Page 146 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

144 BACK ROADS IRELAND

5 Kildare Town
Co Kildare
Kildare is a pretty, well-preserved small cathedral and market town,
where St Brigid, one of the three great Irish saints (the other two
were Patrick and Colmcille), founded a monastery in the 6th century.
It later became the principal church in Leinster, and was unusual in
being a double monastery (for both nuns and monks). A fine Round
Tower, built as a place of refuge from the Norse raids of the 9th–10th
centuries, stands beside the cathedral. Kildare is the main town
serving the army camp and the racecourse, set in the great plain of
The Curragh, and is the centre of the Irish bloodstock industry.
A one-hour walking tour church on the site since the 6th
Start in the Market Square 1 in the century; it may have been a pagan
centre of the town, at the Heritage sanctuary before that. The present
Centre, formerly the Market House. building, dating from the 13th century,
According to the Statutes of Henry VI has undergone much destruction and
Above Kildare Town Heritage Centre, in the fine (1458) a market has been held in restoration, but contains some
18th-century Market House Kildare “from time whereof memory interesting medieval relics and modern
runs not”, but the present building is stained-glass windows. On the
from the 18th century. As well as a north side of the cathedral are
place of business, the Market the restored foundations of St
Square was a venue for town Brigid’s Fire Temple, where a
gatherings, and it is still the social small fire is still lit on the saint’s
VISITING KILDARE TOWN hub, with its bars, restaurants feast day (1 Feb). Behind the
and shops. In the Heritage cathedral, is the 32-m (106-
Parking Centre (open daily), as well as ft) Round Tower 3. It is
There is pay-and-display parking in
and around Market Square. the tourist office, is a possible to climb to the
multimedia exhibition top, for wonderful views. To
Tourist Information recounting the history of the Lord Edward the east of the Market
Kildare Town Heritage Centre, Fitzgerald statue
Market Square; 045 530 672; town. Opposite is the St Square, behind the Silken
open Mon–Sat, 9.30am–1pm, 2–5pm; Brigid’s Flame monument, by Thomas pub, is a remaining
www.kildareheritage.com Alex Pentek, unveiled in 2006 as a 15th-century tower from Kildare Castle
memorial to the sacred flame kept 4. Lord Edward Fitzgerald (1763–98),
WHERE TO STAY alive by St Brigid as a perpetual fire of leader of the United Irishmen, lived in
Christianity, which burned until the an adjoining house, now gone. Walk
KILDARE TOWN suppression of the monasteries in the up Market Square back to the car park.
Cherryville House inexpensive 16th century. At the top of Martket ª From Market Square, follow Tully
Charming bed-and-breakfast with Square is St Brigid’s Cathedral 2 (open Road over the M7 motorway, then turn
three rooms, two en-suite, in an old May–Sep: daily). There has been a left, signed for the National Stud.
farmhouse on a working farm, just off
the R445 heading towards
Monasterevan from Kildare Town. 0 metres 250
Kildare; 045 521 091;
www.kildarebedandbreakfast.com 0 yards 250
AROUND THE CURRAGH C H A P E L H I L L
RACECOURSE St Brigid’s
Martinstown House expensive Round Cathedral
Charming Gothic-style cottage ornée Tower
designed in the 1830s by the English S T A T I O N R O A D
architect Decimus Burton, set in
extensive grounds with wonderful
trees and even a rescued donkey, well C L A R E G AT E S T R E E T
signposted a few kilometres (miles) Market Square
south of the Curragh Racecourse on
minor roads. Six luxurious bedrooms Kildare Castle
and a friendly, comfortable ambience.
Five-course gourmet dinner (on 24- C L A R E G AT E S T R E E T
hour advance notification) and B R I D E S T
exceptional breakfasts.
Martinstown, The Curragh; 045 441
261; www.martinstownhouse.com
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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