County Kildare
Encyclopedia
County Kildare is a county
in Ireland
. It is part of the Mid-East Region
and is also located in the province
of Leinster
. It is named after the town of Kildare
. Kildare County Council
is the local authority
for the county. The population of the county is 209,955 according to the 2011 census.
Kildare is the 24th largest of Ireland
’s thirty-two counties in area and seventh largest in terms of population. It is the eighth largest of Leinster’s twelve counties in size, and second largest in terms of population. It is bordered by the counties of Carlow
, Laois
, Meath
, Offaly
, Dublin
and Wicklow
. As an inland county, Kildare is a generally lowland region. The county's highest points are the foothills
of the Wicklow Mountains
bordering to the east. The highest point in Kildare is Cupidstown Hill
on the border with Dublin
, with the better known Hill of Allen
in central Kildare.
, the Liffey
and the Boyne
. The Grand Canal crosses the county from Lyons
on the east to Rathangan
and Monasterevin
on the west. A southern branch joins the Barrow navigation at Athy
. The Royal Canal stretches across the north of the county along the border with Meath
. Pollardstown Fen is the largest remaining calcareous
fen in Ireland, covering an area of 220 hectares and is recognised as an internationally important fen ecosystem with unique and endangered plant communities, and declared a National Nature Reserve in 1986.
The Bog of Allen
is a large bog that extends across 958 km2 and into County Kildare, County Meath
, County Offaly
, County Laois
, and County Westmeath
. Kildare has 243 km2 of bog (almost 14% of Kildare's land area) mostly located in the south-west and north-west, a majority of this being Raised Bog
. It is habitat to over 185 plant and animal species.
There are 8,472 hectares (20,934 acres) of Forested land in Kildare, accounting for roughly 5% of the county's total land area. 4,056 hectares of this is Coniferous, while there is 2,963 hectares of Broadleaf and the remaining area are Unclassified Species. Coillte
and Dúchas
currently own 47% of the forestry. Coillte run Donadea Forest Park which is in North-Central Kildare. The forest covers 259 hectares of mixed woodland (60% Broadleaf, 40% Conifer) and is the largest forest park in Kildare.
d in 1297 and assumed its present border
s in 1832, following amendments to remove a number of enclaves and exclaves.
The county was the home of the powerful Fitzgerald family. Parts of the county were also part of the Pale
area around Dublin.
is the local authority
for the county. The Local Electoral Area
s of Kildare are Athy (4 Seats), Celbridge
(6 Seats), Clane
(4 Seats), Kildare
(6 Seats) and Naas (5 Seats). The Council has 25 members. The current council was elected in June 2009. The towns of Leixlip
, Naas
, Newbridge
and Athy
have separate town council
s under the Local Government Act 2001
.
For elections to Dáil Éireann
, there are two constituencies in the area of the county; Kildare North, which returns four TDs
and Kildare South which returns three TDs. In the Irish general election, 2011, Kildare North returned Bernard Durkan (FG), Anthony Lawlor (FG), Catherine Murphy (Ind), and Emmet Stagg (Lab) while with Martin Heydon (FG,) Sean O Fearghail (FF) and Jack Wall (Lab) were returned for Kildare South.
As part of the Mid-East Region
, it is within the purview of the Mid-East Regional Authority
.
For elections to the European Parliament
, it is part of the East constituency which returns three MEPs
.
in 2003. East Kildare's population has increased rapidly, for example the amount of housing in the Naas suburb of Sallins
has increased sixfold since the mid 1990s. As from June 30th 2011 , the population of the county is 209,622. http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp
has its European Manufacturing base in Newbridge
, with another plant in nearby Newcastle in County Dublin. Major pizza-making, soft drinks, and frozen food enterprises are located in Naas
. Large supermarket distribution centres are located in Naas, Newbridge
and Kilcock
. Some of Ireland's most glamorous boutiques are in Naas such as the Emporium Kalu on Main Street Naas which is the most expensive boutique in Ireland. The county has numerous shopping malls in the main towns such as Manor Shopping centre in Maynooth, Kildare Village Outlet Shopping Centre in Kildare Town, Naas Shopping Mall under construction and the Whitewater Centre in Newbridge.
The Irish Army
's largest military base, its command headquarters, and its training centre are located at the Curragh
. Allenwood
and Timahoe
are also the location of large peat burning power stations operated by the state, and Kildare has historically be an employment centre in this sector.
Kildare is the centre of the Irish horse industry. Kildare has more stud farms than any other county in Ireland, and three important racecources at Punchestown, near Naas
, Naas Racecourse itself and at the leading flat national racecourse at the Curragh
. Kildare is also home to the state owned Irish National Stud
farm, the national equestrian centre in Kill, and Goff's equine auction centre (also in Kill). Most of Ireland's prominent show jumping competitors are located in, or come from county Kildare, especially the areas near Kilcock and Sallins. Several prominent international breeders have substantial stud farms in Kildare, including many from the Arab
world.
County Kildare is the richest county in Ireland outside of Dublin and has the lowest unemployment rates in Ireland, throughout the economic recession of the 1980s. House prices in the county but especially in the North East of the county e.g. Naas and Maynooth have always been considerably higher than the other counties in the country outside Dublin. Kildare was the first county in Ireland to experience the Celtic Tiger
economic boom in the early 1990s, mainly as a result of the decision of Intel to locate between Leixlip and Maynooth. From various high tech companies like Intel and Hewlett Packard the county is sometimes dubbed "the Silicon Valley of Europe", and had a pick up in construction that predated that of other counties.
