Sallins is a small town in Kildare just a few miles from the larger towns of Naas and Newbridge. The name Sallins is the anglicised name of Na Solláin which means "The Willows".  It is home to a very unusal "Tin Church" which was built in 19824 as a temporary structure, the Helpful Engineer blog has a wonderful informative description of this church.

Things to see and do in Sallins

• Visit Bodenstown Graveyard, the burial place of Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the leaders of the 1798 rebellion
  How to get to Bodenstown Graveyard from Sallins
• Enjoy the canal with a walk to the Leinster Aquaduct where the Grand Canal flows over the River Liffey
• Take a relaxing cruise along the canal with Bargetrip.ie.

Places to eat

Lock 13 Gastro Pub
Tel: 00 353 45 850 500

Two Cooks
Tel: 00 353 45 853 768

How to get to Sallins

Rathangan is a small town on the edge of the Bog of Allen, located about 9 miles from Kildare Town. The town gets its name from the Rath of Iomghain (c. 600AD) which sits just outside the town on the Offaly border. The Rath is approximately 55 metres in diameter, 13 metres from base to summit is encircled by a large ditch which is about 230 meters in circumference. The survival of the Rath illustrates the continuity of human settlement in Rathangan for well over 1000 years. Rathangan has both The Grand Canal and the Slate River running through it and so is a popular town for fishing and walkers alike.

Things to see and do in Rathangan

• Explore the beautiful Killinthomas Woods, home of the BlueBells & Buskers Festival each year in May
• Take a relaxing walk along the bank of the Grand Canal, or for the more energetic, hike the towpath to Monasterevin
• Learn about the Bog of Allen and have a great family day out at Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park and the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

Places to eat

Darchini Restaurant, Bridge Street.
Tel: 00 353 45 528 798

How to get to Rathangan

Newbridge, officially known by its Irish name Droichead Nua, is the largest town in Kildare with a population of almost 30,000.  It is Kildares commercial centre and boasts plenty of great shopping facilities from the glamorus Newbridge Silverware to high street shops such as Penny's and Marks & Spencers.

The town is home to the county Arts Centre, The Riverbank Arts Centre, and the county Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) pitch, St. Conleth's Park on Main Street, a great place to take in hard-fought club matches.

Where to Stay in Newbridge

Click here for Accommodation in Newbridge

Things to see and do in Newbridge

• Visit the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware
• Take in a show, movie or exhibition at the Riverbank Arts Centre
• Spoil yourself at the atmospheric Keadeen Hotel with fabulous leisure facilities and relaxing afternoon tea
• The Liffey Linear Park is the perfect place to end your day in Newbridge with a picnic and an evening stroll along the fast-moving waters.

Places to eat

Judge Roy Beans, Edward Street.
Tel: 00 353 45 438 077

An Chistin Café & Restaurant, George's Street.
Tel: 00 353 45 434 900

Foodhall, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Main Street.
Tel: 00 353 449 0002

How to get to Newbridge

Naas is the administrative and provincial capital of County Kildare. The name, Naas, in Irish Nás-na-Riogh, means "The Place of Assembly of the Kings".  It is a pleasant old town situated along the Grand Canal with a great array of cafés, pubs, hotels and boutiques. St. Mary's Church and St. David's Church are two beautiful historic buildings in the town and well worth a visit.

Where to Stay in Naas

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Things to see and do in Naas

• Take a stroll along the Grand Canal from the harbour where you can feed the swans or just relax and take in your natural surroundings
• Need an adrenalin rush? Visit Mondello Park, Ireland's only international race circuit, click here for upcoming track days
• Enjoy some afternoon tea and browse the arts & culture centre at McAuley Place
• Visit the Moat Theatre, a local theatre who run great productions and exhibition all year round
• Naas is also close to two racecourses, Naas & Punchestown making it a great place to visit if you are a race-goer.

