Things to Do in Kildare Town: Home to a Famous Cathederal

Discover the best things to do in Kildare from local attractions to hidden gems around towns like Naas, Kildare and Newbridge.

Bryan Collins

10 Jun 2025 — 7 min read

County Kildare is distinct among Leinster's destinations. Its history dates back to the 5th century, when St. Brigid established her famous monastery in what is now Kildare town.

The county combines Ireland's monastic past with its position as the epicenter of Irish horse racing. Home to the Curragh racecourse and over 50 stud farms, Kildare breeds 40% of Ireland's thoroughbreds. This unusual pairing gives the county its unique character.

Unlike counties that developed around defensive structures, Kildare grew outward from St. Brigid's sacred flame, which burned continuously for over 1,000 years until the Reformation. This spiritual heritage remains embedded in the county's towns and landmarks, while the plains produce horses worth millions annually.

Kildare’s Must-See Attractions

The Irish National Stud & Gardens

Ireland's thoroughbred horse breeding center is world-renowned and offers a fascinating glimpse into the equine industry that defines Kildare. The Japanese Gardens (created 1906-1910) and St. Fiachra's Garden provide stunning botanical displays alongside the horse facilities.

Visitor Info: Allow 3-4 hours to fully experience the Irish National Stud & Gardens. Morning visits (10am-12pm) often coincide with more stable activity. The stud farm outshines similar facilities like Coolmore in Tipperary through its combination of working stud operations with magnificent gardens.

Kildare Village Designer Outlet

One of County Kildare’s top retail spots, this shopping centre draws visitors from across Ireland and abroad. With over 100 boutiques offering designer goods at reduced prices, it's ideal for a bargain.

Visitor Info: Best enjoyed weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds. Plan 2-3 hours minimum, longer if you're serious about shopping. While Dundrum in Dublin may be larger, Kildare Village offers a more relaxed, outdoor shopping experience with better discounts.

St. Brigid's Cathedral & Round Tower

The 13th-century cathedral stands on the site of St. Brigid's original abbey. Climb the restored round tower for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Visitor Info: The cathedral is open year-round, but tower climbs are weather-dependent and not suitable for those with mobility issues. Allow 1-2 hours. Unlike the better-known Glendalough monastery in Wicklow, St. Brigid's offers a more intimate connection to Ireland's female patron saint.

Royal Canal Greenway

Winding through most of Kildare, the Royal Canal Greenway offers serene walks and a peek into 18th-century trade routes for cyclists, walkers and runners.

The Curragh

This 5,000-acre natural grassland has hosted horse racing for centuries. The Curragh Racecourse is Ireland's premier flat racing venue following a €80 million redevelopment.

Visitor Info: Race days offer the full experience, but the plains can be explored anytime. Check the racing calendar before visiting. Unlike Leopardstown in Dublin, the Curragh combines world-class racing facilities with ancient natural plains that have remained largely unchanged for millennia.

Kildare Town Heritage Centre

Located in the 19th-century Market House, this centre, with interactive exhibits, tells the story of Kildare town from ancient times to the present.

Visitor Info: Allow 1 hour. The guided Slí Bhríde (St. Brigid's Way) pilgrim path tour offers deeper insights into Kildare's spiritual heritage.

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre

Showcasing Ireland's peatland habitats, this educational centre explains the ecological and cultural significance of Irish bogs.

Visitor Info: Open weekdays with weekend openings by arrangement. Allow 1-2 hours. The center offers guided bog walks during summer months.

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Kildare’s Hidden Treasures

Pollardstown Fen

Ireland's largest remaining calcareous spring-fed fen, this unique wetland ecosystem is home to rare plant species found nowhere else in Ireland. Most tourists race past on their way to more famous attractions, missing this ecological wonder.

Local naturalists have continuously monitored the fen since the 1970s, when plans to drain it were successfully opposed—a conservation success story known to every Kildare environmentalist but few outside the county.

St. Brigid's Well

Located just outside Kildare town, this ancient holy well predates Christianity but was incorporated into St. Brigid's tradition. Local families still bring children here on February 1st (St. Brigid's Day) to continue a custom that spans generations.

Few visitors know that local farmers still leave small offerings at specific trees near the well during droughts—a practice that quietly connects modern agricultural concerns with ancient Celtic customs.

Donnelly's Hollow

This natural amphitheater on the Curragh hosted the famous 1815 boxing match between Dan Donnelly and English champion George Cooper, marking a significant moment in Irish sporting pride during British rule.