The North and East parts of Kildare (Naas
, Maynooth
, Celbridge
, Leixlip
,Kilcock) is considered more of a industrial and suburban style area. It is the area where most economic development in the county takes place and is considered the more wealthier areas of the county, it is the more densely populated areas of Kildare. The NE part of the county e.g., Celbridge and Leixlip is considered in the Western Suburbs of Dublin.
The South and West parts of Kildare (Athy, Kildare, Newbridge
, Monasterevin, Rathangan) is considered the more agriculturally dominated area in the county and is less populated then the more densely populated areas in the North and East of the county.
's network of major road
s.
The N4(M4) from Dublin to Sligo
travels along the north of the county
by-pass
ing the towns of Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock.
The N7(M7)
from Dublin to Limerick
runs through the county and by-passes the towns of Naas, Newbridge, Kildare and Monasterevin. This road is colloquially referred to as the "Naas Dual carriageway
" because when it was originally up-graded in 1964 the road from Dublin to Naas was a double lane carriageway, one of the first of its kind in Ireland.
The N9(M9) is another National Primary Route that commences at Kilcullen
and ends at Waterford
. It is motorway standard to Waterford, with a small gap of single lane carriageway between Carlow and Kilkenny (full motorway due for completion September 2010).
, Waterford, Limerick, and Galway
. The principal Irish Rail intercity train station in the county is Kildare, however, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazelhatch
are also served by a Dublin commuter train service called the Arrow
.
.
team is the Lilywhites, a reference to the all-white jerseys they wear.
In 1928, Kildare became the first team to win the Sam Maguire
trophy for the All Ireland football Championship, defeating Cavan 2-6 to 2-5.
County Kildare is also known as the Shortgrass County which is a reference to how short the grass is on the commons of the Curragh.
owned K Club, situated on the River Liffey
near Straffan
played host to the 2006 Ryder Cup
. Other prominent courses are located at Knockanally, Carton Estate, and Clane
.
horse-racing course is the home to all five Irish Classic Flat races. Also located in County Kildare are two other courses, Punchestown Racecourse
, home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland, and Naas Racecourse, which runs both National Hunt and Flat meetings and is used by top race horse trainers as a test for horses preparing for the Cheltenham festival.
The county is famous for the quality of horses bred in the many stud farms to which it is home, including the Irish National Stud
and many other top studs such as Gilltown, Moyglare and Kildangan Stud, and race horse training establishments, such as the Osborne Stables.
with the following places: Deauville
, France
Lexington
, Kentucky
Both are major centres of the Thoroughbred
breeding industry in their respective countries.
Counties of Ireland
The counties of Ireland are sub-national divisions used for the purposes of geographic demarcation and local government. Closely related to the county is the County corporate which covered towns or cities which were deemed to be important enough to be independent from their counties. A county...
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is part of the Mid-East Region
Mid-East Region, Ireland
The Mid-East Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland and is governed by the Mid-East Regional Authority. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow which border the Dublin Region...
and is also located in the province
Provinces of Ireland
Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...
of Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
. It is named after the town of Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
. Kildare County Council
Kildare County Council
Kildare County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Kildare in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The council is governed by the Local Government...
is the local authority
Local government in the Republic of Ireland
Local government functions in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-four local authorities, termed county or city councils, which cover the entire territory of the state. The area under the jurisdiction of each of these authorities corresponds to the area of each of the 34 LAU I...
for the county. The population of the county is 209,955 according to the 2011 census.
Geography and political subdivisions
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
’s thirty-two counties in area and seventh largest in terms of population. It is the eighth largest of Leinster’s twelve counties in size, and second largest in terms of population. It is bordered by the counties of Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
, Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
, Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
and Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. As an inland county, Kildare is a generally lowland region. The county's highest points are the foothills
Foothills
Foothills are geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range. They are a transition zone between plains and low relief hills to the adjacent topographically high mountains.-Examples:...
of the Wicklow Mountains
Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into Counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin. Where the mountains extend into County Dublin, they are known locally as the Dublin Mountains...
bordering to the east. The highest point in Kildare is Cupidstown Hill
Cupidstown Hill
Cupidstown Hill is a hill in Northeast County Kildare, Ireland, on the fringes of the Dublin Mountains. At 379 metres it is the highest summit in Kildare, almost twice as high as the Hill of Allen. But Cupidstown Hill is lesser known than other summits in Kildare as it is dwarfed by nearby...
on the border with Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
, with the better known Hill of Allen
Hill of Allen
The Hill of Allen is a volcanic hill situated in the west of County Kildare, Ireland, beside the village of Allen. According to Irish Mythology it was the seat of the hunter-warrier Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna. The site is currently part-owned by Roadstone Dublin Ltd...
in central Kildare.
Towns and villages
- AllenAllen, County KildareAllen is a village in County Kildare in Ireland located on regional road R415 between Kilmeage and Milltown. The village is overlooked by Hill of Allen, which in recent times has been scarred by quarrying...
- AllenwoodAllenwoodAllenwood is a small Irish village in County Kildare situated on the Grand Canal. Allenwood is located about from Dublin and half way between Rathangan and Clane in North County Kildare....
- ArdcloughArdcloughArdclough, officially Ardclogh , is a village and community in the parish of Kill County Kildare, Ireland, two miles off the N7 national primary road. Amongst its buildings today are a national school, a church, Ardclough GAA Club, and one shop "Buggys". Ardclough also contains the historic round...
