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A heritage day out in County Kildare

Everything this site lists for County Kildare in one place: 144 entries across holy wells, pattern days, monuments, castles and the coast. Each links to the record or page it comes from. More about County Kildare →

On this site for County Kildare
Holy wells 60Pattern days 10Round towers 5High crosses 15Ogham stones 8Mass rocks 2Sweathouses 0Megalithic tombs 0Crannógs 3Abbeys and friaries 28Castles 13Lighthouses 0Award beaches 0National parks 0
Holy wells · 60

From: Sites and Monuments Record (Republic); Wikidata for Northern Ireland. Holy wells page →

Pattern days · 10
  • Tubber-molin, Kilcullen · 1 February · Kilcullenbridge (Kilcullen ED) · “Jackson attributes the well to St Brigid and says a pattern was formerly held here on 1 February.” · SMR KD028-025 ↗
  • Holy well, Barrettstown · 17 March · Barrettstown (Oldconnell ED) · “Associated with cures for headaches and sore limbs, with a pattern on 17 March.” · SMR KD018-019002 ↗
  • Holy well, Killashee · 17 March · Killashee (Killashee ED) · “Jackson (1979-80) records a pattern held here on 17 March; the water is believed to cure pains and sore eyes.” · SMR KD024-004 ↗
  • Holy well, Oldtown Demesne · 17 March · Oldtown Demesne · “A pattern formerly took place here on 17 March, but the custom had ceased by 1979-80.” · SMR KD019-020 ↗
  • Holy well, Grange West · 24 June · Grange West · “Formerly the focus of a pattern on 24 June but no longer venerated, according to Jackson (1979-80).” · SMR KD002-006 ↗
  • Holy well, Tyrrellstown · 24 June, St John's Day · Tyrrellstown · “The OS Letters say a pattern was formerly held at the well on St John's Day, 24 June.” · SMR KD035-003002 ↗
  • Tubbermohocca, Kilcock · 6 June · Kilcock · “Local tradition recalls a pattern day at the well on 6 June.” · SMR KD005-022 ↗
  • Lady Well, Brackagh · Lady Day in Harvest; in August per Jackson · Brackagh · “The OS Letters record stations here on Lady Day in Harvest, and Jackson (1979-80) says a pattern was held in August.” · SMR KD002-002 ↗
  • Holy well, Carrick · annual (date not given) · Carrick (Rathernan ED) · “A pattern was held here annually up to the 1880s.” · SMR KD018-015 ↗
  • Holy well, Demesne · Trinity Sunday · Demesne · “Frequented on Trinity Sunday per the OS Letters and still the site of a pattern that day according to Jackson (1979-80), when pilgrims drink the water, considered lucky.” · SMR KD008-012 ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record descriptions and Wikipedia. Pattern days page →

Round towers · 5
  • Castledermot · “The lower portion of the round tower survives (H. c. 20m).” · SMR KD040-002002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kildare · “According to Bradley et al. (1986 Vol 3, 222), the base and lower courses of the tower are built of evenly coursed granite blocks, with roughly coursed limestone blocks above (H. 32.6m; diam. 5.3m).” · SMR KD022-029020- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oldkilcullen · “According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 393), this is a circular tower (diam. 4.5m; H. 10m), the upper portion of which is missing, built of roughly coursed limestone blocks.” · SMR KD028-049006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oughterard · “The remains consist of the lower portions (H 10m) of a round tower (ext. diam 4.8m; av. wall T 1.1m), built of coursed limestone masonry.” · SMR KD015-007003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Taghadoe · “A roofless but otherwise well-preserved, five storied, tower (ext. diam. 4.96m; int diam. 2.54m; H 19.8m) is built of roughly coursed, poor quality, slatey limestone (wall T 1.02m through doorway) on a slightly …” · SMR KD010-014002- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Round towers page →

