Mid Kildare Tourist Route

 

23-27 :: 28-33

28. KILDARE TOWN HERITAGE CENTRE

Market Square, Kildare Town
T: 045 530672
E: kildaretownheritagecen@ireland.com
ENTRANCE CHARGE

Situated in the restored 18th century market house is a multi-media exhibition centre telling the story of the town of Kildare, past and present. The Heritage Centre, located opposite St. Brigid's Cathedral, is an ideal point from which to explore the ancient treasures of Kildare. There is also a Tourist Information Centre located in the Market House.
Open all year

29. ST. BRIGID'S CATHEDRAL AND ROUND TOWER, KILDARE

Market Square, Kildare Town
T: 045 530672
www.kildare.ie/heritage
ENTRANCE CHARGE

On the site where St. Brigid reputedly founded a monastery in 480 AD, the cathedral started out as a small 'kill' or church, built near a great oak tree. It was from the church and tree that the surrounding area took its name Cill Dara meaning "church of the oak". Although heavily restored in modern times, the cathedral, and its adjacent round tower, reflects the style of 8th century Christian settlements. Outside the cathedral are the remains of an ancient High cross.
Open May to September (group visits can be arranged at other times)

30. IRISH NATIONAL STUD, JAPANESE GARDENS & ST. FIACHRA'S GARDEN, KILDARE

Tully, Kildare Town
T: 045 521251
E: stud@irish-national-stud.ie
W: www.irish-national-stud.ie
ENTRANCE CHARGE

See the top quality thoroughbreds, mares and foals for which County Kildare is famous on a fascinating guided tour. Add to that the joy of discovering the Japanese Gardens created between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese gardener Tassa Eida and his son. To complement them, the Irish National Stud created an Irish garden in 1999, dedicated to the patron Saint of Irish gardeners, St Fiachra. This new addition is a water and rock garden with a monastic cell as the centrepiece, which has hand-crafted Waterford Crystal flowers embedded in its floor. The refurbished Horse Museum opens in 2005.
Open February - November

31. MOORE ABBEY WOOD, MONASTEREVIN

T: 045 528986/0862576709

A broadleaf plantation managed by Coillte, the forestry service, with a variety of walks, picnic tables and car park, adjacent to the M7. Visit in April and May for a spectacular display of bluebells.
Open all year

32. MONASTEREVIN'S BRIDGES

Monasterevin is an historic town on the scenic River Barrow and the Grand Canal. It is named after the 6th century St. Evin, who established a monastery there. This is a town of many bridges, the oldest being the Ballagh or Pass Bridge. Also of note is the aqueduct carrying the Grand Canal over the Barrow River and the Lifting bridge, once cranked by hand, the largest and most elaborate of several examples on the Barrow waterway. The town has associations with the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins who is honoured with a summer school each year.

33. RATHANGAN

Rathangan gets its name from 'Iomghain's Rath', the remains of which still can be seen at the top of the town. 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. The Tannery Park is adjacent to the Grand Canal and is an amenity area in the town of Rathangan.

Finish the Tour :: Touring Routes

 

23-27 :: 28-33