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The Barrow Way Walking Routes

Here the Barrow Way is divided up into six sections, ranging in length from 23 kilometres to 6 kilometres. ( Photo taken from http://www.riverbarrow.net/barrow-way.html )

Why not go and enjoy this scenic route into the heart of rural Ireland by canoe, bike or on foot. Connect with friends and family as you escape to unique natural environments.

Explore The Barrow Way Website

A comprehensive website with map and walking route details it also features activities and attractions and much more.

Photo taken from flip book ( https://www.kildare.ie/kildaresp/TowpathTrails/?page=1)

Towpath Trails Online Booklet

For more information on the Barrow Way other walking routes have a look at the Towpath Trails Booklet online. It gives information on The Royal Canal, The Grand Canal and The Barrow Line. A beautifully illustrated book which gives you the km/ miles for each trail so you can choose one that suits you best.

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The Royal Canal Greenway Walking Routes

The Royal Canal Greenway

The Royal Canal Greenway is a walking route which starts from Maynooth and stretches as far as Enfield and beyond. It is a route along the canal and so is easy to access. There is lots to do along the route and plenty of nearby attractions.

Discover the Royal Canal Greenway, a 130km scenic walking and cycling route.

Click on the link below to bring you to the intokildare website for a printable map and more information

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The Curragh


The name Curragh comes from the Irish word "currach" which translates as "plain", a place of the running horse.  The Curragh is Ireland's largest, finest, and possibly only, example of a surviving ancient lowland unenclosed grassland. The 5,000 acres stretch from Kildare Town to Newbridge. The Curragh is surrounded on all sites by good, fertile lands however, it itself supports nutrient poor acid grasslands, severely deficient in lime and phosphorous.

The Curragh is unique in terms of it's natural and cultural heritage.  This distinctive landscape houses the main training center for the Irish Army, a military museum, the premier racecourse for Ireland, Pollardstown Fen, Ireland's oldest golf club, and many ancient barrows and raths.

Many famous Irish characters, including St. Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, Fionn MacCumhail and in more recent times, Dan Donnelly, the boxer are synonymous with this special place. The Curragh is also the birthplace of motor racing as it is where the first ever formal road race in Britain & Ireland was held with the Gordon Bennett Rally, 1903.

Click here to learn more about The Story of The Curragh

Things to see and do at The Curragh

Accommodation

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How to get to The Curragh

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The Curragh is also very accessible from Kildare Town or Newbridge.


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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.

Accommodation in Leixlip

Things to see and do in Leixlip

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

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Find out more about Leixlip here


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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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Sallins


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

    


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Rathangan


The Grand Canal Rathangan

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

Places to eat

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

How to get to Rathangan

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A Glimpse of Rathangan

We have put together a few images of Rathangan to give you a taster of what the town has to offer, we hope you enjoy.

Audio Guide of Rathangan

Discover the stories of this picturesque town, situated in the heart of Ireland's Ancient East with this free audio guide

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Prosperous


Prosperous is a relatively new town in Co. Kildare. It's owes it's origins to Sir. Robert Brooke who, in the late 18th century made an attempt to establish a cotton manufacturers there, however less than 10 years later, due to lack of finances the cotton manufacturing came to a halt.  While the large-scale manufacturing did stop, it wasn't until 1798 when disturbances caused by the rebellion of that year caused cotton work to become a thing of the past in Prosperous.

Today the Prosperous village is popular with music lovers as it hosts it's own Music Festival each year and hosts a very active Drama Society. There are also many attractions for nature lovers in the area such as Ballinafagh Lake, Donadea Forest Park, The Prosperous Maze and more.

Things to see in Prosperous

  • Like many towns in Kildare, the canal in Landenstown just outside Prosperous offers scenic walks and good fishing opportunities
  • Take a trip just a mile outside the town to see the magnificent Ballinafagh Church
  • If you are looking for something a little different check out the Kildare Maze, animals and adventure await!
  • Donadea Forest Park is just a short drive from the village, a must see for walkers, history buffs and those who enjoy nature at its best.

Places to eat Prosperous

Dowlings
Tel: 00 353 45 840 940

How to get to Prosperous

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Find out more about Prosperous here

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Newbridge


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

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Naas

Naas

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

Click here for Accommodation in Naas

 

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

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Find out more about Naas here

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Upcoming Events

  1. Collector Market Fair - Newbridge Town Hall

    July 9 @ 11:00 am - December 17 @ 4:30 pm
  2. Cill Dara Historical Society Monthly Talks : Cromwell was framed: Ireland 1649

    December 6 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Upcoming Events

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