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

 

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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

                               

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

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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