Places to eat

Vie de Châteaux, Harbour View.
Tel: 00 353 45 888 478

Siblings Cafe, Monread Leisure & Commercial Centre, Block 1 Monread Ave, Monread South, Naas.
Tel: 00 353 45 889 819

Home Café & Restaurant, John's Ln, Naas East, Naas.

Tel: 00 353 45 881 547

Las Rada Wine & Tapas Bar, New Row
Tel: 00 353 45 879 978

How to get to Naas

Find out more about Naas here

Monasterevin, often known as the Venice of Ireland is named after the 6th century Monastery of St. Eimhin (Evin). Sadly, nothing remains of this monastery but in 1607, Moore Abbey was built on the grounds. The woodlands of this old abbey are a wonderful place to meander around while admiring the centuries-old native Irish trees.  The famous poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins (28 July 1844 – 8 June 1889) took several trips to stay in Monasterevin, writing about it in his journals and letters. The residents still celebrate his love for the town with the Hopkins Festival each year, run by the Monasterevin Hopkins Society.

Where to Stay in Monasterevin

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Things to see and do in Monasterevin

• Tour the Barrow Way by boat or on-foot from Monasterevin, taking in the wonderful natural environment, quaint houses and bridges that line the banks along the way
• A fly-fisherman would not be left wanting in Monasterevin with 3 different waterways to hone their skills, contact Monasterevin Coarse Anglersfor some tips!
• Venture a 20 minute outside the town to the Irish National Stud and Gardens.

Places to eat

Chen's Chinese, Dublin Street
Tel: 00 353 45 525999.

How to get to Monasterevin

Maynooth is the popular university town in north Kildare, home to Maynooth College, which was founded in 1795 and is famous for the education of the Irish Catholic priests. The college is now part of the National Universities of Ireland and educates people in all strands of academia. The name in Irish, Magh Nuadhat’, means the plain of Nuadhat, the maternal grandfather of the legendary Fionn MaCumhail.

Although the town itself is quite new, having been established in the 1700's, Maynooth as a settlement has a long and varied history.  It was one of the principal seats of the Kildare branch of the Fitzgerald Family of whom John, the 6th Earl of Kildare erected a magnificent castle in 1426, Maynooth Castle. The castle was where the Silken Thomas, son of Garret Óg (ninth Earl of Kildare) rebelled against the King who had arrested his father. Unfortunately he was defeated and along with 5 uncles, executed in London.  Maynooth Castle then became a royal castle and popular residence for the Lord Deputies of Ireland.

The town today is a vibrant commuter & student town with lots of walks, cafés, eateries and things to do.

 Accommodation in Maynooth

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Things to see and do in Maynooth

• Spoil yourself at Carton House with a game of golf or some afternoon tea, if you time your visit well you may even see the Irish Rugby Team out practising their game!
• Step back in time with a tour of 13th Century Maynooth Castle (Seasonal opening times)
• For some indoor family fun on a rainy day, Airtastic Entertainment Centreis located just 10 minutes outside the town
• For the adventurous, hike on the Royal Canal way, all the way from Maynooth to the midlands.

Places to eat

Picaderos Argentinian Grill & Spanish Restaurant, Desmond House, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 629 2806

Avenue Café/Bar, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 628 5003

Oak Alley Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 610 6558

The Coffee Mill Bistro, Mill Street.
Tel: 00 353 87 294 1651

How to get to Maynooth

Kildare is one of the oldest towns in Ireland dating back to the 5th Century.  It is located on the edge of the Curragh plains just a 40 minute drive from Dublin Airport.

For a small town, Kildare has a very large history. The original market house serves as both a Heritage Centre and Failte Ireland Tourist Office. It houses an immersive Virtual Reality Experience that takes the visitor through the stories of the Fianna, Brigid the Goddess, St Brigid and the arrival of the Normans, a great starting point for any trip to Kildare Town. The Centre opens from Monday – Saturday, 9.30am-5pm (lunch 1-2pm).

For a more in-depth study of the town check out the Kildare Town Conservation Management Interpretation Plan.

