Maynooth brings together two distinctive themes: the history surrounding Maynooth Castle and St Patrick’s College, and the Royal Canal Greenway, which starts at Maynooth railway station. Historic places and a long route for walkers, runners and cyclists are therefore at the heart of a visit. When planning your stay, it is also worth considering the connections to Dublin and the different visitor arrangements at the Russell Library.
Castle and Town History
Maynooth Castle is set in a secluded location in the centre of Maynooth. Its well-kept grounds offer plenty of greenery. The castle was founded in the early 13th century; its keep houses an exhibition on the history of the building and the FitzGerald family. The Maynooth Heritage Trail traces the town’s history from the Middle Ages through 1916 and the Irish struggle for independence, and beyond. The castle’s early foundation and the trail’s broader historical scope can therefore be viewed as two distinct historical highlights.
College Chapel and the Russell Library
The College Chapel at St Patrick’s College combines Gothic Revival architecture with devotional styles common in Irish church decoration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Russell Library preserves the College’s historical collections. The College was founded in 1795 as a seminary to train Irish priests. Its holdings include around 34,000 printed works dating from the 16th to the mid-19th century. The chapel and library thus show different aspects of the College: religious design and historical collections.
External readers can also use the Russell Library; visitors are asked to arrange an appointment in advance. Exhibitions in the library can be viewed during opening hours without booking in advance. Check the latest opening hours and visitor arrangements before your visit.
Royal Canal Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway runs for over 130 kilometres from Maynooth towards Cloondara; the route starts at Maynooth railway station. The station marks the starting point in Maynooth, while Cloondara indicates the direction of the long route. The Greenway is relatively flat; its towpath is generally surfaced and level, making it suitable for people of all ages and with varying abilities. The Greenway is also a habitat for native wildlife. Check the latest information on access and route conditions before setting out.
County Kildare in a wider context
The wider destination of County Kildare offers other places to visit, each with its own distinctive themes. Castletown House in Celbridge is set in 18th-century parkland on the banks of the River Liffey and now houses an important collection of paintings, furnishings and art objects. In Donadea Forest Park, the Lake Walk is a 0.8 km loop that takes about 30 minutes and is accessible to everyone. Three permanent orienteering courses offer distances of 1.8, 3.4 and 4.6 km. The Lake Walk is a short route with an approximate duration; the orienteering courses let you choose from three different distances.
Connections to Dublin
Maynooth has good rail, bus and motorway connections to Dublin city centre. If Dublin is part of your trip, check the latest services and timetables in advance, as services and times may change. This allows you to take the connections into account when planning your stay, alongside the historic attractions and the Greenway.
Discover more destinations: Narraghmore, Prosperous, Ballitore, Kilmartin, Athy, Castledermot, Clane, Monasterevin
For the wider travel guide: County Kildare.
