Things to Do in Maynooth, Ireland
We’ve selected some of our favourite things to do in Maynooth, our choice restaurants and places we like to visit in the surrounding area.
The ancient name of Maynooth ‘Magh Nuadhat’ means the plain of Nuadhat. Nuadhat is referred to as the maternal grandfather of the legendary Fionn MaCumhail in the ‘Annals of the Four Masters’.
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Restaurants in Maynooth>>>
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Restaurants in Maynooth
We’ve selected some of our favourite places to eat lunch and dinner.
Takeaways in Maynooth
We’ve selected some of our favourite places to eat lunch and dinner.
Places to Visit Near Maynooth
Maynooth Castle
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19th May – 28th September 2016
Open Wednesday – Sunday and Bank Holidays – 10.00 – 18.00
Average Length of Visit: 45 minutes
Last guided tour 16.30. Grounds close 17.45.
Please note: The Castle will close for the winter at 4pm 28th September.
Admission Fees
Free
Address: Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Telephone No: + 353 1 628 6744.
Fax No: + 353 1 628 6848.
Email: maynoothcastle@opw.ie
The area covered by modern Kildare was granted by Strongbow to Maurice Fitzgerald in 1176. The castle was built at the junction of two streams in the late 12th century and became the home of the Fitzgerald family from then on and was expanded by Sir John Fitzgerald in the 15th century. The Fitzgeralds became the Earls of Kildare and Lords Deputy of Ireland.
In 1426 the sixth Earl of Kildare enlarged and rebuilt the castle. In the latter half of the fifteenth century, Maynooth Castle became the centre of the Geraldine powerbase, as the Earls of Kildare increased their strength of ‘rule’. However this was something which the English monarchy disliked. Silken Thomas (so called because of his fine clothes), alias Lord Offaly, was a son of Garret Óg, the ninth Earl of Kildare. Thomas rose up in rebellion against the king who had arrested his father, and held him in the Tower of London. Thomas marched to Dublin Castle and threw down the sword of state, declaring himself an enemy of the king. However, the Fitzgerald occupation of the castle ended with the 1534 rebellion of Silken Thomas. An English force, led by William Skeffington, bombarded the massive castle in March 1535, the heavy modern siege guns of the English army making a ruin of much of the Medieval structure. The castle fell after a ten-day siege and the garrison summarily executed before the castle gate and this became known, ironically, as the ‘Maynooth Pardon’. Silken Thomas was captured shortly afterwards and committed to the Tower of London with his five uncles. They were executed for treason at Tyburn on 3 February 1537.
The Castle was restored in 1630-35 by Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, after his daughter had married George FitzGerald but much of this building was destroyed in the 1640s during the Eleven years war. Only the gatehouse (on which united arms of the Boyles and FitzGeralds can still be viewed) and the Solar Tower survive. The Fitzgeralds left Maynooth for good and made first Kilkea Castle and then Carton House their family seat.
Carton House
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19th May – 28th September 2016
Open Wednesday – Sunday and Bank Holidays – 10.00 – 18.00
Average Length of Visit: 45 minutes
Last guided tour 16.30. Grounds close 17.45.
Please note: The Castle will close for the winter at 4pm 28th September.
Admission Fees
Free
Address: Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Telephone No: + 353 1 628 6744.
Fax No: + 353 1 628 6848.
Email: maynoothcastle@opw.ie
Carton House Demesne
The estate first came into the ownership of the FitzGerald family shortly after Maurice FitzGerald played an active role in the capture of Dublin by the Normans in 1170 and was rewarded by being appointed Lord of Maynooth, an area covering townlands which include Carton House.
His son became Baron Offaly in 1205 and his descendant John FitzGerald, became Earl of Kildare in 1315. Under the eighth earl, the FitzGerald family reached pre-eminence as the virtual rulers of Ireland between 1477 and 1513.
However, the eighth earl’s grandson, the eloquently titled Silken Thomas was executed in 1537, with his five uncles, for leading an uprising against the English. Although the FitzGeralds subsequently regained their land and titles, they did not regain their position at the English Court until the 18th century when Robert, the 19th Earl of Kildare, became a noted statesman.