Click here for a self-guided audio tour of The Kildare Town Heritage Trail

Click here for Accommodation In Kildare Town

Things to see and do in Kildare Town

Saint Brigids Cathedral: Built on the site that was once home to St.Brigid this beautifully restored Norman Cathedral was built to an early gothic design. Rebuilt between 1223/1230 the Cathedral is home to the ruins of St Brigids Firetemple.

NOTE: St Brigid's Cathedral and Round Tower is Open From May until September 

Please visit their website: www.stbrigidscathedral.com

For all bookings please email Margaret Dunne on mandkdunne@gmail.com 

The Round Tower: This tower is the highest accessible round tower in Ireland and the second tallest overall. Standing at just over 107 feet (almost 33 meters) the Kildare Round Tower can be seen as you approach the Town. With beautiful views over County Kildare and beyond it is well worth the climb.

Opening Times for St. Brigid's Cathedral & Round Tower: 1st May - 30th September, 10am - 4:45pm (Closed for lunch 1-2pm).
For groups of 10+ the Cathedral can be opened by prior arrangement all year round, please contact the Cathedral directly ( email mandkdunne@gmail.com) , bookings are no longer availbel through the Heritage Centre. 
Admission Costs: Cathedral suggested donation €2. Climb the Tower, €4 (€2 Concession fee)

The White, The Grey & The Black Abbeys:  Three new religious foundations were established in and around Kildare Town in the 13th century. They were known locally by the colour of the habits worn by the monks – Grey, White and Black. All were dissolved at the time of the Reformation and were in ruins by the 18th century.

Saint Brigid’s Well: Located close to the Black Abbey, this well is a site for religious devotion particularly on St. Brigid’s annual feast day February 1st.

The Irish National Stud and Gardens: Established in the early 1900's, this very popular attraction is home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds and is a source of national pride along. The Japanese Gardens, designed by Tasa Eida were developed to compliment the Stud and in the 1990's St. Fiachra's Gardens opened alongside these.

Kildare Shopping Village: Kildare Village is one of nine Chic Outlet shopping villages in Europe. With plenty of boutiques offering savings of up to 60% all year round.

The Gordon Bennett Route & Classic Car Rally: Kildare Town is on the Gordon Bennett Route, a historical route which follows the famous Gordon Bennett Cup Race of 1903.

Places to eat in Kildare Town

Agape Gourmet Sandwich Bar, 4 Nugent Street, Station Road
Tel: 00 353 45 533711

Café K, Claregate Street
Tel: 00 353 87 6685044

Chapter 16, Market Square
Tel: 00 353 45 522 232

Cunninghams Bar & Restaurant,  Market Square
Tel: 00 353 45 521780

Hartes Bar & Grill,  Market Square
Tel: 00 353 45 533557

The Gallops, Kildare House Hotel, Dublin Road
Tel: 00 353 45 520 002

How to get to Kildare Town

There are many different ways to visit us here in Kildare Town, check our Contact Us page for more information.

Kilcullen is a pleasant old market town where you can while away a calm afternoon on the banks of the River Liffey. The town is sometimes referred to as the gateway to Wicklow due to its proximity to the county and is part of the Gordon Bennett Classic Car Run each year as it was on the original route in 1903.  The Kilcullen Historical Society display interesting artefacts in the Kilcullen Heritage Centre which also houses a 114 seat theatre.

Accommodation in Kilcullen

Things to see and do in Kilcullen

• Experience the heritage of this quaint town at the Kilcullen Heritage Centre - open Mon-Thurs, 9:15am - 1:15pm & Fri, 9:15am - 12:45pm
• Take a walk along the banks of the river Liffey
• Enjoy Mother Nature at her best at Camphill, Kilcullen Farm & Nature Trail with a selection of walks, seating areas and farmyard animals.

Click here for a self-guided tour of the Kildare Monastic Trail which features the stunning site of Old Kilcullen

Places to eat

Fallons of Kilcullen, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 45 481 260

Bardons Bar, Restaurant & Guesthouse, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 45 482 286

How to get to Kilcullen