What to expect?
Narrated by Kildare actor Liam Quinlivan; these free guides to the Co. Kildare Monastic Trail will lead you to atmospheric ruins of ancient
monasteries, where you will encounter some of Ireland's best preserved
round towers, panel by panel descriptions of high crosses and
fascinating tales of history and folklore.
The trail extends from the tip of south Kildare to the north of the county close to the border with Dublin and takes in the following locations:
Castledermot Monastery:
Discover beautiful high crosses, a round tower and Ireland's only Scandinavian style Viking hogback grave.
Castledermot Friary:
The remains of a Franciscan monastery that served the bustling medieval town of Castledermot.
Moone High Cross:
Discover the truly monumental Moone High Cross, one of the tallest, best preserved and most celebrated of the Irish high crosses.
Old Kilcullen:
Discover this ancient monastery that overlooks the beautiful countryside of Co. Kildare with segments of a high cross and a round tower.
St Brigid's Cathedral:
Hear the story of Ireland's foremost female saint as this wonderfully atmospheric site.
Clane:
The site of St Ailbe's monastery, and where the Franciscans established a 13th century foundation.
Taghadoe:
The remains of a monastery founded by St Tua the Silent, with a fine round tower.
Oughterard:
A hilltop monastic site with a round tower and a ruined church, which has become famous as the burial place of Arthur Guinness.
Downloads
The free audioguide can be downloaded from Abarta Audioguides at the following link:
www.abartaheritage.ie
The free audio-visual guide can be downloaded from www.guidigo.com at the following link:
www.guidigo.com
Credits
This audioguide was produced by Abarta Audioguides in conjunction with
Kildare County Council and with the kind support of the Heritage
Council. Abarta Audioguides would like to thank Sharon Greene of Castledermot Local
History Group, Noel Dunne National Roads Authority archaeologist, Mario
Corrigan of Kildare Library Service and Kildare Heritage Officer Bridget
Loughlin for all of their advice, support and information during the
production of this guide.
This audioguide is an action of the County Kildare Heritage Plan.