- AthyAthyThe town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century...
- Ballitore
- Ballymore EustaceBallymore EustaceBallymore Eustace is a small town situated in County Kildare in Ireland, although until 1836 it lay within a "pocket" of County Dublin...
- CalverstownCalverstownCalverstown is a small village in County Kildare, Ireland. It lies south of the town of Kilcullen and about from each of the towns of Athy, Kildare, Naas and Newbridge. It is an old settlement located close to the archaeological sites of Dún Ailinne and Old Kilcullen. The village has a stream...
- CaraghCaraghCaragh or Carragh is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located on the R409 regional road between the River Liffey and the Grand Canal approximately 4 km north-west of Naas...
- CarburyCarburyCarbury , also formerly spelt "Carbery", is a village in north-west County Kildare, Ireland. It is situated in the on the R402 regional road between Enfield and Edenderry, near the border with County Offaly...
- CastledermotCastledermotCastledermot is an inland village in the south-east of Ireland in County Kildare, about from Dublin, and from the town of Carlow. The N9 road from Dublin to Waterford passes through the village but completion of a bypass is due during 2010.-Demographics:...
- ClaneClaneClane is a town on the River Liffey and in the barony of Clane in County Kildare, Ireland, from Dublin.Its population of 4,968 makes it the eighth largest town in Kildare and the 78th largest in the Republic of Ireland....
- Coill DubhCoill DubhCoill Dubh is a town in Ireland in northern County Kildare, at the junction of the R403 and R408 regional roads, about from Dublin. Its population of 684 represents an increase of 15.5pc on the 2002 census....
- CelbridgeCelbridgeCelbridge is a town and townland on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. It is west of Dublin. As a town within the Dublin Metropolitan Area and the Greater Dublin Area, it is located at the intersection of the R403 and R405 regional roads....
- DerrinturnDerrinturnDerrinturn is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located about from Dublin.The main road through Derrinturn is the R403 regional road.The village had a population of 1,138 in 2006.-See also:*List of towns and villages in Ireland...
- EadestownEadestownEadestown is a small village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is situated on the R410 Regional Road south of Naas, between Naas and Blessington, County Wicklow.-Eadestown Parish:...
- HawkfieldHawkfieldHawkfield is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located on the R416 Regional Road north of Newbridge....
- JohnstownJohnstown, County KildareJohnstown , historically known as Freaghillan , is a village in County Kildare, Republic of Ireland. It is located 2 km north of Naas just off the N7 at junction 8. It is approximately 25 km from Dublin City Centre, and is a home for commuters working in Dublin and Naas...
- KilberryKilberry, County KildareKilberry is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located on the R417 regional road in the valley of the River Barrow 4 km north of Athy.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland* List of abbeys and priories in Ireland...
- KilcockKilcockKilcock or Killcock is a town and townland in the north of County Kildare, Ireland, on the border with County Meath. Kilcock is a dormitory town for many of those who work in Dublin...
- KilcullenKilcullenKilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
- KildanganKildanganKildangan is a village in County Kildare in Ireland. Cill Daingin translates as "the church of the fort" in Irish. During the Anglo-Norman settlement of Ireland, Maurice Fitzgerald of Allen, built a castle as part of a defensive line, stretching along the River Barrow from Carlow to Lea Castle...
- KillKill, County KildareKill is a village and parish in County Kildare, Ireland near the county's border with Dublin beside the N7. Its population of 2,510 makes it the 13th largest town in County Kildare. Kill is the birthpace of the Fenian John Devoy, sometimes regarded as the "grandfather of the modern Irish state"...
- KilmeadKilmeadKilmead is a small village in Kildare, Ireland. It is on the R418 road and is 5.6 kilometers from Athy.-History:National monuments in the area include the ‘Rath of Mullaghmast’ and Kilkea Castle, the ancestral home of the Fitzgeralds. The name "Kilmead" is believed to be derived from a term meaning...
- KilmeagueKilmeagueKilmeague, officially Kilmeage , is a town in the west of County Kildare, Ireland, with a population of 683 .-See also:*List of towns and villages in Ireland-External links:*...
- KilteelKilteelKilteel is a small village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located south of Naas at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. Being 800 feet above sea level it holds the title of Kildare's highest village...
- KildareKildare-External links:*******...
- LeixlipLeixlip-Politics:Since 1988 Leixlip has had a nine member Town Council , headed by a Cathaoirleach , which has control over many local matters, although it is limited in that it is not also a planning authority...
- LullymoreLullymore-Business:Lullymore briquette factory, operated by Bord Na Mona opened in 1936 and closed in 1992 due to falling demand for its products.-Sport and Amenities:...
- MaynoothMaynoothMaynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
- MilltownMilltown, County KildareMilltown is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is 7 km from the town of Newbridge. It is on the R415 regional road between Allenwood and Crookstown.-Demographics:...
- MooneMooneMoone is a small village in the south of County Kildare, Ireland. It is on the former N9 road about south of Dublin. It has only a few hundred inhabitants, a church, a National School, one shop and a small community centre...
- Monasterevin
- NarraghmoreNarraghmoreNarraghmore is a parish in County Kildare, Ireland. The Parish covers the villages of Ballytore, Calverstown, Crookstown, Kilmead and Narraghmore.-Narraghmore Village:...
