Begin your Maynooth walking tour at Main Street, the vibrant heart of this historic Kildare town, where you can enjoy a hearty lunch at Bistro 53 on Main Street. This cosy spot serves up modern Irish dishes like smoked salmon or gourmet burgers, affordable, no bookings needed for small groups, but arrive early to beat the Saturday lunch crowd.
Stroll along Main Street to Maynooth Castle, a 12th-century Norman fortress with rugged stone ruins, evoking the timeless grandeur of a historical painting, much like a scene from Manet or Renoir. Its tales of the Fitzgerald family add a touch of medieval intrigue. From there, wander up Parson Street to St Patrick’s College, a striking 18th-century campus with elegant architecture and serene gardens, perfect for a quick cultural pause.
Next, head towards Leinster Street and pop into Shoda Market Café at the Glenroyal Hotel for a rich hot chocolate or artisan coffee. If you’re after something more upscale, Avenue Café and Restaurant on Main Street offers refined dining with local ingredients in a stylish setting.
Finish your walk by looping to Pugin Hall within St Patrick’s College, where occasional exhibitions showcase local history and art. Take a moment by the Royal Canal, where a tranquil towpath offers a scenic end to your tour. This 1-2 mile route captures Maynooth’s historic charm, local eats, and serene beauty.
Ireland county by county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Largest town walking tour
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Villages
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Ireland’s County Kildare:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles– Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
