Visit Kildare – Get Outdoors
There are many reasons to visit Kildare county, from its legendary history to its stunning landscape. From its central plain and the reason it’s known as the ‘Horse Capital of Ireland’, to its uplands that bring you through to the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. Take a boat trip along the Grand Canal, or kayak along the River Barrow. Horse ride through the county’s pastures. Tee off on the best greens. Visit the many castles, halls and manor houses. Nature spot in Ireland’s largest peatland, The Bog of Allen. Bathe in the county’s woodlands and forests. And appreciate the beauty of the farmlands that surround its picturesque villages and towns.
And when it’s time to recoup, the county of Kildare offers visitors the opportunity to wine, dine and stay in some of the best pubs, restaurants, and hotels Ireland has to offer. So the next time you’re planning a trip within the island of Ireland, be sure to visit Kildare!
The following ‘10 Fabulous Free Reasons to Get Outdoors and Visit Kildare‘ have all been tried and tested as family excursions and days out. Some have lasted minutes, others hours. We’ve combined a number of places on days out – for example when visiting Mullaghreelan Woods in Castledermot, you can also visit the High Crosses and Round Tower. Or when visiting The Wonderful Barn in Leixlip, a 15 minute drive will bring you to Castletown House and Parklands.
Is your favourite free reason to visit Kildare and get outdoors not on the list? Let us know in the comment section below. And do check back to The Life of Stuff travel pages as we’ll be delving deeper into the featured recommendation in the coming weeks and months. For now, do click on the smaller photographs to enlarge them – I hope they inspire you to explore!
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Athy Waterways Grand Canal and River Barrow Walk
Location: Barrow Quay, Athy, Co. Kildare
Google Maps Coordinates: 52°59’29.6″N 6°59’03.5″W
Top Tips:
- Start your walk at Barrow Quay, near Crom-a-Boo Bridge, across from Whites Castle and walk along the river past the historic ‘One Horse Bridge.’ Cross over the bridge and it will bring you the Grand Canal. Observe where the Grand Canal and River Barrow meet – this junction between canal and river is quite special. If walking is your thing then keep to the original pathway and walk on to Ardreigh Lock, and from there you can go on to Levitstown Lock and Levitstown Mill.
- If walking isn’t your forte then can always take a boat trip instead.
