Home to National Stud, County Kildare covers 654 square miles of rich green limestone plains, boglands and cruising waterways. Synonymous with horse racing and breeding, County Kildare has three race courses - Punchestown, Naas and The Curragh, famous for the Irish Derby. For the equine enthusiast, County Kidare also has several superb equestrian centres and stables.

The name Kildare is derived from the Irish 'Cill Dara' meaning Church of the Oak Tree. The county is associated with St Brigid, a 6th century saint, who is one of the three patron saints of Ireland. There are several historic sites and remains, which mark the county's early Christian settlements.

The river and canal systems offer excellent boating holidays and fishing. Kildare has the Grand and Royal Canals passing through the county. Pleasure cruising in a traditional barge is one of the most enjoyable ways to see this charming county. The Rivers Liffey and Barrow offer coarse and game angling in spectacular scenery of an unspoiled landscape.

County Kildare is also renowned for its world class golf courses, the most prestigious of which is the K Club, venue for the European Open. Other attractions in the county include The Japanese Gardens, Lullymore Heritage Centre, the Butterfly Farm and Castletown House.


Towns in County Kildare

Naas is the county capital of Kildare. Other townships are Athy, Kildare, Cellbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth and Newbridge. The population of County Kildare is 134,881. Please see our town guides for further information.

Business Information

County Kildare is know as the centre for the blood stock industry. With over 100 stud farms throughout the county, Kildare has an international following of equine enthusiasts. The industry currently employs some 5,500 people. Agriculture is primarily divided into dairy and tillage in County Kildare. Avonmore have a substantial processing plant for milk and dairy products. Computers and IT feature strongly in the manufacturing sector. Intel Ireland Ltd produces their microprocessing chip in Leixlip with 4,000 in their workforce. Hewlett-Packard makes their inkjet cartridges in the county and employ over 2,000 people. Other overseas companies to make their home in County Kildare include Oral-B Laboratories and Telemecanique Ltd. County Kildare is well known for its high quality of production and service for tourism and industry alike.

Kildare County Enterprise Board	Tel:(353) 045 861707
Kildare County Council	Tel:(353) 045 873800
Enterprise Ireland Regional Office	Tel:(353) 01 609 2150
IDA Ireland Regional Office	Tel:(353) 01 603 4000
Kildare European Leader II	Tel:(353) 045 861973

County Kildare is less than an hour by car from Dublin City. The N4, M7 and N9 national primary routes run through Kildare, giving swift access to the county from the major cities, sea ports and airports. Aer Rianta Dublin is the closest airport to County Kildare with daily domestic and international flights. Dun Laoghaire and Dublin are the nearest sea and ferry ports. Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail) and Bus Eireann both operate services across the county.

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