Touring Kildare

County Kildare is a county of peat and agricultural land, forests, rivers and 75 miles of canal waterways. The Royal, Grand, and Barrow are the three major county canals, formerly used for industrial purposes. The county is also noted for its connections with horse breeding and racing.

Athy, on the river Barrow in southern Kildare, is the largest town in the county. 16th century White’s Castle (a National Monument but private) was built beside the Crom-a-Boo bridge to fortify the river crossing. In the Athy Heritage Centre is an exhibition on polar explorer Ernest Shackelton. A Georgian Market House sits in the town centre.



In the far south of the county, Moone is famous for its granite high cross (restored in the 19th century), considered one of the finest in Ireland. It stands in the grounds of a ruined 13th century church. At Castledermot in St James church grounds are two 9th century high crosses and a 10th century round tower marking the site of a monastery. There are also the foundations of a 14th century Franciscan friary at the south end of the town. It was plundered by Scotland’s Robert the Bruce in 1317.The former Kilkea castle built in 1180 and now restored is a hotel and restaurant.

East of Athy is the town of Ballitore, founded by Yorkshire Quakers. In the town is an 18th century Quaker meeting house, now a library with a museum on the local Quaker history. Crookstown Mill, a restored 1840 cornmill has a museum with details on baking and milling, local history, a tearoom and craft shop. Three miles east of Ballitore are the ruins of Castle Inch. Also in the area is the Rath of Mullaghmast, a complex of ring forts, barrows, earthworks, and a standing stone.

Heading north of Athy we come to Monasterevin, an historic town on the river Barrow and the Grand Canal. An aqueduct, a number of bridges, and a riverside park reinforce its watery location. 18th century Moore Abbey, a historic home south of the town, was built in the gothic style. It took the place of an original 1619 home and is now a hospital.

At Lullymore, Rathangan, the Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park has indoor exhibitions, replicas of ancient dwellings, woodland and bogland walkways, and theme gardens. The Peatland World Museum, in a 19th century building, gives information on the history and science of boglands. A craft shop and restaurant are added amenities.

Eastward is the cathedral town of Kildare. St Brigid’s originated in the 13th century but was reconstructed in the 19th. Inside are stained glass windows, a medieval font, and ancient tombs. Climb the round tower in the market square for countryside views. A multi-media presentation is offered in the Kildare Town Heritage Centre in the market house.

Kildare is a horse breeding area, and this is reflected in the Curragh plains, 5000 acres of common land east of Kildare. The area has been a horse-racing centre for two millenium and is home to three racecourses: The Curragh, Punchestown, and Naas. The Irish National Stud is located at Tully House in the village of Tully. The stud farm has a horse museum and Japanese gardens of 1910. Also in the grounds are the two-mile Tully Walk and the ruins of Black Abbey.

North of the town of Kildare is the village of Robertstown. The Robertstown Grand Canal Hotel, which was opened in 1801, was one of five hotels built along the canal to cater to the passing trade on the barges. It now houses a restaurant, the Canal Heritage Centre, and an Art Gallery. Other attractions are a falconry, barge tours on the canal, and walks on the canal towpaths. In August the village holds a Grand Canal festival.

At Celbridge, north-east of Robertstown, is a 13-bay Palladian country mansion, Castletown House, constructed in 1722. Guided tours are offered here as well as at Celbridge Abbey. The Lyons Gardens at Hazelhatch, Celbridge, are part of an agricultural college and are open to view.

North-east of Kildare is Naas, the county town of Kildare, noted for its racecourse. Nearby, Coolcarrigan House and Gardens offers eight acres of rhododendrons, rockeries, shrubs, trees, and a greenhouse. 18th century Harristown House is north of Kilcullen on the river Liffey and Naas. Riverside walks are available. In the old graveyard at Kilcullen are the ruins of a round tower and a high cross.

St John’s churchyard in Ballymore Eustace, west of Kilcullen, has two monolithic granite crosses. Nearby in Blessington is an 18th century mansion house, Russborough, home to the Beit art collection, furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain, silver, and bronzes. The village of Kill is a tidy village award winner. Kill hill is home to an earthen enclosure and a mote. From Kill (ask for directions) drive to Georgian Furness House, built in the Palladian style in the late 18th century. Highlights are the plasterwork and woodcarvings.

Between Kildare and Naas is Newbridge (Droichead Nua), with nearby Pollardstown Fen, an alkaline marsh on the northern margin of the Curragh. It spans 550 acres and has 35 streams. Formed at the end of the last ice age, it’s an important plant habitat. The Grand Canal gets its water from the fen.

Moving north of Naas to the border of county Kildare leads to Maynooth. The castle remains include a 13th century keep (shown by guided tour), a gatehouse, and a great hall. St Patrick’s College houses the Maynooth Ecclesiastical Museum and gardens. There is a visitor centre that offers guided tours.

Just beside Maynooth is Kilcock, on the banks of the Royal canal. Here are the Larchill Arcadian Gardens. The 18th century parkland contains a lake and a number of gothic and classical follies. Rare breeds can be viewed and food purchased at the farm shop.

East of Maynooth is the town of Leixlip. At Lexilip you can take a guided tour of the medieval castle (18th century gothic additions) and view the plasterwork and tapestry. An aqueduct crosses the river Rye here.