Attractions
There are plenty of pursuits to fill each relaxing trip from the thrill of a horse-racing meeting at The Curragh Racecourse, Ireland’s flat racing headquarters to the Zen of the Japanese Gardens, with world-class designer shopping along the way. Golfers will not want to miss some of the best parkland courses in Ireland and everyone will love the glimpse of the past afforded by our beautiful stately homes.
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The Curragh offers a unique experience: classic racing and classic hospitality set in the beautiful Kildare countryside. Few sporting events match the excitement, glamour and enjoyment of a day at the races. Less than an hour from Dublin, The Curragh hosts the best flat racing in the country from March to October including all five Classic races – the Irish Guineas Festival, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the Darley Irish Oaks and The Irish Field St. Leger, part of the Autumn Festival of Racing.
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For the ultimate shopping escape from the city take a trip to Kildare Village Outlet Shopping. Less than an hour from Dublin city centre, Kildare Village offers an incredible shopping experience with a range of luxury goods reduced by up to 60% off the recommended retail price. There is over 60 designer boutiques in Kildare Village including 7 for All Mankind, DKNY, Juicy Couture, Superdry, L.K. Bennett, Ted Baker, Karen Millen, Cath Kidston, Clarks, Reiss, Wolford, Molton Brown and many more. Starbucks provides a welcome pit stop and L’Officina by Dunne & Crescenzi offers authentic Italian cuisine in their spacious restaurant.A Tourist Information Centre and tax refund facilities for non EU shoppers add to the appeal for the international visitor.
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See the top quality thoroughbreds, mares and foals for which County Kildare is famous, or take a fascinating guided tour of the Irish National Stud farm. Then pop into the Horse Museum, where the ‘sport of kings’ is brought to life. Discover the Japanese Gardens, created between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese gardener Tassa Eida and his son.
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St. Brigid’s Cathedral and Round Tower
St. Brigid’s Cathedral marks the original site of the Church of St. Brigid, which was established under the shade of a large oak tree and from which Kildare or Cill Dara in Irish (Church of the Oak) gets its name. The Round Tower at 108 feet high is the second highest in Ireland, but the highest that can be climbed and is open May to September. -
Castletown is Ireland's largest and earliest Palladian style house. Built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. The façade was almost certainly designed by the Italian architect, Alessandro Galilei, while the Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce added the wings. The house remained in the hands of the Speaker's descendants until 1965 when the house was purchased by a property developer Major Wilson. Fortunately the house was saved in 1967 when along with 120 acres of the demesne lands it was purchased by the Hon. Desmond Guinness, founder of the Irish Georgian Society for £93,000.
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Russborough, designed in the Palladian style by German architect Richard Castle and built between 1741 and 1750, is often referred to as the most beautiful house in Ireland. Among its many draws are fine stucco ceilings by the Lafranchini brothers, marvellous plasterwork, a wonderful mahogany staircase and much of the Sir Alfred Beit collection of fine art. The beautifully maintained house contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain and silver.
