Maynooth

Location:

Maynooth is in County Kildare. It is situated about 25km from Dublin on the road west. It has become a very busy suburb of Dublin with the increase in population over the last ten years. It is a mix of rural and urban. It is a thriving town with the expansion of the University, which was originally a Seminary, two large multinational companies in nearby Leixlip and many stud farms for which Kildare is famous.

Amenities:

Maynooth and its surrounding area are justly famous for its amenities. There are many golf clubs in the area, ranging from pitch and putt courses to the world famous K Club, where the Ryder Cup will be held in 2006. There is fishing in the canal which runs through the town, as well as the Liffey and a fly-fishing lake in Moyglare.

There are many equestrian centres nearby, as well as stud farms.

For those who like to walk, there are many beautiful walks, from forest walks in Donadea Forest Park, to canal walks, and walks along quiet leafy country roads through agricultural areas.

Cycling is an ideal way to see Kildare, as the area is reasonably flat and the smaller roads are quiet and scenic.

For those who like history there is a visitors centre in the college as well as Maynooth castle, where the first cannon in Ireland was shot. In nearby Celbridge you can visit the historic Castletown House.

Restaurants:

There are many choices in Maynooth. You can eat anything from fast food to elegant Thai cuisine. There are two Chinese, an and Italian restaurant in the town, as well as carvery food served in the hotels and bars.