County Kildare has a large variety of shops to suit all tastes, here is a listing of just some of the bigger complexes and more unusual stores. If we have forgotten your shop or if you know of one that should be included please let us know here!
Crookstown Craft Village
Opening Hours (November)
Monday 10.00 - 18.00
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday 10.00 - 18.00
Saturday 10.00 - 18.00
Sunday Closed
Tel: +353 (0)86 1514 270.
Crookstown Craft Village is a creative space for craftspeople and those who love crafts. A hub where beautiful handmade objects can be designed and bought or just enjoyed.
They also now stock a huge array of other gift items. Potters, artists, knitters, felters, jewellery makers and pop- up craftspeople work side by side in a cluster of colourful, wooden studios and shops
Find out more about Crookstown Craft Village here
Gift shop: Kildare Town Heritage Centre
Opening Hours
Monday 10.00 - 16.45
Tuesday 09.30 - 16.45
Wednesday 09.30 - 16.45
Thursday 09.30 - 16.45
Friday 09.30 - 16.45
Saturday 10.00 - 16.45
Sunday Closed
To find out more about Kildare Town Heritage Centre, click here or call +353 (0)45 530 672.
Situated in a 17th Century Market House in Kildare Town, Kildare Town Heritage Centre is not only a Heritage Centre but also a Fáilte Ireland tourist office featuring a beautiful gift shop.
The products on offer are primarily craft items, many of which are totally unique to the gift shop at The Kildare Town Heritage Centre. Visitors can also find many souvenirs such as postcards, magnets and key rings to take home from their trip to Kildare. The gift shop also sells many books from local authors, myth's and legends, to books on local history and a beautiful range for childrens books.
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Whitewater Shopping Centre
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Opening Hours
Monday 09.30 - 18.00
Tuesday 09.30 - 18.00
Wednesday 09.30 - 18.00
Thursday 09.30 - 21.00
Friday 09.30 - 21.00
Saturday 09.30 - 18.00
Sunday 11.00 - 18.00
To find out more about The Whitewater Shopping Centre, simply visit their website or call, +353 (0)45 449 002.
Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, County Kildare, is one of Ireland's largest shopping centres outside of Dublin. It features three anchor mega stores: Debenhams, Marks and Spencer's and H&M. Plus over 60 leading retailers, including big brand names like Zara, Kilkenny Shop, Skechers, Carraig Donn, River Island, Pull and Bear and many more.
Customers can park in one of their 1,700 spaces for only €4 per day. There is also a 650 seat food court to enjoy lunch in while resting tired feet. The Centre also features an Odeon Cinema.
Newbridge Silverware
Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 6pm
Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am - 6pm
Please note the restaurant closes at 5pm.
To find out more about Newbridge Silverware, simply visit their website or call, +353 (0)45 431 301.
Since 1934, Newbridge Silverware has been Ireland's premier designer and producer of homeware and giftware products and it is this unique history of craftsmanship and experience, combined with a contemporary and fresh attitude to design, that puts Newbridge Silverware on the cutting edge of modern living.
Newbridge Silverware Today
A whole new generation and market recognises Newbridge Silverware as a major name in design for many aspects of their lifestyles - jewellery, accessories, gifts, kitchenware, leather wares and interiors.
The craft facility at Newbridge Silverware is the last fully integrated manufacturing plant of its kind left in Europe with a team of fully skilled craftspeople continuing to create whole ranges of cutlery and jewellery.
The brand has also sponsored some of the best known events in the Irish calendar including The Rose of Tralee. In 2003 Newbridge received the exclusive honour to design and manufacture the torch for the Special Olympics.
The Museum of Style Icons
The museum, rated as one of the top 5 free Tourist attraction in Ireland also features artefacts from some of the most notable stars and celebrities including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Michael Flatley, the Beatles and many more.
Kildare Village
Opening Hours
For opening hours and to find out more about Kildare Village Outlet Shopping, simply visit their website or call, +353 (0)45 520 501.
For a great day out, nestled within landscaped grounds and presented in an authentic village environment, Kildare Village is the perfect luxury shopping destination.
