Kildare Monastic Trail
Kildare Monastic Trail: County Kildare Heritage Route
HikeList Score
Kildare Monastic Trail scored 71/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 59
- Balanced challenge 60
- Scenery & wildness 58
- Varied terrain 100
- Accommodation 91
- Food & support 68
- Path quality 76
- Season flexibility 100
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
The Kildare Monastic Trail is a 92km self-guided heritage route across County Kildare in Ireland, linking early-Christian and medieval monastic sites. It is an easy 1–2 day touring trail, not a continuous waymarked long-distance footpath: most people travel between stops by car, then walk short, mostly level paths at each site. It suits hikers and history-focused travellers who want round towers, high crosses, ruined churches and town-based logistics rather than a backpacking route.
Route Overview
The trail runs broadly south to north from Castledermot in south Kildare to Oughterard near Straffan. In order, the key stops are Castledermot, Moone, Old Kilcullen, Kildare Town, Clane, Taghadoe and Oughterard. The 92km figure is the cumulative touring distance between sites, mainly on roads and lanes, with short walks through churchyards, fields and small towns. Use the free Abarta Heritage audio guide/app for navigation and interpretation; it maps the sites and explains the carvings and monuments. For continuous Irish walking routes, compare the Dingle Way, Beara Way or Great Western Greenway.
Early-Christian Kildare and the Monastic Sites
County Kildare was important in the spread of Christianity in Ireland and is associated with Saints Brigid, Colmcille and Patrick. St Brigid is said to have founded a monastery at Kildare in the 5th century; the present St Brigid’s Cathedral was built by the Norman bishop Ralph of Bristol around 1223 on that site. The trail’s round towers and high crosses, dating broadly from the 10th–12th centuries, survived Viking raids and the Norman conquest. The free audio guide was produced by Abarta Heritage for Kildare County Council in 2014.
Notable highlights
- St Brigid’s Cathedral and Round Tower, Kildare Town: The 13th-century cathedral stands on the site of St Brigid’s 5th-century monastery. The adjoining 33m round tower is open May–September and can be climbed by internal ladders.
- Moone High Cross: A near-complete granite high cross over 5m tall, carved with biblical scenes and sheltered inside the ruined church at Moone.
- Castledermot: One of the richest stops on the route, with a round tower, two carved granite high crosses and the ruins of a Franciscan friary.
- Taghadoe Round Tower: A well-preserved round tower beside a former Church of Ireland building, marking a monastery associated with St Tua, also known as Ultan the Silent.
- Oughterard: A quiet hilltop monastic site near Straffan with a round tower and ruined church. It is also the burial place of Arthur Guinness, founder of the Guinness brewery, and marks the northern end of the trail.
Challenges to expect
This is easy walking, but it is not a single signed hiking trail. The main challenge is logistics: the sites are spread across County Kildare, so you will usually need a car or planned transfers between stops. Ground is mostly level, with paved streets, grass and dirt paths. The Kildare round tower climb is optional and uses internal ladders, so it will not suit everyone.
HikeList Score
Kildare Monastic Trail scored 71/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 59
- Balanced challenge 60
- Scenery & wildness 58
- Varied terrain 100
- Accommodation 91
- Food & support 68
- Path quality 76
- Season flexibility 100
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
Ireland Show more data Show less
- Lowland
- Plains
- River Valleys
- Towns
- Roads
- Lanes
- Paved
- Grass
- Dirt
- Hotels
- Guesthouses
- B&Bs
- Family Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Restrooms
- Picnic Areas
