Where to Stay in County Kildare (Towns & Accommodation)

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I was hosted on both recent trips to County Kildare. As always, all opinions remain my own. Thank you to Into Kildare for the arrangements and to Chloe and Imelda for the wonderful company throughout the week!

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Which County Kildare Towns are Popular?

There are around 1,240 townlands in County Kildare, with a few more notable towns that pop into people’s minds when planning a trip to this part of Ireland. Below I go into more detail with the pros and cons for each place, as well as accommodation suggestions (that I’ve personally stayed at), and a couple of activity suggestions to get you started.

• Athy
• Clane
• Kildare Town
• Naas
• Sallins
• Straffan

Where to Stay in County Kildare

Kildare Town

Kildare Town may be the most recognizable town in County Kildare thanks to a certain colourful building at the entrance to the Kildare Shopping Village. While the shopping may attract people, Kildare has a lot more to explore and enjoy. It’s a great first stop in the county, especially if you’re arriving without a car because it’s easily accessible from Dublin via train. There’s plenty to see and do within walking distance from your accommodation. Head to the visitor centre in the town square for an interesting virtual reality tour back in time. You’ll learn about the patroness saint, Brigid, who hails from County Kildare over 1,500 years ago, as well as the secret spot nearby to make a wish!

Pros

• Accessible by train from Dublin and other parts of Ireland
• Great starting point for travellers to County Kildare, thanks to the Visitor Centre
• Walking distance to accommodation, transportation, food, street art, pubs, market, and historic sites

Cons

• I haven’t found any yet!

Book Accommodation in Kildare Town

• Tara’s Picks: Silken Thomas (hotel) or The Rooms at Firecastle (boutique stay)
• Mid-Range: The Stables Kildare (adult only) or The Rooms at Cunningham’s (adult only)
• Unique: The Veterinary
• see more Kildare Town accommodation

WHERE I STAYED: During my visit to Kildare Town, I stayed at Silken Thomas. It was fall time and the red-leafed exterior of the ivy-covered Georgian lodge was stunning. Named for an Anglo-Irish nobleman and the 10th Earl of Kildare, Thomas FitzGerald and several of his family members met a tragic death after renouncing his loyalty to King Henry the VIII and starting a rebellion.

Rest assured, your stay will be smooth and enjoyable! In fact, the hospitality at Silken Thomas makes you feel right at home, especially if Beata is the one greeting you. The 2-story building has large bedrooms with ensuites that relax and energize in one breath. Each room has its own name and a placard before you enter with information on who it was named after. Mine was Cecily for the Baroness Cecily of Sallyanne. I love details like this in repurposed historic buildings!

Tucked off to the right of reception is a pub, perfect for an evening tune and a pint. Upon entering Silken Thomas, you’ll find the generous multi-level dining area. The bustling ground floor is where breakfast is served and is a local favourite, evident by ever full tables of happy, hungry folks. Upstairs the ambiance is ideal for nightcaps and cozy dinners. I ordered the Silken Sour (delicious!), Goat’s Cheese and Beetroot Salad (yum!), and topped the meal off with the Malteser Cheesecake (absolute wow!).

Athy

Do not miss Athy. With a population of 12,000 residents, the list of impressive things to see and do here is ever growing. Each time I visit a new and interesting place reveals itself and I find myself wanting to spend more time here. From barge tours down the canal, to the fantastic Shackleton Experience, to art studios, golfing, and bike hires, there’s a little something for everyone. After all of that activity you’re going to work up an appetite, so may I suggest heading to the historic former Quaker house, Burtown House and Gardens, for the most wonderful lunch made with food grown on the estate.

Pros

• Underrated destination, so you won’t have to fight off hoards of other visitors
• Longstanding music traditions
• Excellent options for food, history, and street art

Cons

• You’ll want to spend more time here too

Book Accommodation in Athy

• Tara’s Picks: Clanard Court Hotel
• Mid-Range: Moate Lodge
• Family or Group: Willsgrove House
• Luxury: The Stable Yard House at Burtown House & Gardens
• see more Athy accommodation

WHERE I STAYED: I kid you not, the beds at Clanard Court Hotel are the most comfortable and wonderful beds I’ve ever slept in in my life. I had half a mind to ask them where they bought their pillows, mattresses, and duvets from so I could order them for home. Absolute heaven.