Local lore claims that Donnelly's footprints were preserved in the turf and that on misty mornings, his ghost can be seen training at the site. While the footprint story is embellished, a marked depression said to be one footprint remains, though only locals can point you to the exact spot.

Kildare Event Calendar

Spring

Punchestown Festival (April) – Ireland's premier National Hunt racing festival draws over 130,000 spectators for five days of elite jump racing.

St. Brigid's Festival (February) – Celebrates Kildare's patron saint with a unique cross-weaving ceremony, traditional music, and a torchlight procession that recreates the ancient sacred flame.

Summer

Derby Festival at the Curragh (June-July) – The Irish Derby is the centerpiece of this prestigious flat racing weekend that attracts international horses and visitors.

Kildare Heritage Festival (August) – Brings the county's history to life through reenactments, guided walks, and special access to historic buildings not usually open to the public.

Taste of Kildare (August) – Showcases local food producers and restaurants with demonstrations, tastings, and special menus throughout the county.

Autumn

Curragh Autumn Festival (September) – Features the Irish St. Leger, one of Ireland's five Classic races, alongside family-friendly activities.

Kildare Readers Festival (October) – Brings authors and booklovers together for readings, workshops, and literary discussions.

Winter

Newbridge Winterfest (December) – Transforms the town with a Christmas market, ice skating rink, and festive entertainment.

St. Brigid's Cathedral Christmas Concert Series (December) – Features choral performances in the atmospheric medieval cathedral.

Kildare Family Activities

Lullymore Heritage Park

This 60-acre park combines natural peatland with historical recreations, adventure play areas, and a pet farm. The prehistoric to present-day exhibits include reconstructed early Christian dwellings and famine-era cottages.

Best for: Ages 4-12, but has something for all family members. The indoor museum areas make this an all-weather option.

Clonfert Pet Farm

A popular spot for kid’s birthday parties, this farm features a wide range of animals, from rabbits to alpacas, and indoor and outdoor play areas, including go-karts and a bouncy castle.

Best for: Children under 10. The indoor play barn makes this suitable for rainy days.

K Leisure Centres

With locations in Naas, Athy, and Newbridge, these modern facilities offer swimming pools with dedicated family swim times and children's activities. The Naas pool is 25 metres too. Check out our guide of things to do in Naas.

Best for: All ages, perfect all-weather option with swimming lessons available for different skill levels.

Irish National Stud's Fairy Trail

A magical woodland walk featuring fairy doors, sculptures, and interactive elements that bring Irish folklore to life.

Best for: Younger children aged 2-8, but the wider stud farm appeals to all ages.

Local Kildare Businesses

Hartes of Kildare

This award-winning gastropub in Kildare town showcases local producers through its seasonal menus. Their signature dish, the Wallaby Burger (using meat from nearby Wallaby Woods when culling is necessary), represents a unique sustainable food chain you won't find elsewhere.

Silken Thomas

Named after a 16th-century Kildare rebel, this family-run pub also features the Lord Edward Restaurant and the Chapter 16 nightclub. Its specialty is the Silken Thomas Irish Coffee, made with locally distilled whiskey and a centuries-old method for floating the cream.

The Dew Drop Inn

This thatched pub in Kill dates from 1832 and serves remarkable craft beers alongside traditional Irish music sessions. Their house-special Boxty (potato pancake) comes with fillings sourced from within a 10-mile radius.

Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre

Newbridge Silverware houses collections once owned by Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana, and other fashion icons alongside quality Irish-made silverware.

Castletown House

Castletown House is Ireland's largest and earliest Palladian country house. Built in 1722 for William Conolly, once the richest man in Ireland, it features opulent interiors and 140 acres of parkland. Check out our guide to things to do in Celbridge.

Kildare Brewing Company

This microbrewery offers tours showing the craft beer-making process from grain to glass, as well as tastings of its Curragh Plains Pale Ale and St. Brigid's Red Ale, both of which feature water from local wells and locally grown ingredients.

Visit County Kildare

There’s plenty to do in the Thoroughbed including ancient sacred sites, world-class horse racing facilities and designer shopping. Whether you're seeking family adventures, cultural immersion, or simply a taste of authentic Ireland away from tourist crowds, Kildare delivers with understated charm.

Now, check out our guide about things to do in County Dublin.

🎯 For Locals

Want more hidden gems, ready-made weekend plans & insider picks? Order one of these quick upgrades (coming soon):

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