High crosses · 15
  • Ballymore Eustace East (Ballymore Eustace Ed) · “The cross stands in a graveyard to the N of a 19th-century church.” · SMR KD029-011006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Ballymore Eustace East (Ballymore Eustace Ed) · “Bradley (et. al. 1986, vol. 1, 79) described the South Cross standing in Ballymore Eustace graveyard, to the SE of St. John's C. of I. church as consisting of an unpierced ringed cross carved from a single block of …” · SMR KD029-011007- ↗ · map ↗
  • Castledermot · “North Cross: A tenth century granite ringed cross with a damaged two-stepped pyramidal base.” · SMR KD040-002004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Castledermot · “South cross: A tenth century granite ringed cross with a pyramidal base.” · SMR KD040-002010- ↗ · map ↗
  • Castledermot · “West Cross: A two-tiered granite base with a mortice, set into a plinth near the Romanesque doorway (dims. H. 88cm; base 75cm x 53cm; top 37cm x 30cm; mortice 0.19m x 0.17m; D. 0.27m).” · SMR KD040-002011- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kildare · “According to Bradley et al. (1986 Vol 3, 224-5), a damaged undecorated, ringed, granite cross-head, the upper portion of which is missing, is carried on a tall, plain, gently tapering granite shaft (H 3m; Wth 0.56m; T …” · SMR KD022-029021- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilteel Upper · “Fragments of a 12th century sandstone cross consist of the head with only one arm surviving (dims. H 0.95m, est. original Wth of arms c. 1.28m; T 0.38m) and the base (dims. L 1.05m; Wth 0.74m; H 0.47m).” · SMR KD020-007005- ↗ · map ↗
  • Moone · “The South Cross is a slender granite ringed cross, with alternating panels of blank and figurative biblical scenes on the shaft and ring. It was situated to the S of the church but has been moved to a specially …” · SMR KD036-031002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Moone · “The West Cross lies to the south of the church.” · SMR KD036-031003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Moone · “The 'north' cross in the wooded field to the N of the church.” · SMR KD036-031004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Moone · “The 'East' cross in a graveyard, NE of the church.” · SMR KD036-031005- ↗ · map ↗
  • Moone · “Fragments of a large ringed cross with part of the shaft, decorated with panels of animal and figure sculpture. (Parts of a ringed cross have been built into the nave of the church; it has traces of figurative …” · SMR KD036-031006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oldkilcullen · “According to Bradley et al. 1986 vol. 4, 393-4), the North Cross, of granite, comprises a square shaft (H. 1.6m; L 0.4m; Wth 0.4m) set into an almost square base (H. 0.35m; L 0.9m; Wth 0.8m).” · SMR KD028-049002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oldkilcullen · “According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 394), the East Cross, of granite, comprises a tall rectangular shaft (H. 3m; L 0.5m; Wth 0.4m) with undecorated panels outlined by low rounded mouldings, set in a pyramidal base …” · SMR KD028-049003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oldkilcullen · “According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 394-5), the West Cross, of granite, comprises an almost square shaft (H. 0.5m; L 0.4m; Wth 0.35m) and rectangular base (H. 0.4m; L 0.5m; Wth 0.4m).” · SMR KD028-049004- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. High crosses page →

Ogham stones · 8
  • Colbinstown · “This is one of seven ogham stones found at 'Killeen Cormac' burial ground.” · SMR KD032-044001- ↗ · map ↗
  • Colbinstown · “One of seven ogham stones recorded by Macalister (1945, 24-5 (20 – No.” · SMR KD032-044002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Colbinstown · “One of seven ogham stones recorded by Macalister (1945, 25-6 (21 – No.” · SMR KD032-044003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Colbinstown · “One of seven ogham stones recorded by Macalister (1945, 26-7 (22 – No.” · SMR KD032-044004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Colbinstown · “One of seven ogham stones recorded by Macalister (1945, 28-9 (23 – No.” · SMR KD032-044005- ↗ · map ↗
  • Colbinstown · “One of seven ogham stones recorded by Macalister (1945, 29-30 (24 – No.” · SMR KD032-044006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Colbinstown · “One of seven ogham stones recorded by Macalister (1945, 30-31 (25 – No.” · SMR KD032-044007- ↗ · map ↗
  • Donaghmore · “Macalister (1945, 130-1, no. 26) recorded the stone's dimensions (0.76 x 0.36 x 0.23m, converted from Macalister) and read the inscription as: NETTAVRECC [KOI] MAQI MUCCOI TRENALUGGO.” · SMR KD006-005002- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Ogham stones page →