- NurneyNurney, County KildareNurney is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It lies on the R415 regional road 8 km south of Kildare and is signposted from the M7 motorway at junction 13.The village has a church, a pub, a school, a shop, and two graveyards.-Demographics:...
- NaasNaasNaas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
- NewbridgeNewbridge, County KildareThe earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
- ProsperousProsperous, County KildareProsperous is a village in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is within the townland of Curryhills, at the junction of the R403 and R408 regional roads, about from Dublin. Its population of 1,939 makes it the 14th largest town in County Kildare....
- RathanganRathangan, County KildareRathangan is a town in the west of County Kildare, Ireland, with a population of 1,718. It is located from the centre of Dublin, and from Kildare, at the intersection of the R401, R414, and R419 regional roads. The Slate River and the Grand Canal run through the town.Rathangan is situated beside...
- RobertstownRobertstownRobertstown is a small village situated on the banks of the Grand Canal in County Kildare, Ireland. It grew in importance on the arrival of the canal, at the highest level, 85m above sea level, of which it lies, in 1784.-Grand Canal Hotel:...
- SallinsSallinsSallins is a suburban town in County Kildare, Ireland, situated 3.5 km north of the town centre of Naas, from which it is separated by the M7 motorway. Sallins is the anglicised name of Na Solláin which means "The Willows"....
- StraffanStraffanSruthán was mistakenly cited by Thomas O'Connor in the Ordnance Survey Letters in 1837, and adopted as the Irish form of Straffan. Seosamh Laoide used it in his list of Irish names of post-offices published in Post-Sheanchas . An Sruthán gained currency among those involved in the Irish revival...
- StaplestownStaplestown, County KildareStaplestown is a village in North County Kildare, Ireland, located 25 miles west of Dublin. The village has a church, a school, a post office and shop and is home to St Kevin's GAA....
- SuncroftSuncroftSuncroft is a village in County Kildare, Ireland, south of The Curragh and east of Kildare Town.It has a population of 607.-See also:*List of towns and villages in Ireland...
- TimolinTimolinTimolin is a hamlet in the south of County Kildare, Ireland. It is on the former N9 road about south of Dublin. It is a small village, with less than a hundred inhabitants, one shop and a two pubs. It is located close to the Moone High Cross Inn.During the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s...
Physical geography
The county has three major rivers running through it: the BarrowRiver Barrow
The Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
, the Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
and the Boyne
River Boyne
The River Boyne is a river in Leinster, Ireland, the course of which is about long. It rises at Trinity Well, Newbury Hall, near Carbury, County Kildare, and flows towards the Northeast through County Meath to reach the Irish Sea between Mornington, County Meath and Baltray, County Louth. Salmon...
. The Grand Canal crosses the county from Lyons
Lyons Hill
Lyons Hill is a restored village, and former parish with church, now part of the community of Ardclough in north County Kildare. At a time when canal passenger boats travelled at Lyons was the nearest overnight stop to Dublin on the Grand Canal. On the hilltop is a trigonometrical point used by...
on the east to Rathangan
Rathangan, County Kildare
Rathangan is a town in the west of County Kildare, Ireland, with a population of 1,718. It is located from the centre of Dublin, and from Kildare, at the intersection of the R401, R414, and R419 regional roads. The Slate River and the Grand Canal run through the town.Rathangan is situated beside...
and Monasterevin
Monasterevin
Situated 63 km from Dublin on the R445 road, Monasterevin has been relieved of much through traffic by the opening in 2004 of a new section of the M7 motorway bypassing the town on the N7 Dublin to Limerick route...
on the west. A southern branch joins the Barrow navigation at Athy
Athy
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century...
. The Royal Canal stretches across the north of the county along the border with Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Pollardstown Fen is the largest remaining calcareous
Calcareous
Calcareous is an adjective meaning mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate, in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.-In zoology:...
fen in Ireland, covering an area of 220 hectares and is recognised as an internationally important fen ecosystem with unique and endangered plant communities, and declared a National Nature Reserve in 1986.
The Bog of Allen
Bog of Allen
The Bog of Allen is a large raised bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Liffey and Shannon.The bog's 958 square kilometers stretch into County Offaly, County Meath, County Kildare, County Laois, and County Westmeath. Peat is mechanically harvested on a large scale by Bórd na Móna,...
is a large bog that extends across 958 km2 and into County Kildare, County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
, County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
, and County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. Kildare has 243 km2 of bog (almost 14% of Kildare's land area) mostly located in the south-west and north-west, a majority of this being Raised Bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
. It is habitat to over 185 plant and animal species.
There are 8,472 hectares (20,934 acres) of Forested land in Kildare, accounting for roughly 5% of the county's total land area. 4,056 hectares of this is Coniferous, while there is 2,963 hectares of Broadleaf and the remaining area are Unclassified Species. Coillte
Coillte Teoranta
Coillte is a state-sponsored company in the Republic of Ireland, based in Newtownmountkennedy. Coillte is a commercial company operating in forestry, land-based businesses and added-value processing operations....
and Dúchas
Dúchas
Dúchas – The Heritage Service was the Irish State body responsible for national monuments and historic properties. It was established under the Heritage Act 1995 and took over responsibility for the management of national parks and wildlife from the Office of Public Works...
currently own 47% of the forestry. Coillte run Donadea Forest Park which is in North-Central Kildare. The forest covers 259 hectares of mixed woodland (60% Broadleaf, 40% Conifer) and is the largest forest park in Kildare.