First house at Carton
The first record of a house at Carton was in the 17th century when William Talbot, Recorder of the city of Dublin was given a lease of the lands by the 14th Earl of Kildare and is thought to have built a house. The house and lands were forfeited to the crown in 1691 and in 1703 sold to Major General Richard Ingoldsby, Master General of the Ordnance.
Current House
In 1739, the lease was sold back to the 19th Earl of Kildare, who employed Richard Cassels to build the existing house. This was the same year the FitzGerald family bought Frescati House. Castle (originally Cassels) was also responsible for some other grand Irish houses, including Summerhill House, Westport House, Powerscourt House and in 1745, Leinster House, which he also built for the FitzGeralds.
In 1747, James FitzGerald, 20th Earl of Kildare (from 1766 1st Duke of Leinster), married Lady Emily Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond and great–granddaughter of Charles II. Lady Emily played an important role in the development of the house and estate as it is today. She created the Chinese room (bedroom to Queen Victoria) and decorated the famous Shell Cottage on the estate with shells from around the world. One of Emily’s 23 children was the famous Irish Patriot Lord Edward FitzGerald, leader of the 1798 rebellion.
Castletown House and Parklands
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Parkland Opening Times:
The October 2015 to March 2016 opening/closing times for the gates/access to the estate are as follows:
Batty Langley Gate (Pedestrian Access) 06:30 to 19:30
Celbridge Avenue Gate (Pedestrian Access) 06:45 to 19:45
M4 Gate (Vehicle Access) 07:00 to 20:00
The gates are open everyday throughout the year. Free admission to the estate, daily.
Tours of the House daily from the 12th March to the 31st October and Thursday to Sunday, November and December*.
March, April and September
Access by guided tour only. Public tours at: 10.15, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 4.45pm
May, June, July and August
Guided tours Monday to Saturday at: 10.15, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 4.45pm
Guided tours Sunday at: 10.15, 11am, 3pm and 4.45pm
Self Guided tours: Sundays (May to August) between 12pm to 5pm.
October
Guided tours daily. Public tours at: 10.15am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
November and December
Guided tours Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday *(to the 11th of December 2016)
A guided tour of the house will take an hour and it covers the history, from 1722, when building commenced, right up to the present day and the recent work which has been undertaken by the Office of Public Works and Failte Ireland. The diverse and fascinating history of Conolly family members who lived in the house are explained, and visitors get a chance to view the stunning architecture, furniture and vast collection of paintings within the rooms.
The guiding team at Castletown are delighted to welcome School tours and Private groups, but advanced booking is essential.
The recently restored 18th century designed parklands and river walks are open every day throughout the year. There is no admission fee to walk and explore the parklands. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead and are not allowed in the lake as there is wildlife nesting.
2016 Admission/Tours of the House.
Adults | € 7.00 |
Senior Citizens | € 5.00 |
Students/Children (over 5 yrs) | € 3.00 |
Family (2 Adults, 3 Children) | €17.00 |
Groups (of over 20 people) | €5.00 |
CONTACT:
Address: Castletown House, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, W23 V9H3
Telephone No: + 353 1 628 8252
Fax No: + 353 1 627 1811
Email: info@castletown.ie or castletown@opw.ie
Castletown is the largest and most significant Palladian style country house in Ireland. The house is set amongst beautiful 18th century parklands of Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The house was built c.1722 for the speaker of the Irish House of Commons, William Conolly (1662- 1729) the designs of a number of important architects were used, notably Alessandro Gailiei, Sir Edward Lovett Pearce and later Sir William Chambers. The entire estate was sold by the Conolly-Carew family in 1965 to a property developer and in 1967 the house and some parkland were purchased by the Hon. Desmond Guinness. Both Mr Guinness and subsequently the Castletown Foundation, who acquired the house in 1979, devoted considerable effort and resources to maintaining the house and restoring the principal rooms to a high standard. Castletown was transferred to state care on 1 January 1994.
