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Historic South Kildare and the Wicklow Gap by car
To Glendalough via Portlaoise, Stradbally, Athy, Kilcullen, Ballymore Eustace, Hollywood and Glendalough. This trip takes approximately 1 1/2hrs to 2 hours and is full of history, heritage and pleasant scenery.
Just outside Portlaoise is the Rock of Dunamaise. It was a fortress of the kings of Leinster and was given to Strongbow, earl of Pembroke, who brought the first Anglo-Normans to Ireland in 1170. From here they established themselves in Meath, Louth, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford within two years.
Stradbally provided the limestone used in most of the public buildings in the county and is seen to good effect in the church buildings here. Oakvale, is the site of a 7th century monastery, where the book of Leinster was written. The Cosby family established Stradbally more than five hundred years ago. Descendants of the Cosby family still reside on the Stradbally Hall estate today.
Athy, heritage town founded by the Anglo-Normans in the centre of the rich agricultural hinterland. Ernest Shackleton lived here. The Moat of Ardscull, 3 miles from Athy is a little treasure and really worth the stop. It has been a site of historic importance since the 1st century. See the plaque commemorating the Gordon Bennett Cup Car Race of 1903, which took place in three counties, Carlow, Kildare and Laois. (Please visit the Gordon Bennett section for more details on the route)
Call in to Ballitore, one of the best examples of an intact Shaker village, where you can visit the historic library and buy genuine Shaker crafts. For those in shopping mood, its worth calling at the Outlet store in neighbouring Crookstown
Kilcullen, on the river Liffey is in the middle of horseracing country. It has a wonderful organic nursery where you can buy fresh organic produce and explore the craftshop and tearooms, all run by the Camphill community which help to create a safe yet rewarding home and work environment for people with mental illnesses.
The drive from Killcullen to Ballymore Eustace is dotted with very English style hamlets and manicured stud farms. Ballymore Eustace is a typical village of the Wicklow foothills associated with sheep farming. Take the road to the N81 and head south for a few miles to Hollywood where you join St Kevin's Pilgrim Way to Glendalough. The drive over the mountain and through the Wicklow Gap is characterised by rock strewn granite hillsides and glaciated valleys.
The splendour of the Wicklow Gap opens high over Glendalough and like a swan splashing down onto a lake you enter the calm and peace that is Glendalough. The return trip can take-in a tour of Blessington lakes and Russbrough House, home of Sir Alfred Beit, whose famed art collection is now in state ownership.
To Glendalough via Portlaoise, Stradbally, Athy, Kilcullen, Ballymore Eustace, Hollywood and Glendalough. This trip takes approximately 1 1/2hrs to 2 hours and is full of history, heritage and pleasant scenery.
Just outside Portlaoise is the Rock of Dunamaise. It was a fortress of the kings of Leinster and was given to Strongbow, earl of Pembroke, who brought the first Anglo-Normans to Ireland in 1170. From here they established themselves in Meath, Louth, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford within two years.
Stradbally provided the limestone used in most of the public buildings in the county and is seen to good effect in the church buildings here. Oakvale, is the site of a 7th century monastery, where the book of Leinster was written. The Cosby family established Stradbally more than five hundred years ago. Descendants of the Cosby family still reside on the Stradbally Hall estate today.
Athy, heritage town founded by the Anglo-Normans in the centre of the rich agricultural hinterland. Ernest Shackleton lived here. The Moat of Ardscull, 3 miles from Athy is a little treasure and really worth the stop. It has been a site of historic importance since the 1st century. See the plaque commemorating the Gordon Bennett Cup Car Race of 1903, which took place in three counties, Carlow, Kildare and Laois. (Please visit the Gordon Bennett section for more details on the route)
Call in to Ballitore, one of the best examples of an intact Shaker village, where you can visit the historic library and buy genuine Shaker crafts. For those in shopping mood, its worth calling at the Outlet store in neighbouring Crookstown
Kilcullen, on the river Liffey is in the middle of horseracing country. It has a wonderful organic nursery where you can buy fresh organic produce and explore the craftshop and tearooms, all run by the Camphill community which help to create a safe yet rewarding home and work environment for people with mental illnesses.
The drive from Killcullen to Ballymore Eustace is dotted with very English style hamlets and manicured stud farms. Ballymore Eustace is a typical village of the Wicklow foothills associated with sheep farming. Take the road to the N81 and head south for a few miles to Hollywood where you join St Kevin's Pilgrim Way to Glendalough. The drive over the mountain and through the Wicklow Gap is characterised by rock strewn granite hillsides and glaciated valleys.
The splendour of the Wicklow Gap opens high over Glendalough and like a swan splashing down onto a lake you enter the calm and peace that is Glendalough. The return trip can take-in a tour of Blessington lakes and Russbrough House, home of Sir Alfred Beit, whose famed art collection is now in state ownership.