History
Kildare was shireShire
A shire is a traditional term for a division of land, found in the United Kingdom and in Australia. In parts of Australia, a shire is an administrative unit, but it is not synonymous with "county" there, which is a land registration unit. Individually, or as a suffix in Scotland and in the far...
d in 1297 and assumed its present border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
s in 1832, following amendments to remove a number of enclaves and exclaves.
The county was the home of the powerful Fitzgerald family. Parts of the county were also part of the Pale
The Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
area around Dublin.
Local government and politics
Kildare County CouncilKildare County Council
Kildare County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Kildare in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The council is governed by the Local Government...
is the local authority
Local government in the Republic of Ireland
Local government functions in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-four local authorities, termed county or city councils, which cover the entire territory of the state. The area under the jurisdiction of each of these authorities corresponds to the area of each of the 34 LAU I...
for the county. The Local Electoral Area
Local electoral area
A local electoral area is a sub-division of a county and city-level local government used for electoral purposes in Ireland. Each local electoral area consists of a number of lower-level units known as district electoral divisions...
s of Kildare are Athy (4 Seats), Celbridge
Celbridge
Celbridge is a town and townland on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. It is west of Dublin. As a town within the Dublin Metropolitan Area and the Greater Dublin Area, it is located at the intersection of the R403 and R405 regional roads....
(6 Seats), Clane
Clane
Clane is a town on the River Liffey and in the barony of Clane in County Kildare, Ireland, from Dublin.Its population of 4,968 makes it the eighth largest town in Kildare and the 78th largest in the Republic of Ireland....
(4 Seats), Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
(6 Seats) and Naas (5 Seats). The Council has 25 members. The current council was elected in June 2009. The towns of Leixlip
Leixlip
-Politics:Since 1988 Leixlip has had a nine member Town Council , headed by a Cathaoirleach , which has control over many local matters, although it is limited in that it is not also a planning authority...
, Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
, Newbridge
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
and Athy
Athy
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century...
have separate town council
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
s under the Local Government Act 2001
Local Government Act 2001
The Local Government Act, 2001 was enacted by the Oireachtas of the Republic of Ireland on 21 July 2001. Most of the provisions of the Act came into operation on 1 January 2002....
.
For elections to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
, there are two constituencies in the area of the county; Kildare North, which returns four TDs
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
and Kildare South which returns three TDs. In the Irish general election, 2011, Kildare North returned Bernard Durkan (FG), Anthony Lawlor (FG), Catherine Murphy (Ind), and Emmet Stagg (Lab) while with Martin Heydon (FG,) Sean O Fearghail (FF) and Jack Wall (Lab) were returned for Kildare South.
As part of the Mid-East Region
Mid-East Region, Ireland
The Mid-East Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland and is governed by the Mid-East Regional Authority. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow which border the Dublin Region...
, it is within the purview of the Mid-East Regional Authority
Regional Authorities in Ireland
Regional Authorities in Ireland were established by the Local Government Act 1991 and came into existence in 1994. Under this Act, the Regional Authorities have two main functions: to promote the co-ordination of public service provision and to monitor the delivery of EU Structural Fund assistance...
.
For elections to the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
, it is part of the East constituency which returns three MEPs
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
.
Demographics
The county's population has nearly doubled to some 186,000 in 1990-2005. The north eastern region of Kildare had the highest average per-capita income in Ireland outside County DublinCounty Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
in 2003. East Kildare's population has increased rapidly, for example the amount of housing in the Naas suburb of Sallins
Sallins
Sallins is a suburban town in County Kildare, Ireland, situated 3.5 km north of the town centre of Naas, from which it is separated by the M7 motorway. Sallins is the anglicised name of Na Solláin which means "The Willows"....
has increased sixfold since the mid 1990s. As from June 30th 2011 , the population of the county is 209,622. http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp
Economy
Kildare currently (2010) contains the European base of electronics firms, Intel and Hewlett Packard, two of the largest employers in this sector in the entire island. Pharmaceutical giant WyethWyeth
Wyeth, formerly one of the companies owned by American Home Products Corporation , was a pharmaceutical company. The company was based in Madison, New Jersey, USA...
has its European Manufacturing base in Newbridge
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
, with another plant in nearby Newcastle in County Dublin. Major pizza-making, soft drinks, and frozen food enterprises are located in Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
. Large supermarket distribution centres are located in Naas, Newbridge
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
and Kilcock
Kilcock
Kilcock or Killcock is a town and townland in the north of County Kildare, Ireland, on the border with County Meath. Kilcock is a dormitory town for many of those who work in Dublin...
. Some of Ireland's most glamorous boutiques are in Naas such as the Emporium Kalu on Main Street Naas which is the most expensive boutique in Ireland. The county has numerous shopping malls in the main towns such as Manor Shopping centre in Maynooth, Kildare Village Outlet Shopping Centre in Kildare Town, Naas Shopping Mall under construction and the Whitewater Centre in Newbridge.
The Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
's largest military base, its command headquarters, and its training centre are located at the Curragh
Curragh Camp
The Curragh Camp is an army base and military college located in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Army.- Brief history of the Curragh's military heritage :...
