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. Its population of 7,538 (2006 Census^[1]) makes it the seventh largest town in Kildare and the 55th largest in the Republic of Ireland, with a growth rate of 32.4pc since the 2002 census. 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.

Contents

History

Transport

Places of Interest

Socialising in Kildare Town

Famous Residents/Locals

See also

External links

References

History

''See also History of County Kildare''
In pre-Christian times Kildare was the site of a shrine to the Celtic goddess Brigid. Following the introduction of Christianity in the 5th and 6th centuries it became the foundation of the Christian Saint Brigid who founded a unique monastery of monks and nuns on the site of the present cathedral.

Transport

★ Rail: Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) provides the town with good rail links not only to Dublin but also to the south (Waterford), the southwest (Cork, Limerick, and Tralee), and west of the country (Galway and Mayo). Kildare railway station opened on 4 August 1846 and was closed for goods traffic on 6 September 1976.^[2]

★ Road: Kildare lies close to the M7 motorway from Dublin to Limerick (to which it is linked by the R445 along the route previously forming part of the N7). The M7 leads to the N8 Dublin - Cork route.

Places of Interest

Kildare is home to the Irish National Stud, the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra's Garden. Much of the surrounding countryside in County Kildare is used for horse breeding. The Curragh racecourse is not far from Kildare town. The picturesque Woodstock Estate is located 15km southeast of Kildare.

Socialising in Kildare Town

Kildare Town is home to many popular bars and restaurants, and you should be able to find somewhere that suits your tastes. The bars include:

★ Silken Thomas: a multi-bar venue including the main lounge which has just been renovated and serves food all day, a traditional pub called Squires Gannons, a live music venue called Lil Flanagans and the Tiger Lillies nightclub. The Silken also renovated their restaurant recently, relaunching it as Chapter 16.

★ Cunningham's: very popular pub, especially with the town's Gaelic Athletic Association (Round Towers), racing and rugby crowds. The pub is seen as the main watering hole for young affluent types around the town. The pub is also home to a restaurant Upstairs At Cunnighams (Usac).

★ Mahons: Mahon's is owned by the same family firm that distribute drink to local publicans. The pub has a reputation for the best pint of Guinness in the town.

★ Gobán Saor: home pub of the Ellistown GAA club.

★ Bolands: One of a number of pubs owned by the Boland family around local towns. The pub has a big bar, but is usually quiet in the evenings. It's claims to fame includes Westlife being expelled for making noise and Alex Ferguson sneaking in for pints before he fell out with John Mulhern.

★ Top Nolan's: home to regular traditional sessions. There is a pool hall at the back.

Famous Residents/Locals

★ Donal MacIntyre-Lived There For 5-7 Years.

See also

★ List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

★ List of Irish Towns with a Market House

External links

★ Kildare town

★ Kildare railway station

★ The Irish National Stud

★ The Irish National Stud - Japanese Gardens

References

1. Census 2006 - Table 14A - Towns 10,000 population and over
2. Kildare station