Introduction to Kildare
Kildare (Cill Dara in modern Irish, originally derived from Cell Dara in Old Irish, meaning "Church of the Oak") is a town in County Kildare in the Republic of Ireland. Although it gives its name to the county, Kildare is not the county town, that honour going instead to Naas. The town lies some 50 km west of Dublin, near enough for it to have become, despite being a regional centre in its own right, a commuter town for the capital.
A Brief History of Kildare
Kildare (Cill Dara in modern Irish, originally derived from Cell Dara in Old Irish, meaning "Church of the Oak") is a town in County Kildare in the Republic of Ireland. Although it gives its name to the county, Kildare is not the county town, that honour going instead to Naas. The town lies some 50 km west of Dublin, near enough for it to have become, despite being a regional centre in its own right, a commuter town for the capital.
Areas of Interest in Kildare
Maynooth Castle
This great stone castle was founded in the early 13th century and became the principle residence of the Kildare branch of the Geraldines. The Kildare FitzGeralds emerged as one of the most power families in Ireland with Maynooth Castle being one of the largest and richest Earl''s houses. The original Keep, constructed c.1203, was one of the largest of its kind in Ireland.
K Gardens
The K Garden consists of 5 acres on landscaped gardens. Including All Ireland award winning Rose garden, Rock garden, Shrubbery and Heather garden.
Crookstown Mill
The Crookstown Cornmill is a restored Cornmill with Museum.Tearoom, Craft Shop.Two new Exhibitions.Windmills of Europe ,large model of windmill outside.High Cross of Ireland.
Pollardstown Fen
Pollardstown Fen is situated on the Northern margin of the Curragh, approximately 3km of Newbridge, Co. Kildare (grid ref. N 77 16). The area of the fen is 220 hectares (550 acres), 60% of which is state owned.
A Fen is an area of alkaline peatland which obtains its nutrients from calcium-rich spring water. Most fens develop further into raised bogs. Raised bogs contain acid peat and their only source of nutrients is rainfall.
Pollardstown Fen is of international importance as this type of system is now rare in Ireland and Western Europe. In addition, it contains a number of rare vegetation types and invertebrates, along with an uninterrupted pollen record of the change
Harristown House
Harristown House was built in the second half of the 18th century under the supervision of the architect Whitmore Davis. It was rebuilt after a fire in the 1890s by James Franklin Fuller. The La Touche family lived in the house until 1920.
In 1946 MajorMW Beaumont bought the house and during his time the Cottage Walk was created and the Walled Gardens restored.
Important features in the house are the library, the furniture of French and Italian origin and family portraits. There are also chimney pieces, inlaid floors, mahogany doors and Chinese wall paper.
Traditional Music and Craic in Kildare