. Allenwood
Allenwood
Allenwood is a small Irish village in County Kildare situated on the Grand Canal. Allenwood is located about from Dublin and half way between Rathangan and Clane in North County Kildare....
and Timahoe
Timahoe
Timahoe is a village in County Laois, Ireland, 12 km south of Portlaoise on the R426 regional road.-Features:The village of Timahoe is situated in a broad and fertile valley. The houses are built around a large central green, known as the Goosegreen...
are also the location of large peat burning power stations operated by the state, and Kildare has historically be an employment centre in this sector.
Kildare is the centre of the Irish horse industry. Kildare has more stud farms than any other county in Ireland, and three important racecources at Punchestown, near Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
, Naas Racecourse itself and at the leading flat national racecourse at the Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
. Kildare is also home to the state owned Irish National Stud
Irish National Stud
The Irish National Stud is a Thoroughbred horse breeding facility based at Tully, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland...
farm, the national equestrian centre in Kill, and Goff's equine auction centre (also in Kill). Most of Ireland's prominent show jumping competitors are located in, or come from county Kildare, especially the areas near Kilcock and Sallins. Several prominent international breeders have substantial stud farms in Kildare, including many from the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
world.
County Kildare is the richest county in Ireland outside of Dublin and has the lowest unemployment rates in Ireland, throughout the economic recession of the 1980s. House prices in the county but especially in the North East of the county e.g. Naas and Maynooth have always been considerably higher than the other counties in the country outside Dublin. Kildare was the first county in Ireland to experience the Celtic Tiger
Celtic Tiger
Celtic Tiger is a term used to describe the economy of Ireland during a period of rapid economic growth between 1995 and 2007. The expansion underwent a dramatic reversal from 2008, with GDP contracting by 14% and unemployment levels rising to 14% by 2010...
economic boom in the early 1990s, mainly as a result of the decision of Intel to locate between Leixlip and Maynooth. From various high tech companies like Intel and Hewlett Packard the county is sometimes dubbed "the Silicon Valley of Europe", and had a pick up in construction that predated that of other counties.
The North and East parts of Kildare (Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
, Maynooth
Maynooth
Maynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
, Celbridge
Celbridge
Celbridge is a town and townland on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. It is west of Dublin. As a town within the Dublin Metropolitan Area and the Greater Dublin Area, it is located at the intersection of the R403 and R405 regional roads....
, Leixlip
Leixlip
-Politics:Since 1988 Leixlip has had a nine member Town Council , headed by a Cathaoirleach , which has control over many local matters, although it is limited in that it is not also a planning authority...
,Kilcock) is considered more of a industrial and suburban style area. It is the area where most economic development in the county takes place and is considered the more wealthier areas of the county, it is the more densely populated areas of Kildare. The NE part of the county e.g., Celbridge and Leixlip is considered in the Western Suburbs of Dublin.
The South and West parts of Kildare (Athy, Kildare, Newbridge
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
, Monasterevin, Rathangan) is considered the more agriculturally dominated area in the county and is less populated then the more densely populated areas in the North and East of the county.
Road
County Kildare houses the hub of IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's network of major road
Road
A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...
s.
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
travels along the north of the county
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
by-pass
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
ing the towns of Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock.
The N7(M7)
M7 motorway (Republic of Ireland)
The M7 motorway is a motorway in Ireland. The motorway runs continuously from the outskirts of Naas in County Kildare to Rossbrien on the outskirts of Limerick City. The M7 forms part of the Dublin to Limerick N7 national primary road. The section of the motorway bypassing Naas, an 8 km...
from Dublin to Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
runs through the county and by-passes the towns of Naas, Newbridge, Kildare and Monasterevin. This road is colloquially referred to as the "Naas Dual carriageway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
" because when it was originally up-graded in 1964 the road from Dublin to Naas was a double lane carriageway, one of the first of its kind in Ireland.
The N9(M9) is another National Primary Route that commences at Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
and ends at Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
. It is motorway standard to Waterford, with a small gap of single lane carriageway between Carlow and Kilkenny (full motorway due for completion September 2010).
Rail
The County is also served by the trains connecting the Dublin to Munster, South Leinster, and South Connaught, with daily connections to CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Waterford, Limerick, and Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. The principal Irish Rail intercity train station in the county is Kildare, however, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazelhatch
Hazelhatch
Hazelhatch is an area on the border between County Kildare and County Dublin in Ireland. It is located approximately halfway between Celbridge and Newcastle. It is located on the R405 regional road. The Grand Canal passes through the area, and Hazelhatch is one of the places of recreational...
are also served by a Dublin commuter train service called the Arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
.
Waterway
Kildare is the centre of Ireland's Grand Canal network built in the late 18th century. This connects Kildare with Waterford, Dublin, Limerick and Athlone. The Royal Canal runs west from Dublin and parts of it form the boundary with County MeathCounty Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Education
- Two third-level educational institutions -- St. Patrick's College founded by King George III in 1795 to educate Ireland's Catholics and the National University of Ireland, MaynoothNational University of Ireland, MaynoothThe National University of Ireland, Maynooth , was founded by the Universities Act, 1997 as a constituent university of the National University of Ireland. It is Ireland's second oldest university, having been formed from St Patrick's College, Maynooth, itself founded in 1795.The university is...
founded in 1997—are located in MaynoothMaynoothMaynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
. They share campus space and many facilities. The two institutions were formally separated in 1997. NUI Maynooth is the only universityUniversityA university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in the Republic of Ireland not situated in a city. - Clongowes Wood CollegeClongowes Wood CollegeClongowes Wood College is a voluntary secondary boarding school for boys, located near Clane in County Kildare, Ireland. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1814, it is one of Ireland's oldest Catholic schools, and featured prominently in James Joyce's semi-autobiographical novel A Portrait of the...
is a private secondary boarding school for boys, located near Clane. Founded by the Society of JesusSociety of JesusThe Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
(The Jesuits) in 1814, it is one of Ireland's oldest Catholic schools. - The town of Clane is home to another educational institute, Clane CollegeClane CollegeClane College is a private educational institute located in Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Having formerly operated under the appellation of Clane Business School, in 2001 they changed this to its current form in order to reflect the Colleges more diverse range of courses. At the time of writing,...
