Introducing County Kildare
Once a backwater from Dublin, County Kildare (Cill Dara) is now prime suburbia. Charming towns like Maynooth and Kildare city are becoming bedrooms for commuters and it seems the continuous road construction is always one step behind the latest surge in traffic.
Advertisement
Kildare is one of the most prosperous counties in Ireland and it has some of the most lucrative thoroughbred stud farms in the world. The multimillion-pound industry thrives in the county – partly because Irish law levies no taxes on stud fees (thanks to former prime minister and horse owner Charles J Haughey). There are many ties to the horse-breeding centre of Kentucky in the US.
Geographically, the county has some of the best farmland in Ireland, as well as a vast swathe of bog to the northwest and the sweeping grasslands of the Curragh to the south.
Although not over-stuffed with must-see attractions, Kildare does have a number of diversions for a day-trip out of Dublin or a stop on your way west.
Last updated: Jul 22, 2009
Tips & articles
-
Only in Ireland: more craic than you can shake a stick at
28 June 2010
Lonely Planet produced this article for our partner, Tourism Ireland.The Irish sure know how to enjoy themselves. Here are ten...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Re: How much time in Morocco?
by moroccotraveler 27 June 2010
..... dear Marocfan, sounds like you have both legs in the one knickers sleeve . Travelling in the Western Sahara today I'm obliged…
-
RE: Mini Driving Vacation in Ireland with young kids
by ambarush 03 June 2010
You really only have four days max and your itinerary is way too ambitious unless you want to spend the whole time driving. My advice…
-
RE: Anyone help ...... pleeeease!!!
by cormacoshea1 08 September 2008
Tom, That'd be great! December would be fine. If you send me on your address, I'll send you on some money to cover it. My personal e-mail…
