Ardfert is a modern, busy, expanding village offering a small selection of shops, pubs, restaurants and local services and amenities, but also with a rich heritage. It is located just 5 miles north of Tralee (one mile before Banna Beach).

From its early foundation as a monastic settlement in the 6th century under the patronage of St Brendan the Navigator, it survived, to become A monastery was founded here by St. Brendan "The Navigator" in the 6th century. There are three medieval churches, an ogham stone and a number of early Christian and medieval grave slabs on the site today. The earliest building is the cathedral which dates from the 12th - 17th centuries. It has a fine Romanesque west doorway, a magnificent 13th century east window and a spectacular row of nine lancets in the south wall. Two effigies of ecclesiastical figures of late 13th - early 14th century are mounted on either side of the east window. The battlements were added in the 15th century. The pre-12th century block of masonry is clearly visible in the north wall. One of the two smaller churches is a fine example of late Romanesque and the other is a plain 15th century structure with an interesting carving of a wyvern on one of the windows.