The top 5 places to visit in County Kildare

Beautiful County Kildare sits just to the west of County Dublin. All too oft en, tourists make the mistake of simply passing through Kildare on their way to the west of Ireland. But if you do that, you’ll miss out on the beauty of its pastureland, its stunning gardens, its architectural wonders, or an unforgettable day at the races. Here are the top five spots in County Kildare that you just can’t miss.

The Lilywhites have long been known for their horse -racing and stud farms, and nowhere better captures the essence of the county than the National Stud Farm located in Tully, Co. Kildare, the beating heart of Ireland's thoroughbred industry.

It is a dream come true for horse lovers, especially if you visit in time for foaling season when future champions will be finding their feet through a frolic in the fields. Home to several of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds, the stud also features some of the most sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the world in the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden.

Created between 1906 and 1910, the Japanese gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru at the request of Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family. The aim of the garden was to symbolize the “Life of Man” through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks, and water. St. Fiachra's Garden is a fitting tribute to the patron saint of gardeners. Moreinformation: IrishNationalStud. ie.

4

Irish National Stud and Gardens in County Kildare. (Ireland's Content Pool)

Newbridge Silverware Visitor Center & Museum of Style Icons

Newbridge Silverware is synonymous with modern Irish glamor, design and jewelry. The Kildare family company, which dates to the 1930s, has a long heritage, from its early days as a cutlery company to its struggle to make it through World War II to its online store and international success as an Irish brand. The Visitor Center tells that history, in addition to housing the company’s full range of products. The on-site restaurant, Silver, is also a