County Kildare

Horses shape everything here: the National Stud, the Curragh plain and paddocks in every direction. Canals and St Brigid's town give it a quieter second half, an easy escape from Dublin.

County Kildare facts

Province: Leinster
County town: Naas
Setting: Inland
Touring region: Ireland's Ancient East
Best for: history, family, scenic drives
Golf: The K Club, host of the 2006 Ryder Cup. Our golf guide
Places in the planner: 6

Horses first: this is Ireland's horse country, just west of Dublin. The Irish National Stud, the Curragh racecourse and hundreds of stud farms shape a landscape of paddocks, hedgerows and the wide open grassland of the Curragh plain, where horses have been trained for generations.

The county is also canal and river country, crossed by the Grand and Royal Canals and the River Liffey, with heritage towns like Athy and Kildare town, where St Brigid founded her monastery. Castletown House near Celbridge is one of Ireland's great Palladian mansions, and the county's proximity to Dublin makes it an easy first escape from the capital. Because it is so close to Dublin, Kildare is often visited as a day trip, but staying overnight reveals its quieter side: canal-side walks at dusk, stud farm country in the early morning, and heritage towns that empty pleasantly once the day visitors leave.

Top sights in Kildare

Irish National Stud and Gardens

Ireland's premier stud farm, with Japanese Gardens and St Fiachra's Garden.

The Curragh

A wide open plain and famous racecourse, home of the Irish classics.

Castletown House

A grand Palladian mansion near Celbridge with parkland walks.

Kildare Town and St Brigid's Cathedral

An early Christian centre with a round tower and a cathedral linked to St Brigid.

Grand Canal

Towpaths and locks crossing the county, ideal for gentle walks and cycling.

Towns & cities in Kildare

Naas

The kings of Leinster assembled here, and the horses run the town now: Punchestown Racecourse sits just south of it. Naas is the county town of County Kildare.

Kildare Town

Saint Brigid founded her monastery here in the 5th century, and the cathedral and climbable round tower still stand on the site. The town's name, Cill Dara, means the church of the oak.

Celbridge

Liffey town associated with Castletown House and Jonathan Swift's connections.

Athy

Canal and Barrow town in the south of the county.

Best time to visit

Spring brings foals and garden colour, and summer the racing season at the Curragh. The county is an easy day trip from Dublin in any season.

Getting there

Naas is under an hour from Dublin by motorway, and Kildare is on the main rail line from the capital. Dublin Airport is the nearest airport.

Places for your trip

Naas: The kings of Leinster assembled here, and the horses run the town now: Punchestown Racecourse sits just south of it. Naas is the county town of County Kildare.
Kildare Town: Saint Brigid founded her monastery here in the 5th century, and the cathedral and climbable round tower still stand on the site. The town's name, Cill Dara, means the church of the oak.
St Brigid's Cathedral and Round Tower, Kildare: St Brigid's Cathedral in Kildare stands on the site of Saint Brigid's monastery and has a climbable round tower.
The Curragh: A wide open plain of grassland in County Kildare, given over to horses: racing, training and the military all share it.
Irish National Stud and Gardens: The Irish National Stud near Kildare Town is a thoroughbred breeding centre with Japanese Gardens.
The K Club: The Palmer North course at Straffan, host of the 2006 Ryder Cup.

What's on

National Ploughing Championships

21–23 Sep 2027 · Rathangan, Co. Kildare

Europe's largest outdoor event: three days of ploughing championships, machinery, livestock and trade. In 2027 it moves a week later than usual to avoid clashing with the Ryder Cup.

Official site

All events in this county