Things to do in County Kildare
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St Patrick’s College
St Patrick’s College & Seminary was founded in 1795 to turn out Catholic priests. In 1910 it joined the newly established National University of Ireland (NUI). A restructuring of the NUI in 1997 made St Patrick’s College independent of the bigger university, which now has more than 6500 students; there are only a few dozen studying for the priesthood.
The college buildings are impressive – Gothic architect Augustus Pugin had a hand in designing them – and well worth an hour’s ramble. You enter the college via Georgian Stoyte House, where the accommodation office sells booklets (€4.50) for guiding yourself around. In summer there’s also a visitor centre and a small sci…
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Irish National Stud
The stud was founded by Colonel Hall Walker (of Johnnie Walker whiskey fame) in 1900. He was remarkably successful with his horses, but his eccentric breeding technique relied heavily on astrology: the fate of a foal was decided by its horoscope and the roofs of the stallion boxes opened on auspicious occasions to reveal the heavens and duly influence the horses’ fortunes. Today the immaculately kept centre is owned and managed by the Irish government. It breeds high-quality stallions to mate with mares from all over the world.
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St Brigid’s Cathedral
The solid presence of 13th-century St Brigid’s Cathedral looms over Kildare Sq. Look out for a fine stained-glass window inside that depicts the three main saints of Ireland: Patrick, Brigid and Colmcille. The church also contains the restored tomb of Walter Wellesley, Bishop of Kildare, which disappeared soon after his death in 1539 and was only found again in 1971. One of its carved figures has been variously interpreted as an acrobat or a sheila-na-gig.
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Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
A rather mangy rabbit mascot greets visitors to the cheerful Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, about 1km north of the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. Aimed right at kids, a woodland trail leads you past various dwellings (including Neolithic huts, a not-so-festive Famine-era house and an enchanting fairy village), and there’s crazy golf and a road train. Should the unthinkable happen and it rains, the Funky Forest is a vast indoor playground.
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Bog of Allen Nature Centre
The centre traces the history of bogs and peat production, and has the largest carnivorous plant collection in Ireland, including sundews, butterwort and other bog-native protein-eaters. In an effort to bring the science of the bog to bear for Irish students, 2008 saw the opening of a dipping pond for freshwater invertebrates and facilities for observing how bog ‘grows’. A nearby boardwalk extends into the Bog of Allen.
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Maynooth Castle
Near the entrance to St Patrick’s College you can see the ruined gatehouse, keep and great hall of 13th-century Maynooth Castle, home of the Fitzgerald family. The castle was dismantled in Cromwellian times, when the Fitzgeralds moved to Kilkea Castle. Entry is by a 45-minute guided tour only; there’s a small exhibition on the castle’s history in the keep.
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L’officina by Dunne & Crescenzi
The Dublin-based purveyors of gourmet Italian titbits have spread their wings and landed in the anodyne arms of the relatively new Kildare Retail Village. No matter: the salads, warm focaccias and desserts are as delicious and authentic as the ones in the capital.
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Whitewater Farmers Market
The Whitewater Farmers Market is held in the Whitewater Shopping Centre twice a week and has a wide range of local produce, including cheese, organic fruit and veg, organic meats and local crafts.
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Griffin Hawe Hardware
Athy is a popular place for pike, salmon and trout fishing. For equipment and information try Griffin Hawe Hardware. There’s a wide range of fly rods and gear.
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Mohana
Mohana has a wide range of excellent South Asian dishes. The dining room has a gracious air and it’s a floor above the street. For a kick in the old masala, try the chicken chilli version.
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Agape
Just off Market Sq, this trendy little cafe has a fine range of homemade food. There’s a full coffee bar and a menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and tasty hot specials.
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De Lacy’s
De Lacy’s, the restaurant at Kilkea Castle, serves complex and formal meals in elegant surroundings.
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