Solid and settled, Kildare is secure in the affluence it has won by horse breeding and racing. The town’s Irish name, Cill Dara means ‘the church (or monastery) of the oak tree’. The monastery in question is was founded in AD 490 by St Brigid and todays St Brigid’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, on what is believed to be the same site as the monastery, is the dominant feature of the town. It’s precise age is uncertain, though some say its odd looking Round Tower, with its entrance doorway located 12ft up the wall for extra security and accessible then as now only by ladder, was built in the 10th century. The main parts of the cathedral were started in 1223, though several reconstructions have been undertaken over the years since.

Kildare is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside, including the Bog of Allen, the largest bogland area in Ireland, which stretches from the western edge of the county to touch Shannon to the west.