Things to do in Kildare
Famous for its stud farms, wealthy inhabitants and traffic, Kildare is part millionaire row and part Dublin dormitory.
Firmly at the centre of Ireland's thoroughbred horse industry, Kildare's stud farms are famous worldwide for the quality of their bloodstock, while the flat grassy plains of the Curragh have made it the capital of flat-racing in the country. Pass by at dawn or dusk and you’ll see the sight of racers on the gallops.
The Curragh means race course in ancient Irish and the lowlands around Kildare are fringed with stables.
There are up to 19 race days every year - from March to October, the cream of the crop descend on the Curragh to partake in or enjoy the spectacle of the races. All five of Ireland’s Classic Races are hosted here.
Punchestown, near Naas, hosts some of the most popular Irish meets each year and is also home to the Oxegen rock festival which attracts masses of young revellers every July.
Golf is also a popular activity in the county - the K Club has played host to the Ryder Cup while Luttrellstown Castle while the PGA National Ireland at Palmerstown House in Johnstown is the only course to hold such a designation in Ireland.
Kildare has always been a prosperous county and today many of its stately homes are still in private ownership. Media magnate Tony O’Reilly owns Castlemartin Estate in Kilcullen, Desmond Guinness lives at the medieval Leixlip Castle, and the late Tony Ryan, founder of Ryanair made his home at the magnificent Lyons Demesne where a restaurant is open to the public.
Despite the ever increasing number of housing estates and the congested roads, it's still possible to find tranquil, untouched villages such as Robertstown on the banks of the Royal Canal and Ballitore, the first planned Quaker settlement in Europe.
St. Brigid established her monastic settlement in Kildare in AD490 and the 13th-century cathedral in Kildare town incorporates a 33m-high 10th-century round tower which is one of the few that can be climbed in the country.
An enjoyable tour is the North Kildare Touring Route, which includes some of Ireland's finest houses & gardens, more information can be found at the Kildare Tourist Information Office.
In Athy you can visit the Heritage Centre exhibition to learn about Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton who was born in nearby Kilkea, and in Newbridge the Silverware showrooms display the finest of the county’s crafts.
There is an art gallery with regular exhibitions in Kilcock and an unusual Bluegrass Music Festival in Athy.
See how a stud farm works at the Irish National Stud which was founded by Colonel Johnny Hall (of Johnny Walker whiskey fame) and originally run on astrological principles.
With a limited number of attractions, tourism in the county is largely based around day trips from Dublin. While there is some self-catering accommodation, there are only a few hostels.
One of Ireland's top sporting venues, The Curragh is venue to all the country’s five classic race events - the Irish Derby; The Irish Oaks; The 1000 Guineas; The 2000 Guineas and The St Leger. A day at the races is some of the best entertainment to be had in Kildare. Be aware that accommodation in the area such as hotels and bed and breakfasts book up well in advance.
The Curragh also refers to the plains around the course which are great for walking. An 11km route with marked paths forms part of the The Kildare Way walk.
There are plenty of world-class courses to choose from in Kildare. Ireland’s premier club is The K Club in Straffan, the venue for the 36th Ryder Cup while the nearby Montgomerie Course at Carton House has hosted the Irish Open. Palmerstown House and its Christy O’Connor-designed course in Johnstown is also the home of major golf tournaments while the 18-hole championship golf course in Luttrellstown Castle was refurbished in 2006. It was also the location of David and Victoria Beckham’s glamorous wedding - the first wedding in Europe to be sold to a celebrity magazine for more than E1.5m.