, a provider of further education to the wider Kildare community. - Newbridge CollegeNewbridge CollegeNewbridge College is a co-educational fee-paying secondary school in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland, run by the Dominican Order. The Dominican Fathers founded Newbridge College in 1852 as a boarding school for boys...
is a co-educational secondary school. The Dominican OrderDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
founded Newbridge College in 1852 as a boarding school for boys. - Pipers Hill College Naas is a second level college opened in August 2009 to replace St. Patrick's Community College.
Music
- Bell X1 are from CelbridgeCelbridgeCelbridge is a town and townland on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. It is west of Dublin. As a town within the Dublin Metropolitan Area and the Greater Dublin Area, it is located at the intersection of the R403 and R405 regional roads....
, County Kildare - Blood or WhiskeyBlood or WhiskeyBlood or Whiskey is an Irish punk/folk band from Leixlip, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland.The band was formed in September 1993 taking strong influence from Shane MacGowan, as well as The Pogues and The Clash...
, punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/irish music band originate from LeixlipLeixlip-Politics:Since 1988 Leixlip has had a nine member Town Council , headed by a Cathaoirleach , which has control over many local matters, although it is limited in that it is not also a planning authority... - Luka BloomLuka BloomLuka Bloom is an Irish folk-rock singer-songwriter. He is the younger brother of Irish folk singer Christy Moore.-Early life:...
is from NewbridgeNewbridge, County KildareThe earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany.... - Joseph DoyleJoe Doyle (musician)Joe Doyle is the bassist and backing singer for Irish rock band The Frames and the Swell Season. He has been a member of The Frames since 1996, appearing on six albums to date...
, bassist from Irish band The FramesThe FramesThe Frames are an Irish band based in Dublin. Founded in 1990 by Glen Hansard, the band has been influential in the Dublin rock music scene. The group has released six albums...
is from AllenwoodAllenwoodAllenwood is a small Irish village in County Kildare situated on the Grand Canal. Allenwood is located about from Dublin and half way between Rathangan and Clane in North County Kildare.... - Graham HopkinsGraham HopkinsGraham Hopkins is an Irish drummer. He is the drummer in The Swell Season, The Frames, and former drummer for the hard rock/punk rock band Therapy?.- Early years :...
, drummer with The FramesThe FramesThe Frames are an Irish band based in Dublin. Founded in 1990 by Glen Hansard, the band has been influential in the Dublin rock music scene. The group has released six albums...
, The Swell SeasonThe Swell SeasonThe Swell Season is a folk rock duo formed by Irish musician Glen Hansard and Czech singer and pianist Markéta Irglová. "The Swell Season" name is derived from Hansard's favourite novel by Josef Škvorecký from 1975 bearing the same title...
, and Therapy?Therapy?Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
is from ClaneClaneClane is a town on the River Liffey and in the barony of Clane in County Kildare, Ireland, from Dublin.Its population of 4,968 makes it the eighth largest town in Kildare and the 78th largest in the Republic of Ireland.... - Damien LeithDamien LeithDamien Leo Leith is an Irish Australian singer–songwriter. He was the winner of the Network Ten music contest Australian Idol 2006Damien has also guest co-hosted 'The Morning Show' on Network Ten on 18 July 2011.He was born in Ireland and now lives in Australia with his Australian wife, Eileen...
, Australian Idol 2006 winner and singer-songwriterSinger-songwriterSinger-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
lived in MilltownMilltown, County KildareMilltown is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is 7 km from the town of Newbridge. It is on the R415 regional road between Allenwood and Crookstown.-Demographics:...
until he moved to AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. - Jack LukemanJack LukemanJack Lukeman , usually simply known as Jack L, is an Irish songwriter, musician, record producer, vocal artist and broadcaster known to perform in English, Irish, French, German, Czechoslovakian and Maori....
, otherwise known as Jack L, is from AthyAthyThe town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century... - Donal LunnyDónal LunnyDónal Lunny is an Irish folk musician. Lunny has been at the forefront of the evolution of traditional Irish music for more than thirty-five years and has participated within the renaissance of traditional Irish music in that time period...
was raised in Newbridge. - MayKayMayKayMary-Kate Geraghty—known as MayKay—is an Irish musician known as the frontwoman of Fight Like Apes, with whom she has released numerous records and received several award nominations. She has also given solo performances as a DJ...
, lead singer of Fight Like ApesFight Like ApesFight Like Apes are an Irish alternative rock band formed in Dublin in 2006.Their current members are Mary-Kate "MayKay" Geraghty , Jamie "Pockets" Fox and Tom Ryan , while original member Adrian Mullan left the band in 2010 due to creative differences...
, is a native of the county - Miracle BellMiracle BellMiracle Bell are an Indie Rock band from Naas, Ireland. Formed in 2005 the band is composed of band members Dave Prendergast, John Broe & John Rigney.-History:...