Besides having the most delicious sleep of my life, I was blown away by how everyone working there, from the bar staff to the front desk to the owners, genuinely enjoyed employment at the hotel. I’ve never heard so many people gush about how they enjoy their job – which was also evident by the number of years people stay and the different roles they’ve been able to grow in. The hotel is not just for foreigners coming from away like myself. Clanard Court Hotel is a local community gathering place. For generations, Christmases have been celebrated, with kids who once came to see Santa now working as elves or in management positions. Staying at Clanard Court Hotel is like getting a peek into the fun family gatherings you want to be a part of and then also being welcomed in.

Side Note: If you’re planning a wedding, they have the most beautiful little white chapel.

Clane

Clane, which means “the slanted ford”, is halfway between the towns of Maynooth and Naas on the River Liffey. It’s nearby to the Mondello Racing Circuit, which is the home of Irish Motor Racing. For history buffs, there’s plenty to dive into: ancient celts, former early Christian monasteries, Norman settlements, the Bullaun Stone, the Alexandra Bridge, and much more. There are also connections to St. Patrick and James Joyce. If you prefer nature, there are mazes, horses, and plenty of fresh air to inhale.

Pros

• Embrace the County Kildare spirit and ride a horse with Abbeyfield Farm
• Largest hedge maze in Leinster at the Kildare Maze! Make sure to book tickets online.
• Loads of interesting history
• Close to Dublin (only 32km)

Cons

• Horseback riding is addicting. Once you’ve tried it, you’re going to want to get better. Your legs and butt will tire but that won’t stop you. Wobbles will be embraced.

Book Accommodation in Clane

• Tara’s Pick: Westgrove Hotel

WHERE I STAYED: The Westgrove Hotel may be the only hotel in Clane, however it is a fabulous place to rest your head. I stayed in the beautiful and spacious Strawberry Lodge Suite, aka the honeymoon suite. With a huge tub, plenty of comfy seating options, a coffee station, and a large 4-poster bed, not to mention ample natural light and gorgeous design, it was perfection. Perhaps it should be renamed as the single’s suite because I thoroughly enjoyed my alone time.

The Westgrove Hotel has plenty to offer visitors. There’s the award-winning Westgrove Hotel Leisure Club, a deck pool, a kiddie pool, a steam room, and a private Roof Terrace Bar. Excellent for weddings and a great hotel for families, there are Family Apartments for groups of 5 and higher.

Show and Stay Packages include a 2-course pre-show dinner, 2 tickets to evening entertainment of some of Ireland’s biggest comedy and musical acts, and a night’s accommodation and breakfast.

Naas and Sallins

Naas and Sallins are technically 2 towns, however these neighbours are so close that you can walk between them, much like my own hometown! Naas is geographically bigger and known as the heart of horse country. Naas Racecourse, Punchestown Racecourse, and The Curragh are all close by to the Westgrove Hotel. In Sallins, the water beckons, so hop on a canal cruise with Barge Trip and then celebrate with a pint at Lock 13 Brewpub across the waterway.

Pros

• Great for those who love being on tame bodies of water, spending time around horses, and drinking craft beer
• Can easily walk between Naas and Sallins
• Enjoy the outdoors and rent a bike to explore the Grand Canal Greenway

Cons

• You’re going to want to live on a houseboat afterwards

Book Accommodation in Naas / Sallins

• Tara’s Pick: Roísín Dubh Houseboat and Killashee Hotel
• Family Accommodation: Osprey Hotel

WHERE I STAYED (1): My favourite accommodation of both trips to Kildare was the Roísín Dubh Houseboat. It’s a super unique sleeping spot that highlights one of the area’s identifying features: the canals. If you’ve been around Travel with TMc for the past decade, you know that I’ve always sought out unique places to stay, from historic buildings to a wide range of tiny homes to house sitting and more. In addition to being so darn cool, the houseboat was walking distance to a brewery, restaurants, cafes, a funky barrel-shaped Little Free Library, a grocery store, and more.

