County Kildare

County Kildare is a county in Leinster, in eastern Ireland, spreading west of Dublin across flat pasture and bogland toward the edge of the Midlands. Naas serves as the county town and administrative seat, while smaller centers like Newbridge, Maynooth, and Athy are scattered throughout the territory.

The county was formed in 1297 under Norman rule and received its first charter from Henry IV in 1409, granting it limited self-government. Over the centuries, the area remained agricultural, and the introduction of horse breeding in the eighteenth century reshaped the economy to this day.

The name comes from the Irish Cill Dara, meaning church of the oak, recalling an early monastery founded by Brigid of Kildare in the fifth century. Daily life revolves largely around horse breeding, and the stud farms around Kildare Town are worked by families who have raised thoroughbreds for generations.

The main N7 road links the county to Dublin and provides a fast route into the capital, while regional buses also serve smaller towns. Once there, most routes are flat and suitable for driving or cycling, though weather changes are frequent and a light jacket is advisable.

The Curragh is not just a racecourse but also a huge open grassland still used for grazing sheep and once employed as a military training ground over many centuries. In Celbridge stands Castletown House, one of Ireland's largest Palladian mansions, often overlooked by visitors although it is open to the public.

Location: Leinster

Capital city: Naas

Part of: East Coast and Midlands

Shares border with: County Dublin, County Wicklow, County Carlow, County Laois, County Offaly, County Meath

Website: http://kildare.ie

GPS coordinates: 53.20000,-6.80000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03