Ballitore is Ireland’s only planned and continuously inhabited Quaker settlement. Its origins date back to 1685, when the settlement began on the River Greese. In the late 17th century, John Bancroft and Abel Strettel established a farm there. The Quakers from Yorkshire who founded Ballitore transformed the valley into fertile farmland.
School and Quaker History
An important chapter in the town’s history is Ballitore School: it opened on 1 May 1726, with Abraham Shackleton as its first headmaster. The school attracted pupils from England, Scotland, Jamaica, Norway and France. They included James Napper Tandy, Paul Cullen, Henry Grattan and Edmund Burke. Together with the settlement’s history, these names give an impression of how far the school’s reach extended.
Tanyard, Cemetery and Meeting House
The Tanyard lies immediately east of Burrow Square, on the banks of the River Greese. The walled complex comprises a central courtyard, flanked to the north and south by two detached, single-storey former tannery buildings. The entrance is right beside Mary Leadbeater House. The house was restored in the 1990s and now serves as a public library.
The Quaker cemetery has carved stone gravestones dating from around 1745 to the present day. It is well maintained and remains in use. Check local access arrangements before visiting. This will help you plan your visit while bearing in mind that the cemetery continues to be used.
A Meeting for Worship is held at Ballitore Quaker Meeting House at 11 am on the first and third Sunday of each month. The regular time may change locally, so check before you travel. For directions: from Ballitore’s central square, turn left as you enter the town. The Meeting House is about 200 metres further on, on the right.
Practical Information
If you plan to visit Ballitore Library & Quaker Museum, check the opening hours in advance. The listed hours are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am–1 pm and 2–5 pm. On Thursdays, they are 12:30–4 pm and 4:45–8 pm. The Explorer’s Way – Shackleton Heritage Trail also passes through Ballitore; check the route if you plan to include it in your trip.
More destinations in County Kildare
County Kildare also offers distinctive destinations with different highlights. Castletown House is in Celbridge, County Kildare, in an 18th-century parkland setting on the banks of the Liffey. The house contains a significant collection of paintings, furnishings and art objects, and is easily reached by public transport. The parkland is open year-round from 07:00 to 22:00; check the conditions before travelling.
At the Irish National Stud, the Japanese Gardens were created between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese garden designer Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. St. Fiachra’s Garden includes woodland, wetlands, waterfalls, lakes and streams. The stud farm and garden are fully accessible. A free guided tour is included in the admission price and runs regularly during the day; check current tour times before your visit.
At Donadea Forest Park, history meets trails of varying lengths: the park includes Donadea Castle and the estate that was the former home of the Aylmer family until 1935. The Lake Walk is 0.8 kilometres long, takes about 30 minutes and is accessible to everyone. There are also three permanent orienteering courses: a short 1.8-kilometre course, a medium 3.4-kilometre course and a long 4.6-kilometre course.
Discover more destinations: Clane, Kilcullen, Narraghmore, Maynooth, Athy, Kilmartin, Moyvally, Straffan.
For the main travel overview: County Kildare.
