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About NUI Maynooth
About the Local Area
Things to do
Golf
World class golf is played on the courses around Maynooth.
Carton House Golf Club* hosted the Nissan Irish Open in 2005 and will do so again in 2006.
The K Club* is home to the Smurfit European Open since 1995, and is the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Knockanally Golf Club* is an Irish Champion Golf Course.
Fishing
Maynooth Fisheries* provides very good angling and fly fishing opportunities. For further fishing amenities throughout Kildare check out the Central Fisheries Board* website.
Equestrian
Kildare has been branded The Thoroughbred County due to its association with all things equestrian. The rich flat lands of Kildare are home to the headquarters of the bloodstock industry in Ireland so just about any horse related activity is possible.
Horse riding and trekking are widely available. Check out the variety of options available on Kildarehorses.ie*. Some centres also offer other activities such as clay pigeon shooting.
How about a day at the races while you're staying in Maynooth? The Curragh Racecourse* is less then an hour's drive away and is the head quarters of horse racing in Ireland.
Don't forget to visit the National Stud. (see below).
Motor Racing
Experience the thrill of driving a race prepared saloon car and single seater race car at Mondello Park* in Naas
Walks and tours
Take the opportunity when visiting Maynooth to take a trip to the National Stud* and Japanese Gardens* in Kildare town. Kildare's biggest tourist attraction with tours running daily during the summer months - check the website for more information.
St Fiachra's Garden is the newest addition and was built in 2000 to celebrate the millennium.
Celbridge Abbey
Phone: 353 1 6275508
Built in 1697, Celbridge Abbey, with its links to Jonathon Swift, is worth a visit, to take a themed walk around the grounds and learn the story of Vanessa and Swift. Tearooms, a model railway, a picnic area and a garden centre are all on the site. Celbridge Abbey is open all year Mon-Sat 10.00-18.00 Sun and Bank Holidays 12.00-18.00
Straffan Butterfly Farm
Enjoy a live tropical butterfly exhibition* in this indoor all weather centre - a mini visit to an exotic tropical environment where butterflies fly and feed around you.
Heritage
North Kildare has a wonderfully rich collection of historical places and buildings to visit. From the whimsical (the Obelisk, the Wonderful Barn*) to the grand and imposing (Castletown House*) or the medieval ( Maynooth Castle, Leixlip Castle*). Many of the Georgian mansions in the area are now hotels or golf clubs and can be visited in their new capacity. Straffan House is now the K Club, the seat of the Dukes of Leinster is now Carton House and Golf Club.
Castletown House* is the largest and finest Palladian mansion in Ireland. Its magnificent exterior and sumptuous interiors and rooms are well worth a visit. It is open to the public and has a coffee shop for visitors.
Shopping
The brand new Manor Mills shopping complex* has recently opened in Maynooth. Shops include Dunnes, Sasha, Easons and Elverys Sports. Maynooth town itself is also well equipped with shopping facilities including several boutiques, a beauty salon, a bookshop, hairdressers, newsagents, off licences and convenience stores. The Tesco complex to the top of the Main street includes a shoe shop and the post office as well as a large supermarket. There are also shopping facilities in the Glenroyal Centre including a Supervalu supermarket plus a chemist, newsagent, hairdresser and sports shop.
Shopping facilities near by include Liffey Valley*, located approximately 13 miles from Maynooth and the Blanchardstown Centre*, also located approximately 13 miles away. Both contain a good mix of high street stores and boutiques.