What to do on visits

Walk the grounds
The Pleasure Gardens, the walks behind the Cricket Pavilion, visit Fr. John Sullivan’s  grave.

Play a round of golf
Nine holes, entrance and parking via the side avenue.

Guided tours
The Castle, the school facilities, by request.

Local places to eat
In compiling this list, keeping within a 30 minute driving distance was the principle factor for inclusion. Another was that they had been in business for a period of time.  No attempt has been made to ‘grade’ the premises, either for quality or price. Please feel free to provide feedback or other suggestions for the next issue. In most cases it is prudent to call in advance, to check opening hours and (of course) if they have a table.

Hotels

• Barberstown Castle, Straffan, 01 6288157
• K Club, Straffan 01 6017 300
• Keadeen, Newbridge 045 431 666
• Kilashee House, Naas 045 879 277
• Moyglare Manor, Maynooth 01 6286 351
• Osprey Naas. 045 881111
• Stand House, Curragh 045 436 177
• The Westgrove  new hotel in Clane (open April ’06) 045 902390

Restaurants

• Butt Mullins, Naas 045 874 252
• Flaming Wok, Clane 045 861 741
• Lemongrass, Naas 045 871 544
• Pasta Fresca, Naas 045 901 542
• Peony Palace, Clane 045 861188
• Ross Morgans at Newbridge Silverware 045 488 439/438
• Stone Haven Restaurant, Maynooth 01 6291229
• Zest Cafe, Clane 045 893 222

Pubs that serve food

• Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace 045 864 585
• Bridgewater Inn, Sallins 045 880681
• Johnstown Inn, Johnstown 045 897 547

Fast food

• McDonald's in Naas.

Places that serve breakfast

• O'Briens Sandwich bar and Zest Café in Clane.
• Yum Yum’s, Ryan’s and O’Brien’s sandwich bar Naas.

Local attractions

• Race Meetings
• Naas, Punchestown, and the Curragh.
• Naas, Newbridge.
• Golf courses
• Kileen, Bodenstown, K Club, Craddockstown, Naas, Newton, Curragh, Castlewarden and Newbridge.
• Fishing on the Canals and the Liffey
• Liffey Viaduct between Clane and Naas

Other activities

• Mondello for car, bike and truck racing.
• Steam Museum, Straffan.
• Japanese Gardens, Kildare.
• National Stud Farm,Kildare.
• Bodenstown Churchyard (between Clane and Sallins) – Wolfe Tone’s Grave.
• The National Stud, Kildare – Guided tours.
• Castletown House, Celbridge,   Maynooth College
• Leinster Viaduct (Sallins) - Grand Canal crosses over River Liffey.
• Dublin Zoo.
• Shopping in Naas,  the Square in Tallaght and Liffey Valley.
• Johnstown Garden Centre just off the Naas road.
• Park at Red Cow Moran’s Hotel, ride Luas to city.

Almost all of the above can be reached within 30 minutes of the school by car. Most will provide amusement over several visits and are suitable for younger siblings as well.

Information on current events

• www.visitkildare.ie
• www.irfu.ie
• www.ireland.ie
• Irish Times What’s on Today