You will find it difficult to resist temptation with over 80 brands such as Louise Kennedy, Gucci, Armani, Brooks Brothers, Anya Hindmarch and Hugo Boss offering up to 60% off all year around.
L'Officina, Dunne & Crescenzi’s ultra-modern Italian restaurant offers breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch and wonderful wines for you to imbibe while you deliberate over your next purchase. Starbucks is the perfect spot for a restorative coffee and treat.
A morning or afternoon spent browsing 80 exclusive brands offering luxury for less in a chic and casual open-air environment is truly time well spent.
Kildare Village is one of the Collection of nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages by Value Retail.
St. Brigid's Sacred Sites & Stories
St. Brigid
Mary of the Gael – is the patroness of Ireland. Her feast day St. Brigid's Day, is on the 1st February (she died around 523 or 524 AD) and is celebrated each year in the town under the auspices of the Brigidine Sisters during the festival called Féile Bride (Festival of St. Brigid).
This festival, which takes place around St. Brigid's Day, 1st February, is a five day event organised by the Brigidine Sisters. It features a pilgrimage to St. Brigid's Well on the eve of the feast day and a peace and justice conference. Local schools are involved in bringing the story of St. Brigid to life through weaving of crosses and dramatisations of her life.
The celebration of the Eucharist and other creative rituals are conducted in the local churches and at St Brigid’s Well. Artists entertain those who come to a feast of poetry, music, song and dance. Locals and visitors together explore places associated with Brigid in Kildare Town and The Curragh. Féile Bríde attracts participants from many countries.
St. Brigid is forever associated with Kildare Town and The Curragh is known as St. Brigid’s Pastures. According to legend, it was granted to St. Brigid by the King of Leinster in return for reducing the size of his ears. Having agreed to settle for a portion of land that her cloak would cover, Brigid threw down her cloak and it spread until it encompassed the whole Curragh (5,000 acres).
Text taken from "The Hundred Acres, Kildare Town Slí na Sláinte and Heritage Trail” by Mario Corrigan & “Rekindling the Flame” by Rita Minehan (Both available in our gift shop)
St. Brigid's Cathedral & Round Tower
NOTE: St Brigids Cathedral and Round Tower are open May to September
Please Note the Round Tower is not accessible to the public until further notice from May 2023 as it is undergoing restoration works please contact the Cathedral directly for any further questions .
This marks the original site of the Church of St Brigid (Patroness of Ireland) which was established under an oak tree. The original stone Cathedral was built by Ralph De Bristol, Bishop of Kildare in 1223 AD. The modern Cathedral was almost completely rebuilt in the late 19th Century. Within the grounds you have Ireland's Highest accessible Round Tower (12th Century) and the remains of St. Brigid’s Firehouse where her inextinguishable fire was kept by her Sisters until the time of the reformation. In 1993, the sacred flame was symbolically relit in Market Square in Kildare Town by Mary Teresa Cullen, the then leader of the Brigidine Sisters. Kildare County Council commissioned a sculpture to house the flame in Kildare Town Square in 2005. President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, presided at the lighting of the Perpetual Flame in the Town Square on St. Brigid’s Day 2006. The Sacred flame was lit from the flame tended by the Brigidine Sisters in the new Solas Bhríde Centre on Tully Road in Kildare.
Cathedral & Round Tower Opening Times
Please contact the Cathedral direclty with any queries on kildarecathedral@gmail.com
1st of May until 30th September
Monday-Saturday, 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm
Sundays 2pm to 5pm. Last entrance is 4.45pm daily.
The Three Abbeys of Kildare Town
Kildare Town is home to three Abbeys of great historical importance. The Grey & the White Abbeys were founded by Lord of Kildare & Justiciar of Ireland, William de Vesci in 1254 & 1290 respectively. The Black Abbey was founded in 1212 in Tully by the Knights Hospitaller.
The White Abbey
Click here for a short audio guide for the White Abbey
Founded in 1290 by William De Vesci Lord of Kildare. It was a Carmelite foundation but became known as the White Abbey because of the colour of the Carmelites habits. It was surrendered to the Crown in 1539 during the Reformation but the Carmelites returned to Kildare around 1710. The Carmelites of the White Abbey celebrated the 700th anniversary of their foundation in 1990.