, Indie-pop band, hail from NaasNaasNaas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
. - Christy MooreChristy MooreChristopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
, folk musician, was born in Newbridge. - Paul Quinn, lead singer of the rock band No SweatNo Sweat (band)No Sweat were an Irish rock band, active during the late 1980s and early 1990s. They are best remembered for their single, "Heart and Soul" , which topped the Irish Singles Chart for two weeks in June 1989....
, hailed from KilcockKilcockKilcock or Killcock is a town and townland in the north of County Kildare, Ireland, on the border with County Meath. Kilcock is a dormitory town for many of those who work in Dublin... - Liam O'FlynnLiam O'FlynnLiam O'Flynn is a master uilleann piper and prominent Irish folk musician. In addition to an impressive solo career and his work with the Irish traditional group Planxty, O'Flynn has recorded with many prominent international musical artists, including Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Enya,...
from the band Planxty is from KillKill, County KildareKill is a village and parish in County Kildare, Ireland near the county's border with Dublin beside the N7. Its population of 2,510 makes it the 13th largest town in County Kildare. Kill is the birthpace of the Fenian John Devoy, sometimes regarded as the "grandfather of the modern Irish state"... - Damien RiceDamien RiceDamien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who plays guitar, piano, clarinet and percussion....
was born in Celbridge - Super Extra Bonus PartySuper Extra Bonus PartySuper Extra Bonus Party were a Choice Music Prize winning indie-electronica band, formed in November 2005 and based in Kildare, Ireland. Their music spanned various genres such as electronica, indie and hip hop...
, Choice Music award winners, are from Newbridge - Heidi TalbotHeidi TalbotHeidi Talbot is an Irish folk singer from Kill, County Kildare, Ireland. Talbot is the former singer of Irish-American musical group Cherish the Ladies.-Early life and education:...
is from KillKill, County KildareKill is a village and parish in County Kildare, Ireland near the county's border with Dublin beside the N7. Its population of 2,510 makes it the 13th largest town in County Kildare. Kill is the birthpace of the Fenian John Devoy, sometimes regarded as the "grandfather of the modern Irish state"... - Rolling Stones guitarist Ron WoodRon WoodRonald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and current member of The Rolling Stones. He also plays lap and pedal steel guitar....
owns a home in the area
GAA
The nickname for the Kildare GAAKildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
team is the Lilywhites, a reference to the all-white jerseys they wear.
In 1928, Kildare became the first team to win the Sam Maguire
Sam Maguire
Samuel Maguire , an Irish republican and Gaelic footballer, is chiefly remembered as the eponym of the Sam Maguire Cup, given to the All-Ireland Senior Champions of Gaelic football.-Early life:...
trophy for the All Ireland football Championship, defeating Cavan 2-6 to 2-5.
County Kildare is also known as the Shortgrass County which is a reference to how short the grass is on the commons of the Curragh.
Golf
The Michael SmurfitMichael Smurfit
Sir Michael Smurfit, KBE , is a businessman holding Irish citizenship. In the 2010 Irish Independent Rich List, he was listed at 25th, with a €368 million personal fortune.-Early life:...
owned K Club, situated on the River Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
near Straffan
Straffan
Sruthán was mistakenly cited by Thomas O'Connor in the Ordnance Survey Letters in 1837, and adopted as the Irish form of Straffan. Seosamh Laoide used it in his list of Irish names of post-offices published in Post-Sheanchas . An Sruthán gained currency among those involved in the Irish revival...
played host to the 2006 Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
. Other prominent courses are located at Knockanally, Carton Estate, and Clane
Clane
Clane is a town on the River Liffey and in the barony of Clane in County Kildare, Ireland, from Dublin.Its population of 4,968 makes it the eighth largest town in Kildare and the 78th largest in the Republic of Ireland....
.
Horse racing
Kildare is famous worldwide for its horse racing. The CurraghCurragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
horse-racing course is the home to all five Irish Classic Flat races. Also located in County Kildare are two other courses, Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
, home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland, and Naas Racecourse, which runs both National Hunt and Flat meetings and is used by top race horse trainers as a test for horses preparing for the Cheltenham festival.
The county is famous for the quality of horses bred in the many stud farms to which it is home, including the Irish National Stud
Irish National Stud
The Irish National Stud is a Thoroughbred horse breeding facility based at Tully, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland...
and many other top studs such as Gilltown, Moyglare and Kildangan Stud, and race horse training establishments, such as the Osborne Stables.
Twinning
County Kildare is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with the following places: Deauville
Deauville
Deauville is a commune in the Calvados département in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.With its racecourse, harbour, international film festival, marinas, conference centre, villas, Grand Casino and sumptuous hotels, Deauville is regarded as the "queen of the Norman beaches" and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
Both are major centres of the Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
breeding industry in their respective countries.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kildare)
- Lord Lieutenant of KildareLord Lieutenant of KildareThis is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Kildare. The office was created on 23 August 1831.*Augustus FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster 7 October 1831 – 10 October 1874*Henry Moore, 3rd Marquess of Drogheda 4 December 1874 – 29 June 1892...
- High Sheriff of KildareHigh Sheriff of KildareThe High Sheriff of Kildare was the British Crown’s judicial representative in County Kildare, Ireland from the 16th century until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Free State and replaced by the office of Kildare County Sheriff. The High Sheriff had judicial, electoral, ceremonial and...