Naas (Nas na Ri, "Assembly Place of the Kings"), county town of Kildare county, lies 21mi/34km southwest of Dublin on the N7.
In early times Naas was the seat of the kings of Leinster, whose palace was on the North Mote, to the north of the town. The settlement was fortified by the Normans, and remains of one of their castles are incorporated
in the Church of Ireland rectory. Naas was plundered in 1315 by Robert and Edward Bruce. It is now a thriving industrial town on the edge of the Curragh Plain, celebrated as a horse breeding area. 2.5mi/4km south on the R411 is Punchestown Racecourse, which is famous for its steeplechases.