The Grey Abbey
Click here for a short audio guide for the Grey Abbey
The abbey lies south of the town and its ruins have recently undergone restoration work to stabilize them. The Grey Abbey was supposedly erected by Lord William De Vesci for the Franciscan Friars around 1254 although it was to thrive under the Fitzgeralds. The name, the Grey Abbey simply refers to the colour of the habit that the monks wore. At least four Earls of Kildare are buried there. A Grey Abbey Conservation project has been underway for the past number of years, you can find out more about it on the Grey Abbey Conservation page.
The Black Abbey
Click here for a short audio guide of the Black Abbey
The abbey ruins are in the grounds of the Irish National Stud. The Knights Hospitallers or Knights of St. John of Jerusalem founded the Black Abbey sometime before 1212 at Tully. The Abbey thrived under the patronage of the various Lords of Kildare but remained a Hospitaller preceptory until it was surrendered to the Crown during the Reformation. It was known as the Black Abbey because the Hospitallers wore black habits in the preceptory.
Leixlip
Leixlip, derived from Léim an Bhradáin meaning Salmon Leap, is a town in north-east County Kildare. It is located at the confluence of the Rivers Liffey and Rye on Kildare's border with Dublin.
In 1755, Arthur Guinness opened his first brewery in the town before moving to St. James' Gate in Dublin 4 years later. Visitors now have the opportunity to follow in Arthurs' footsteps along the heritage trail, Arthur's Way which takes in Celbridge, the town where he spent his childhood, into Leixlip and on to Oughterard where he is buried.
Things to see and do in Leixlip
- Why not get some fresh air with the many different outdoor pursuits available in Leixlip and nearby such as; Abbeyfield Country Pursuits, fishing on the 3km long Leixlip Reservoir, or golf in the wonderful Palmerstown House
- Stand in awe at the unusual corkscrew shaped building, the Wonderful Barn
- Let the kids run wild at Fort Lucan, an adventure filled outdoor activity centre (Seasonal opening dates).
Places to eat
The Alzheimer Café, Ryevale Nursing Home, Ryevale (Check opening hours beforehand)
Tel: 00 353 89 4933533
da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 624 4908
Rustic Wood Fired Pizza, 5, Barnhall Shopping Centre, Celbridge Rd, Leixlip.
Tel: 00 353 1 615 4444
The Riverbank Restaurant, The Courtyard Hotel, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 629 5100
How to get to Leixlip
Straffan
Straffan is a small village in North County Kildare which was host to the Ryder Cup Golf tournament in 2006. It is a small and picturesque village that is not to be over looked. The village is situated along with Rivers Morell and Liffey and the famous Liffey Descent race starts in Straffan each year.
Things to see and do in Straffan
- Any visit to Straffan should include a visit to the Lodge Park Walled Garden & Steam Museum to see their six huge nineteenth century Stationary Engines and much more finishing with a relaxing walk around the 18th Century walled garden.
- The world-famous K Club is situated about 1 mile from Straffan village. Even if you are not a golfer, 550 acres of parkland ensure that there is plenty to see for any lover of nature.
- If you would like a bit of retail theraphy, Straffan Antiques and Design have something for everyone from local art to instruments and beautiful designer clothes, and of course a tea shop!
Where to Stay in Straffan
Click here for Accommodation in Straffan
Places to eat
Barton Rooms Restaurant, Barberstown Castle.
Tel: 00 353 1 628 8157
Friels Bar & Restaurant, Straffan
Tel: 00 353 89 447 0342
Tearooms, Straffan Antiques & Design.
Tel: 00 353 1 627 4018
How to get to Straffan
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Contact Info
Kildare Town Heritage Centre, Market Square, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Tel: +353 45 530 672
Mobile: +353 871900945
Email: info@kildareheritage.com
Opening Hours
(Lunch 01:00-02:00pm Daily)
Monday 09:30am - 05:00pm
Tuesday 09:30am - 05:00pm
Wednesday 09:30am - 05:00pm
Thursday 09:30am - 05:00pm
Friday 09:30am - 05:00pm
Saturday 09:30am - 05:00pm
Sunday Closed
© 2019 by Kildare Town Heritage Centre