The recently refurbished and expanded Lawlor's Hotel in Naas is a great base for Kildare's many attractions

The recently refurbished and expanded Lawlor's Hotel in Naas is a great base for Kildare's many attractions.

By the banks of the Grand Canal

Didn’t realise until a recent stay in the town’s Lawlor’s Hotel that Naas is so central to many attractions and destinations. Racegoers knew this all along as you have courses nearby in Punchestown and the Curragh as well as one in Naas itself.

Speaking of horses, the Irish National Stud is just over 20 minutes away in Tully, Sallins (with its Kildare Brewery and barge trips) even closer, Newbridge Silverware and its Museum of Icons are close enough also as is Kildare Village. Fancy going underground? Then Newgrange is about 65 minutes by road.

Walking home by the canal from the Friday Country Market

Much of Wicklow and Dublin is under 50 kilometres from Naas. Like to check out a distillery or two? Then take the train from Sallins/Naas and you’ll be sampling in one of the distilleries in Dublin's Liberties in under an hour.

Lawlors themselves have quite a few tips on their website about what to do in the locality. Naas is located in the heart of Irelands Ancient East where Kildare and Wicklow also have so much for you to see. 

This modest cottage in the Irish National Stud is where big money deals are finalised.

“Naas recently won the Purple Flag award which means our town is accredited as a safe place to go out, with a diverse and high-quality range of venues and entertainment types for your visit. Click on this link to learn more about Kildare’s history around The Sport of Kings. 

Kildare offers a range of special interests in addition to horse racing and horse riding, such as golf, motor racing (Mondello Park), fishing, ecology, cruising and walking. In September 2006, The K Club hosted the most prestigious international golf event "The Ryder Cup" which is only a short drive from Lawlor's. The county’s many heritage attractions are of great importance and provide much interest to the visitor. 

One of the famous old doors at Lawlor's.
They have been sourced from around the world
and often feature in wedding photos.

Note the heritage towns of Athy and Kildare, Leixlip where ‘Guinness’ was first brewed, walk along Arthurs Way and the University town of Maynooth. Visit the many houses and gardens such as the magnificent Castletown House or experience Peatland World Visitor Centre that interprets the wilderness of the Bog of Allen.” 

More from Lawlor’s here. 

Our main purpose in travelling up from Cork was to visit the Irish National Stud in Tully, a terrific visit. Not only does it include the beautiful grounds of the stud itself and the legendary horses, and foals about to become legends, but your ticket also covers your visit to the superb Japanese Gardens and an excellent guided tour of the stud. 

Path of Life in the Japanese Gardens

And if you need a break and refreshment, you may enjoy a snack or a full lunch in the recommended on-site restaurant Gourmet Goodies. 

After our final breakfast in Lawlor’s, we headed up the sunny streets, busy too but not too busy, nothing close to a traffic jam. Soon we were down by the Grand Canal which has excellent walkways so close to the town. Like the town, the canal is well maintained and quite an asset to the citizens and visitors. We saw a couple of locks but no action on the waters. 

Teahouse in Japanese Gardens

Mentioned that at check-out and the hotel staff told us that you can experience the historic canal (at least a stretch of it) on a restored traditional canal barge from Sallins, and learn about the life of Ireland’s first man-made waterway (built in the 18th Century). They are great for Family Days Out, Birthday Parties, Office Parties or any occasion! Bar service onboard, with meal options for after your cruise at Lock 13 Gastro Brew-pub. Not alone can you do the canal trip but you can also book a brewery tour. I'm putting that on my list!

At The Stud, a young foal comes towards the camera while his surrogate mother keeps an eye on things.

Not the only reason. Just like to mention again the friendliness that was evident right from the reception desk in the Stud and everywhere we went after that, including Lawlor’s Hotel, the Country Market and during our stroll along the banks of the canal where everyone smiled and said hello. Another lovely reason to return to Kildare and check out more of its attractions.

More on the Irish Stud visit here.

More on Lawlor’s, especially the food options, here.