Kildare Attractions
Kildare (Cill Dara, "Church of the Oak") lies in the east of Ireland on the Dublin-Limerick road (N7), in a slightly elevated position compared with the surrounding countryside.
St Brigid of Kildare (453-521), who ranks with St Patrick as Patron Saint of Ireland, founded a famous double monastery for monks and nuns here, headed jointly by a bishop as abbot and an abbess. The nuns tended a "perpetual fire" which was extinguished only at the dissolution of the monastery.
Today Kildare is the center of Ireland's horse-breeding and training industry.
St Brigid of Kildare (453-521), who ranks with St Patrick as Patron Saint of Ireland, founded a famous double monastery for monks and nuns here, headed jointly by a bishop as abbot and an abbess. The nuns tended a "perpetual fire" which was extinguished only at the dissolution of the monastery.
Today Kildare is the center of Ireland's horse-breeding and training industry.
St Brigid's Cathedral
Kildare's glorious past is recalled by St Brigid's Cathedral (1223), which has undergone numerous restorations, most recently in 1875-1896. It contains a number of medieval tombs, notably the tomb of one of the Fitzgeralds of Lackagh (d. 1575). In the churchyard stands a fine round tower, 105ft/32m high, which was probably one of the last to be erected in Ireland; it can be climbed without difficulty. The roof is modern.
The 15th C. tower which stands by the market place is all that remains of Kildare Castle.
The 15th C. tower which stands by the market place is all that remains of Kildare Castle.
Kildare Surroundings
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Tully - Irish National Stud, Ireland
The Irish National Stud, where many famous racehorses have been bred, is also home to the Irish Horse Museum. Adjacent to the grounds are the Japanese Gardens.
Curragh Racecourse
To the east of the Irish National Stud, on the southeastern outskirts of Kildare, lies the world famous racecourse, "The Curragh," situated in the plain of the same name. Here the Irish Derby is held every year at the end of June or the beginning of July.
Facilities
Gift shop
Dun Ailinne
Between Kilcullen and Old Kilcullen, on the west side of the N78, stands the hill-fort of Dun Ailinne, once a stronghold of the kings of Leinster. Its 15ft/4.5m high walls enclose an area with a diameter of 150yd/135m. The ditch, unusually, runs inside rather than outside the walls. The site was occupied from the Bronze Age until about 1800.
Hill of Allen
On the Hill of Allen, 5mi/8km north of Kildare on the R415, there once stood a castle belonging to the kings of Leinster. The site is now occupied by a tower (1859) with Latin inscriptions; extensive views.
Monasterevin, Ireland
7mi/11km west of Kildare lies the ancient little market town of Monasterevin, with handsome late 19th C. houses.
To the south of the village is Moore Abbey, an elegant 18th C. house built on the site of an old monastery. It is now a home for the mentally handicapped.
North of Monasterevin the Grand Canal crosses the River Barrow in an aqueduct.
To the south of the village is Moore Abbey, an elegant 18th C. house built on the site of an old monastery. It is now a home for the mentally handicapped.
North of Monasterevin the Grand Canal crosses the River Barrow in an aqueduct.
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