Mass rocks · 2
  • Clonsast · “According to Rochfort (1999, 70), ' … local tradition states that Mass was said at a bend on an old road at Clonsast in Penal Times.” · SMR KD005-031---- ↗
  • Mullacash South · Penal Mass station · “Mullacash mass-bush marks the site of a penal mass station which stands inside a natural hollow creating an amphitheatre like setting.” · SMR KD024-068---- ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Mass rocks page →

Sweathouses · none on our lists

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Sweathouses page →

Megalithic tombs · none on our lists

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Megalithic tombs page →

Crannógs · 3
  • Dysart,Knockanally · “In a partially wooded area in open, improved pasture, at the confluence of a small NE-flowing stream with the NW-flowing River Blackwater.” · SMR KD004-014---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Lackagh More · “In 1893, oak beams with mortices and other joinery features were discovered in a low, irregular mound on the edge of a bog.” · SMR KD022-038---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Sherlockstown Common · “Sherlock (1897-8, 157) mentions that a grant of land made by James I to Walter Dongan included an area in Sherlockstown which was known as 'Monecronock'- 'the bog of the crannog', and suggests that a crannog may have …” · SMR KD014-031---- ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Crannógs page →

Abbeys and friaries · 28
  • Abbeyland (Castledermot Ed) · “A Franciscan Friary probably built by Walter de Riddlesford before 1247.” · SMR KD040-002005- ↗ · map ↗
  • Abbeyland (Clane Ed) · “Founded in 1258, probably by Gerald Fitzmaurice, Lord of Offaly, who is traditionally associated with the effigial fragment in the chancel, although the foundation has also been attributed to the Sturton family, the …” · SMR KD014-026005- ↗ · map ↗
  • Athy · “A Dominican Priory founded either in 1253 or 1257 by the Boisles or Ouganos (Wogans), although a de St. Michael is also a suggested founder.” · SMR KD035-022004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Athy · “The Priory of St. Thomas and Hospital of St. John (Fratres Cruciferi) stood near the W bank of the River Barrow, possibly on, or just inside, the line of Athy’s town defences.” · SMR KD035-022006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Clonagh (Cadamstown Ed) · “He quotes from a 1608 Inquisition held at Naas that, '… John Lye of Rathbride, gent., being seized of divers lands in the said townland of Clonaugh, levelled the tenements, bounds, and limits of said religious house, …” · SMR KD003-020---- ↗
  • Cloncurry (Ikeathy & Oughterany By., Cloncurry Ed) · “According to Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 286, 288), a Carmelite Friary was founded here in 1347 by John Roche.” · SMR KD004-021006- ↗
  • Friarstown (Dunmurry Ed) · “According to local information, the friary of the Black Friars stood here formerly, and ploughing turned up large quantities of stone, some of which was cut.” · SMR KD022-054---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Graney East · “Walter de Riddlesford founded a nunnery here c. 1200, for either the Order of St Augustin or the Order of St Brigid.” · SMR KD040-015---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Greatconnell · “Augustinian Abbey/Priory founded in 1202 by Meyler Fitzhenry and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St David.” · SMR KD023-016---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilberry · “A church and graveyard lie c. 40m to the NE and a ruined gatehouse and possible bawn stand c. 50m to the ESE.” · SMR KD030-005---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kildare · “A Franciscan friary, the precise foundation date of which is uncertain: Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 252) quote sources suggesting a founding c. 1254 by the ancestors of the earls of Kildare, or a founding c.1260, either by …” · SMR KD022-029006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kildare · “The Carmelite Priory of St Mary, founded by William de Vesci in 1290.” · SMR KD022-029007- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kildare · “Rocque’s 1757 map of Kildare town shows a ‘Fire Castle’, which is no longer extant, to the W of the Cathedral graveyard, and the nunnery may have been located in its vicinity.” · SMR KD022-029068- ↗
