Things to do, places to visit
As you wander through Kildare Town you will straight away get a feeling of community, here you will discover a wondrous friendly world all within walking distance.
Kildare Town Heritage Centre & Tourist Office
The Kildare Town Heritage Centre & Tourist Office is an exciting visitor attraction situated in the picturesque medieval town of Kildare. It is in an area renowned for its bloodstock industry, within 5 minutes drive of the famous Japanese Gardens, National Stud and the Curragh Racecourse.
The beautifully restored 18th century market house is the focal point to explore the unique, vibrant heritage town of Kildare. Visitor information, gift shop and Professional service will make your visit special.
St Brigid’s Flame
President Mary McAleese presented the Perpetual Flame of Brigid to the people of Ireland and beyond on St Brigid’s Day, February 1st 2006. The flame, which burned in Kildare for over fifteen hundred years, continues to be a beacon of hope, justice and peace to our world.
Round Tower
The original tower possibly 6th century succumbed to assault or simply fell into ruin. Its present rebuilding probably dates from the 12th century. The Tower, built of sandstone granite, is 108 feet tall and the highest in Ireland that can still be climbed, although the second highest overall. Open to the general public May – Sept from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 2pm to 5pm Sunday.
St. Brigid’s Fire Temple
On the north side of the Cathedral are the restored foundations of an ancient fire temple. A small fire is lit here every year to celebrate the ritual of the St. Brigid’s feast day on the 1st February. This flame which was symbolically relit in 1993 and is kept in Solas Bhride House, the home of the Order of the Brigidine Sisters.
The White Abbey
The Grey Abbey
The abbey lies south of the town and its ruins are sadly depleted. The Grey Abbey was erected by Lord William De Vesci for the Franciscan Friars in 1260. Eight Earls of Kildare are buried there.
Kildare Village Outlet
St. Brigid’s Well
St. Brigid’s miracles were known all over the world and there are many sites associated with her. None more important than the ancient well at Grallistown where pilgrims still come to seek help or solace and to pray to the remarkable woman that was Brigid. It is a site of veneration and a place of sanctuary and healing.
Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
’Come and see for yourself’ The world renowned National Stud is home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds. Located only an hour from Dublin in Tully, Kildare Town County Kildare, this one thousand acre farm has been in use as a stud farm since 1900. A major tourist attraction, the stud also boasts a fascinating state of the art horse museum, where the history of Ireland’s long standing relationship with her horses is explored and the paraphernalia of riding through the ages is displayed, overlooked by the skeleton of the legendary steeplechaser Arkle. Why not take a stroll around the beautiful Japanese Gardens situated in the grounds of the stud farm. Planned to symbolise the life of man from the cradle to the grave, they are considered the finest of their kind in Europe. Or travel through an underground stone passage to experience the raw beauty of St. Fiachra’s Garden. Designed as a Millennium project, it has four acres of woodland and lakeside walks and invokes the spirituality of the monastic movement in Ireland during the 6th and 7th Centuries.
The Black Abbey
The abbey ruins are in the grounds of the Irish National Stud. The Knights Hospitaller founded the Black Abbey in 1212 at Tully. The De Vesci Family established the abbey and bred horses in Tully before they lost their Kildare lands to the Fitzgerald in the 13th century.