Kilcock is an old market and post-town located at the very north of Co. Kildare.  The Rye Water is a small stream which marks the county border between Co. Kildare and Co. Meath. Several small streets diverge out from Kilcock's Market Square and there are some fine examples of 19th Century homes along these streets.  Although Kilcock is a relatively small town in Kildare, it is very popular with commuters to Dublin and its population is just under 6,000 inhabitants.  The Grand Canal is a major feature in the town with regular Water Polo matches being held during the summer months. The Kilcock water polo club also boasts the highest junior membership of any club in Ireland so is the place to go for children who would like to get involved in a watersport. Kilcock is also situated close to the towns of Clane, Maynooth, Leixlip and Moyvalley, a beautiful, scenic townland in north Kildare which hosts a world-famous golfclub.

Find out more about Kilcock here

Things to see and do in Kilcock

• Have some fun with (or without) the kids and visit an open farm, Clonfert Pet Farm  is around a half an hour drive from Kilcock.
• Get some exercise and practise your swing at Kilcock Golf Club, more details on Leadingcourses.com.

Places to eat

Rye River Café, Market Square
Tel: 00 353 1 651 9322

Hattons Hotel & Bistro
Tel: 00 353 46 955 7024

How to get to Kilcock

             

Clane (“the slanted ford”) is a place of legend and history. As a crossing point of the Liffey, it has been settled since the Stone Age and was on the “Road of Kings” between Tara and Naas. Legends include the killing of King Mesgegra in battle in 33 AD and how his queen, Buan, screamed so hard on being shown his severed head that her heart burst. Clane people have been involved in many of the great events of Irish history, as recorded in the plaques in The Abbey’s Garden of Remembrance.

Where to Stay in Clane

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Things to see in Clane

• Like many towns in Kildare, the beautiful River Liffey offers scenic walks along its banks in Clane
• Take a trip just a mile outside the town to see the magnificent Clongowes Wood College and grounds

Click here for a self-guided tour of the Kildare Monastic Trail which features Clane

• Feel like something more adventurous why not visit Abbeyfield Farm Activity Centre and try your hand at archery, horse riding and much more

Places to eat

Enzo's Pizza Pasta & Gelato, Main St, Abbeyland, Clane, Co. Kildare
Tel : (00 353 45) 893 221

Mode Tapas and Grill, Main St, Abbeyland, Clane, Co. Kildare
Tel: (00 353 45) 861 188

The Tigger Asian Restaurant, The Parade Ring, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 45 838 781

The Oak Bar, Westgrove Hotel.
Tel: 00 353 45 989 900.

How to get to Clane

Find out more about Clane here

The name Celbridge is derived from the Irish 'Cill Droichead' meaning 'The Church of the Bridge. Castletown House, Ireland's finest Palladian country house, is an imposing building established in the town in the year 1722. Celbridge will always be remembered as the home of Vanessa, the ill-fated lover of Dean Swift.

The town has a deep historical background from the Celbridge Abbey with Jonathan Swift to Castletown House.

It is situated close to the K Club, one of Ireland's premier golf clubs and home to the Smurfit European Open.

Where to Stay in Celbridge

"Click here for Accommodation in Celbridge"

Things to see & do in Celbridge

• A visit to Castletown House is well advised. Along with offering tours of the house, visitors can also explore the vast parklands
• Follow in Arthur Guinness's footsteps along Arthur's Way and maybe enjoy a relaxing pint of the black stuff in one of the many pubs in the town
• If you fancy a more modern experience, the Rye River Brewing Company offer a great brewery tour with Simon, their Beer Specialist, from just €20.

Click here for a self-guided tour of the Celbridge Heritage Trail

• Take a free (donations accepted) guided walking tour of the town or a nice relaxing guided canal walk with Breda Konstantin.

Places to eat

The Courtyard Café, Castletown House
Tel: 00353 1 627 9498

The Mucky Duck, Main Street
Tel: 00353 1 627 3446

Celbridge Manor Hotel, Clane Road
Tel: 00353 1 601 3700

Michelangelo Italian & Irish Restaurant, Main Street
Tel: 00353 1 627 1809.

How to get to Celbridge

                              

Castledermot is the southernmost town in Kildare sitting just at the edge of the Wicklow Mountains.  Like many other Kildare towns it has a rich and varied history and therefore is a very interesting place to visit.

Accommodation in Castledermot

Kilkea Lodge Farm: Phone 00 353 59 9145112

Things to see in Castledermot:

The ‘Pigeon Tower’, is really an old bell tower and is all that remains of the Priory Hospital of St John the Baptist which was founded as a leprosy hospital outside the town in 1210 by Walter de Riddlesford and his wife. This tower stands on private property.

‘The Pound’ was original used to impound loose, trespassing or seized animals (e.g for non-payment of rent) in the 19th century. The back wall runs along the line of the medieval town wall.

The Franciscan Friary which was founded around 1247.The Friary was attacked twice by the Scot Edward Bruce during the invasions of Ireland in 1316 & 1317

The Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption which was built c.1830. Inside there is a stained glass window depicting St. Laurence O’Toole who was born nearby at Mullaghreelan.

To find out more about the historic core of the town check out the Castledermot Town Walls Plan here.

Click here for a self-guided tour of the Kildare Monastic Trail which features Castledermot

Places to Eat

Mad Hatter Cafe Unit 1, Keenans Lane
Tel: 00 353 85 714 80 85

How to Get to Castledermot

JJ Kavanaghs Bus Service

From Dublin (City & Airport)
To Dublin (City & Airport)

Ballitore Library & Quaker Museum Opening Hours

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm | Thursday: 12:30pm - 4pm & 4:45pm - 8pm.

How to get to Ballitore

Click here for a Google map

Find out more about Ballitore here.

Athy is an important heritage town in south Kildare.  The town seems to have originated in the mid 1200's with the foundation of two monasteries. The town as we know it today owes much of its development to the development of the canal network and subsequent industrial growth in the 19th century.  Athy is also a town on the historical Gordon Bennett Route, a road race which is celebrated each year with a classic car run. The town is a vibrant town and offers plenty of cafés, shops and pubs for the locals and visitors to enjoy.  The town has a new Ernest Shackleton Museum, it is CLOSED until 2024 due to refurbishments . https://shackletonmuseum.com/

For a more in-depth study of the town check out the Athy Conservation Managment Interperation Plan commissioned 2016.

 

Where to Stay in Athy

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Things to see and do in Athy

• Enjoy a relaxing cruise along tranquil Irish waterways with Athy Boat Tours
• Explore Burtown House and Gardens, an early Georgian villa set in 10 acres of gardens and parkland
• Delve into the adventures of Ernest Shackleton, polar explorer and his crew on Endurance in 1914/1915 at the Ernest Shackleton Museum
• Take a guided walk around this historic town, contact The Athy Heritage Centre-Museum for bookings
• Venture a little outside the town to Moone to see the 8th century, 17.5 foot High Cross.

Places to Eat

Ngai's Oriental Restaurant, 29A Leinster St, Athy
Tel: 00 353 59 863 8008

The Bay Tree Restaurant
Tel: 00 353 59 864 1819

Bailey's Bar & Bistro
Tel: 00 353 59 864 0888

 

How to get to Athy

 

            

 

Find out more about Athy here