racetrack
Mondello Park
Ireland's only permanent motorsport circuit, located in County Kildare and the home of Irish national racing since 1968.
16 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeIrelandLeinster
Kildare
Leinster, Ireland · Europe
About Kildare
Kildare is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Droichead Nua, 42km from Glendalough Upper Lake.
Kildare is in Leinster, Ireland, with about 8,600 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Droichead Nua, about 8 km away.
Kildare (Irish: Cill Dara, meaning 'church of oak') is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. As of 2022, its population was 10,302, making it the 7th largest town in County Kildare. It is home to Kildare Cathedral, historically the site of an important abbey said to have been founded by Saint Brigid of Kildare in the 5thRead more
century. The Curragh lies east of the town.
The town lies on the R445, some 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Dublin – near enough for it to have become, despite being a regional centre in its own right, a commuter town for the capital. Although Kildare gives its name to the county, Naas is the county town.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kildare?
Within an hour or so of Kildare: Mondello Park (16 km), Wicklow Gap (37 km), Sally Gap (40 km), Glenmacnass Waterfall (40 km).
Are there any good drives near Kildare?
The nearest famous roads are Wicklow Gap, Sally Gap and Copper Coast Geopark.
Where is Kildare?
Kildare is in Leinster, Ireland, about 8 km from Droichead Nua.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 8,634
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Leinster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 53.1561, -6.9144
Tags
Worth the detour from Kildare
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
mountain pass
Wicklow Gap
High mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
37 km · about 40 min drive
mountain pass
Sally Gap
A high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
40 km · about 45 min drive
waterfall
Glenmacnass Waterfall
A waterfall spilling off the plateau beside the Military Road in the Wicklow Mountains, with parking right at the top.
40 km · about 45 min drive
ancient ruins
Glendalough
Atmospheric early medieval monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, with round tower, stone churches and tranquil lakes.
42 km · about 50 min drive
natural wonder
Glendalough Upper Lake
The upper of Glendalough's two lakes, ringed by cliffs and mine ruins at the head of the valley — quieter than the monastic city.
42 km · about 50 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The Spinc, Glendalough
A boardwalk ridge walk high above the Upper Lake at Glendalough, climbing beside the Poulanass waterfall.
42 km · about 50 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Lough Tay (Guinness Lake)
A dark lake with a pale sand beach at one end, viewed from the R759 above; used as the Viking village in the series Vikings.
44 km · about 50 min drive
Driving roads near Kildare
- 37 kmWicklow GapHigh mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
- 40 kmSally GapA high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
- 42 kmThe Spinc, GlendaloughA boardwalk ridge walk high above the Upper Lake at Glendalough, climbing beside the Poulanass waterfall.
- 44 kmLough Tay (Guinness Lake)A dark lake with a pale sand beach at one end, viewed from the R759 above; used as the Viking village in the series Vikings.
- 57 kmVale of AvocaA wooded river valley on the R752 in Wicklow at the meeting of the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers.
- 62 kmHowth Cliff WalkA looped cliff path around Howth Head with views to Ireland's Eye and the Wicklow mountains, easily reached from Dublin.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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