Castletown is Ireland’s largest and earliest Palladian style house. Built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. The façade was almost certainly designed by the Italian architect, Alessandro Galilei, while the Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce added the wings.
The house remained in the hands of the Speaker’s descendants until 1965 when the house was purchased by a property developer Major Wilson. Fortunately the house was saved in 1967 when along with 120 acres of the demesne lands it was purchased by the Hon. Desmond Guinness, founder of the Irish Georgian Society for £93,000. The house was opened to the public in the same year and restoration work began, funded by the Irish Georgian Society and private benefactors. In 1979 care of the house passed to the Castletown Foundation, a charitable trust which was established to own, maintain and to continue the restoration of the house.
In 1994 the house with the exception of the contents, was transferred to State care and it is now managed by the Office of Public Works. The transfer to State ownership has paved the way for a major programme of restoration and conservation work of the house and demesne lands. Through restoration, conservation, acquisition of parkland and development of visitor facilities, the long term objective is to preserve for future generations one of the most important houses in Ireland and one of significance in terms of European architectural heritage.
St. Patrick’s College
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19th May – 28th September 2016
Open Wednesday – Sunday and Bank Holidays – 10.00 – 18.00
Average Length of Visit: 45 minutes
Last guided tour 16.30. Grounds close 17.45.
Please note: The Castle will close for the winter at 4pm 28th September.
Admission Fees
Free
Address: Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Telephone No: + 353 1 628 6744.
Fax No: + 353 1 628 6848.
Email: maynoothcastle@opw.ie
St. Patrick’s College
http://www.visitmaynooth.com/tour-times/
St Patrick’s College, Maynooth (Irish: Coláiste Naoimh Phádraig, Maigh Nuad), is the “National Seminary for Ireland” (a Roman Catholic college), and a Pontifical University, located in the village of Maynooth, 24 km from Dublin, Ireland. In 2015-16 there were approximately 80 men studying for the priesthood at Maynooth, 60 resident seminarians and approximately 20 non residents. The college and seminary are often referred to as Maynooth College. The college was officially established as the Royal College of St Patrick by an Act of Grattan’s Parliament in 1795. Thomas Pelham, the Secretary of State, introduced his Bill for the foundation of a Catholic college, and this was enacted by Parliament.
Degrees are awarded by the Pontifical University at Maynooth, which was established by a Pontifical Charter of 1896. The Pontifical Charter entitles the university to grant degrees in canon law, philosophy and theology.
The college is associated with the separate Maynooth University.
Activities
Golf
The Manor Suite is in the West Annex of Moyglare House, an 18th century Georgian ensemble. The accommodation has a stylish, newly renovated interior.
The sun streams into the rear conservatory in the morning. Moyglare sits in an old world setting with beautiful views and walks. Maynooth is a bustling university town with many great cafes and restaurants.
FAQs
We have three friendly dogs. Rupert the pug is our little doggy butler. Henry, our fawn french bulldog, is the boss, and Molly, our red labrador is everybody’s friend.
We do not provide a cooked breakfast or dinner. However, we supply a breakfast hamper on the day of your arrival and the kitchens contain basic supplies like tea, coffee, salt, pepper, etc.
Yes, you can enjoy you lunch or dinner at Bistro 53, Avenue Restaurant, Picaderos, Donatello’s Restaurant, and more in the town.
We are only 25 km from Dublin airport. A taxi can cost between €50 – €80. There is an airport shuttle, call the Airport Hopper, that operates between the airport and Maynooth town. You would need to get a taxi from the town to Moyglare.
Maynooth town is only 4km away, which is about an 8 minute drive, 15 minute cycle or 45 minute walk.
Dublin is 30km/18m. It takes about 35 minutes to drive to the centre of the city depending on traffic. You can also take the train which takes about 40 minutes (and you won’t have to find parking!) The bus can take over an hour.
Yes, but we highly recommend having a rental car to get around!
Maynooth train station is in the town. Trains depart about once an hour (twice an hour during rush hour). You can take the train into Dublin, or, as it is on the Sligo line, you can take the train towards the there too.
There are also Maynooth – Dublin buses from the centre of the town. The timetables are linked below: