County Kildare Towns and Villages
Rathangan
Rathangan is a small town with a population of approximately 1200 and is located about 9 miles from Kildare Town .
Rathangan attracts numerous anglers to it's fine stretches of water. There is plenty of opportunity for walking and fishing. Parachuting takes place at Clonbullogue , west of the town.
Local History
Rathangan gets its name from 'Iomghains Rath', the
remains of which still can be seen at the top of the town.
Rathangan was originally within the borders of the neighbouring
King's County (now County Offaly), principally belonging
to the Duke of Leinster. Rathangan suffered much upheaval
during the 1798 rebellion and it is said that a bitter conflict
took place between the insurgents and the troops, under Colonel
Longfield, who slaughtered 42 of the inhabitants and hanged
twelve. Much of the present town developed after 1784 when
the Grand Canal was built on its way south to Monasterevin
and Athy. The town's elegant proportions come from the layout
and design of houses originally built for canal engineers
and the presence of the larger houses of the gentry, including
the former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Leinster.
During the 14th century Rathangan was mentioned in records on account of a visit by Edward Bruce in 1315, and in 1331 because the young earl of Kildare died there; seven years later fourteen knights were dubbed there. A joyous occasion at Rathangan, in the mid-15th century, was an entertainment of brehons, poets, bards, harpers and musicians from all over Ireland on the Feast of the Assumption 1433. Margaret O'Connor was hostess to the great assembly of musicians, and when she died 'of a sore in her breast' in 1451 she was praised for her hospitality and her patronage of such public works as road and bridge building
Things To Do
Peatland World
Overlooked by the Hill of Allen lies an oasis
in the heart of the bog. Come to Peatland World and explore
the secrets of the bog's plant and animal life, then trace
the history of the boglands in the visitor centre. Sit
at an old Irish fireside and experience how our ancestors
lived and cut the turf in by-gone days through a variety
of photographic displays and the collection of artefacts
from the past in the Peatland Museum. All groups are catered
for and it is open all year. Facilities include a coffee
shop and souvenir shop.
Lullymore
Heritage Park
Lullymore is a small mineral island that gently
rises from the Bog of Allen and has a population of less
than 200 people. Set on 13 acres in the heart of Lullymore,
the Heritage Park sweeps across 9,000 years of Irish history.
The Heritage Park is an attempt to capture and preserve for
posterity, a flavour of the lives and times of those who
lived there in the past centuries. There is a fairy garden
containing tiny houses which is a huge attraction for children
and there are life size Crannogs scattered throughout the
woods. The Zodiac Garden is divided into different signs
of the zodiac, each sign is represented by it's own flower
and is written in Ogham- ancient Celtic writing. Other facilities
include the theme garden, re-enactments and nature walks,
candle making, craft and souvenir shops and a picnic area.
Pollardstown Fen
Situated just 6 miles from Rathangan is Pollardstown
Fen. Pollardstown Fen is of international importance as this
type of system is now rare in Ireland and Western Europe.
In addition it contains a number of rare vegetation types
and invertebrates, along with an uninterrupted pollen record
of the changes in the composition of its vegetation going
back to the last ice age. The area of the Fen is 220 hectares,
60% of which is state owned. Open to the public