When I first visited County Kildare in 2025 and learned that people could stay on a houseboat, I immediately wanted to book a stay. Luckily, I met Ger, the owner of the houseboat and the canal tour company, Barge Trip. He’s a wealth of information and connections, having lived for years on the canals. My houseboat wish came true in 2026 and the experience lived up to the hype! As a 6-foot tall human, I comfortably maneuvered around the boat and slept like a babe. Prior to my stay, friends kept saying “good luck” with sleeping on water, but the boat barely budged. I loved watching the swans float by through the porthole windows and sipping my tea with the door open to the canal. Do yourself a favour and book a week on the water. Light a fire, put on the tay, and get cozy. It’s awesome.

WHERE I STAYED (2): My second favourite accommodation while in County Kildare was at the Killashee Hotel. I don’t know if I’ve ever stayed at a hotel like Killashee before. My colleague Chloe raved all week about how it was her favourite. This, as you can imagine, could go 1 of 2 ways: disappointing due to unmet high expectations or I’d love it too.

From the moment I met my contact, Orla, to the caring and patient Marie from Guidor, to the best server of the whole week, Oisín with the Canada connections, I felt so cared for and well looked after. Best of all, it felt genuine, coming from people and not just employees. Gorgeous historic setting, excellent gym and spa facilities, lovely outdoor grounds, and outstanding food and drink aside, Killashee Hotel captured my attention and my affection. I would return in a heartbeat and highly encourage it as a place to book for your vacation too.

Straffan

If Naas is where those who love horses and racing go for their County Kildare trip, Straffan is for the golfers and old-world luxury jet setters. Straffan itself is a tiny village only 25km from Dublin that rests along the River Liffey. The accommodation in this part of County Kildare are the attractions. Stay at The K Club, a 5-star hotel and a part of the Historic Hotels Worldwide Top 25 List, where you can enjoy golfing on not 1, but 2 Arnold Palmer-designed championship courses, watching feats of falconry, or get active with fishing and horseback riding. For a taste of luxury, rock and blues, and ancient history, head to Barberstown Castle. Built in 1288, it has had many owners, including musician Eric Clapton! For a fantastic mix of ancient and contemporary aesthetics, as well as a lovely lunch spot at The Garden Suite and Bar, not to mention a relaxing romantic setting, this is the place to book your next memorable vacation.

Pros

• Excellent wedding venue options
• Perfect for a memorable bucket list experience
• Ideal for golfers
• If you love machinery, trains, or history, head to The Steam Museum at the Lodge Park Walled Garden. It’s housed in what used to be a church and has a solid collection of working engines and other industrial machinery.

Cons

• You’ll want to wear gorgeous long gowns and smoke cigars on a terrace after your 5-star stay
• No budget or mid-range accommodation options
• Need a vehicle to get around

Book Accommodation in Straffan

• Unique: Barberstown Castle
• Luxury: The K Club

WHERE I STAYED: As a longtime patron and advocate of hostels for a variety of reasons, Iuxury accommodation doesn’t turn my head. But toss over 700 years of history and a multitude of stories to uncover and I’m hooked. This past summer when presented with the itinerary for my trip, a stay at Barberstown Castle was on the list. I was excited. How many people have the luck to stay in a nearly 800-year old property? My only regret was that I didn’t have someone to share such a unique place with, be they a friend, partner, or relative. I wanted to soak up as much of this experience as possible.

Barberstown Castle is stunning. A magnificent place to host a wedding. A memorable place to share with a loved one. An opulent accommodation to say where you’ve stayed overnight. It’s a 4-star historic 13th century castle keep that used to be owned by Eric Clapton. The stories that these walls could tell… While it is a pricier accommodation, its doors are open to the public for dining. With indoor and outdoor seating for food and drinks, it’s perfect for celebrating a special occasion or booking brunch in an epic location.

For a more in-depth look and hotel review, check out my blog post on if it’s worth it to stay at Barberstown Castle.