Things To Do

Oxegen 2010

Europe's favourite Rock and Roll weekend is back, promising once again to deliver some of the finest music around over and action packed weekend in the middle of July. Last year's event was a success in spite of the buckets of rain, as the likes of Elbow, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blur and Kings of Leon didn't disappoint and solidified their statuses as bona fide rock gods. No details have been revealed for this coming year's lineup just yet, but expect them to at least try to top 2009. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us this year, too. But hey, this is Ireland - bring your wellies.
Punchestown, Naas - 09/07/2010 - 11/07/2010

The Gerard Manley Hopkins International Festival

This is a festival with a vision. It reflects not only Hopkins''s poetical genius but also representing, at a high level, the whole range of his interests and accomplishments.

This is not your average, narrow gathering of specialists: it includes not only Poetry, Readings and Lectures but also Music, Film, Workshops, Field Trips and convivial evenings in The Festival Club. Facing into our 23rd Festival, the Committee is happy to announce that this promises to be exceptional. From Saturday July 24 to Friday July30 2010, international and Irish participants will be heading for Newbridge. At least, 20 countries will be represented and there will be a strong presence by leading Irish Writers, Artists and Scholars.
Newbridge 24/07/2010 - 30/07/2010

Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, Newbridge, Co. Kildare

The home of Greyhound Racing at its best, Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, situated right in the heart of the county is one of Kildare's premier weekend night-time entertainment venues.

This state of the art facility features a 110 seater top-class restaurant, three separate bars each with individual character, a quality fast-food outlet and much, much more to make your night at the dogs a most enjoyable experience.

Supervised Free Car Parking - The car park is designed to cater for 530 cars and 10 coaches

Racing commences at 19.45, every Friday and Saturday evening - Door Open at 7.00 PM.

Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park, Rathangan, Co. Kildare

Facilities include the brilliant Indoor Play Centre, "Funky Forest", outdoor play area and quality 18 hole Crazy Golf Course, pet farm, woodland/bogland walks, informative historic exhibitions. The train trip through the bog is a great way to finish off a memorable day out for all. Open everyday 10.00 to 18.00. No time limit stay all day!

Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park provides a healthy option to all families and visitors with a variety of fun indoor and outdoor activities.

Ramble through the woodland and gardens, take a relaxing trip on the train and explore the wonder of our natural environment and heritage.

For the younger ones its fun all the way with the Funky Forest Indoor Play Centre, quality outdoor playground, 18 hole Crazy Golf and large football pitch. There is no time limit on visits - so make a day of it!

Funky Forest
With a reputation as one of the finest play centres in the country, our fantastic Indoor centre has something for everyone to enjoy, even the mums and dads! Hard play area, climbing nets, bridges and speedy cable run. Large ball pool and soft play area. Great air hockey, table tennis and fuzball tables in leisure area.

Outdoor Play and Crazy Golf
Offering a great range of outdoor activities for all the kids. Climb the wooden castles, fly on the swings or try out some of the rope bridges and all within the safety of a soft ground to land on. Junior and Senior children are catered for in the play area with a sand pit thrown in for good measure. Test your skills on our extensive 18 Hole Crazy Golf Course with a Heritage Twist. See what happens when you take on some of the challenges

Motor Racing

Mondello International Motor Racing Circuit has an exciting programme of car and motorbike racing every year.
An exciting programme of car and motorbike racing is held at Mondello every year. In addition, there is a Racing Driving School, where people can get instruction and tuition.

Opening Times:
The race meetings run from February to December, usually on Saturdays and Sundays

Location
From Naas town centre, turn left out the road to Newbridge and take a left for Caragh. The racecourse is approximately 1 mile beyond Caragh village

Newbridge Silverware

For 70 years, Newbridge Silverware has designed and produced homeware products, continuously innovating and producing items that are relevant to the lifestyles of each new generation of customers. The unique history of the company provides a wealth of tradition craftsmanship and experience, while a contemporary and fresh attitude to marketing and design puts Newbridge Silverware on the cutting edge of modern living.
Newbridge Silverware, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Horse Racing Naas

There has never been a better time to go racing at Naas Racecourse, located in the heart of the Thoroughbred County of Kildare, just 25 minutes drive from Dublin City and en route to Cork and Waterford.
Phone: +353 (0)45 897391
Location: Naas - An Nás add to my discoveries





Horse Racing - 4 top class race courses within a radius of 8 miles.

• The Curragh Racecourse which is the head quarters of horse racing in Ireland. The Curragh is host to Classic Races such as the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas, Budweiser Irish Derby, Darley Irish Oaks and Irish Field St Leger. Click here for The Curragh Race Days 2007


• Punchestown Racecourse is home of National Hunt Racing in Ireland. Punchestown also offers a state of the art Event and Exhibition Centre which was added to the Punchestown complex


• Naas Racecourse(with a fixture list of both flat and National Hunt)


• Fairyhouse Racecourse Home to the Irish Grand National

Horse Riding - Kill International Equestrian Centre (1/2 mile) this state of the art facility offers an Olympic Indoor Arena for more information visit Kill Equestrian Centre

Angling - Coarse and fly fishing nearby

Shopping- 7 miles from the White Water Shopping in Newbridge and situated only 17 miles from Dublin's City Centre.

Walking Tour of Kildare Town
Learn about the mythology of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and St Brigid, patroness of the Gaels.Key stops along the route include St Brigid’s Cathedral, a Norman tower house, the site of the Turf Club, and the twelfth century Franciscan Abbey.

Tourist Attractions- such as the National Stud and Japanese Gardens, Kildare. Castletown and Leixlip Castle Kildare. The Guinness Store House, Christ Church Cathedral, Phoenix Park and numerous museums all based in Dublin.

Wicklow: Known as the 'Garden of Ireland’ Wicklow offers some beautiful scenery such as Wicklow Mountains and the lakes around Glendalough a famous monastic settlement.

There is something for everyone in Kildare and the children will love The Playbarn indoor adventure playground - within walking distance of the cottage

Japanese Gardens
The Gardens, planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man', are now of international renown and are acclaimed as the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe.

The gardens at Tully are a living monument to the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures in a Western setting.

For more information on things to do in Kildare or to book accommodation contact Ashwell Self Catering