  • Killybegs Demesne · “In 1333-4, William was chaplain 'of the house of Kilbeg' which was likely at this time to have been 'a limb' of Kilmainham (the priory and chief house of the Knights in Ireland).” · SMR KD013-019001- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilteel Upper · “A preceptory of Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem was founded sometime before 1212 by Maurice Fitzgerald on the site of 'Cell céli críst' an early monastery.” · SMR KD020-007003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Mooreabbey Demesne · “Regarding this monastery, the Countess of Drogheda records (1902-3, 235), '… the old Yew Tree Cemetery [was] where there was once a branch of St. Evin's Monastery, and here was kept for long afterwards St. Evin's bell …” · SMR KD026-001---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Naas West · “According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 367-8), the Augustinian Priory of St John the Baptist was founded in the late 12th-century, but there are few references to it prior to the 14th -century.” · SMR KD019-030010- ↗ · map ↗
  • Naas West · “Although marked 'Augustinian Abbey (Site of)' just NW of the motte on the latest ed. (1938-9) of the OS 6-inch map, according to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 366-7), this is incorrect and the monument near the motte, …” · SMR KD019-030011- ↗
  • Naas West · “Although marked 'Augustinian Abbey (Site of)' just NW of the motte on the latest ed. (1938-9) of the OS 6-inch map, according to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 366-70), this is incorrect and the monument near the motte, …” · SMR KD019-030012- ↗ · map ↗
  • Naas West · “In the 17th century, the Dominicans may have moved from their friary just NW of the motte to this location near the junction of Abbey St. and Canal/Basin St., c. 250m to the SSE.” · SMR KD019-030039- ↗ · map ↗
  • Nicholastown (Kilcullen Ed) · “According to Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 251-2), ‘New Abbey’ was founded in 1486 for the Observant Franciscans by Roland FitzEustace, who was burial here in 1496 [Effigial tomb: KD028-040002-].” · SMR KD028-040---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oldcarton · “A short length of ivy-clad wall (dims. L 2.5m N-S; H 4m; T 1m) built of mortared, irregularly coursed limestone blocks may be the remains of the E-gable of a church described as a 'chapel of ease' in the 1654 Civil …” · SMR KD006-007003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Skenagun · “The Priory and Hospital of St John the Baptist.” · SMR KD038-045001- ↗ · map ↗
  • St. Wolstans · “St Wolstan's, known as 'Scala Caeli' - 'Steps of Heaven', was founded by Richard, the first prior, and Adam de Hereford c. 1205 for the Augustinian canons of St Victor.” · SMR KD011-014---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Timolin · “According to an inquisition held at Naas (1541) monastery at time of suppression consisted of 'site and precincts of the abbey ... of the walls of a church, a belfry, a dormitory, a courtyard (aula), and three rooms …” · SMR KD036-025002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Tully East · “According to Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 338-9), the church 'de Tuly' was confirmed to the Knights Hospitallers by Pope Innocent III in 1212, probably on the site of Tulach-Fobhair, an early dependency of Fore.” · SMR KD022-034---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Unknown · “Fitzgerald (1896-99, 396) in his comment on the Church of St. Columb says that that church was to be 'annexed to the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin near Leixlip'” · SMR KD011-034---- ↗
  • Walterstown (Nurney Ed) · “In 1837, according to O’Conor’s Ordnance Survey Letter (Herity 2002, 146 (159)), ‘… in Nurney village is pointed out a spot, where, it is said, there was formerly a nunnery.” · SMR KD027-025---- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Abbeys and friaries page →

Castles · 13

From: Wikipedia's castle categories. Castles page →

Lighthouses · none on our lists

From: Wikipedia's list of lighthouses in Ireland. Lighthouses page →

Award beaches · none on our lists

From: Blue Flag and Green Coast awards. Award beaches page →

National parks · none on our lists

From: Wikipedia, National parks of Ireland. National parks page →

Before you go looking

Source: National Monuments Service, Archaeological Survey of Ireland, Sites and Monuments Record, open data via data.gov.ie ↗ (CC BY 4.0); every record links to the Historic Environment Viewer ↗. Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record (Department for Communities, Historic Environment Division), OpenDataNI ↗.

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