Maynooth Castle

13th Century Castle with exhibition on the history of the castle and the FitzGerald family

Maynooth Castle was founded in the early 13th century and became the principal residence of the Kildare branch of the Geraldines. The Kildare FitzGeralds extended their land holdings and influence, emerging as one of the most powerful families in Ireland with Maynooth Castle becoming a centre of political power and culture.

The original Keep, constructed c. 1203, was one of the largest of its kind in Ireland. The castle was a stronghold of the 16th century historical figure Thomas FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Kildare better known as Silken Thomas.

A restoration programme commenced in 2000 and there is an exhibition on the history of the castle and the family.

Open Daily, 24th May - 26th September, 10am-6pm.

Free

View Similar Tourist Attractions

• Castle Ward House & Demesne
• Avondale House & Forest Park
• Dwyer McAllister Cottage
• Giants Causeway
• Barryscourt Castle
• Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
• Portumna Castle & Gardens
• Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
• The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
• Government Buildings
• Athenry Castle
• Kilkenny Castle
• Aras an Uachtarain
• Skellig Michael
• Castletown House
• Funtasia Bettystown
• Ulster American Folk Park
• Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
• Arigna Mining Experience
• Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
• The Ark
• Adare Heritage Centre
• National Concert Hall
• Glendalough
• Adare Castle
• Jerpoint Abbey
• Phoenix Park
• Old Mellifont Abbey
• St Stephens Green
• Patrick Pearses Cottage
• Guinness Storehouse
• Ferns Castle
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
• Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
• Sligo Abbey
• Carrickfergus Museum
• Ross Castle
• Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
• National Leprechaun Museum
• Casino Marino
• Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
• Desmond Hall
• Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
• Tower Museum
• Famine Warhouse
• Ceide Fields
• Museum at the Mill
• Coole Park
• Viking Splash Tours
• Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
• Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
• Navan Centre & Fort
• Dungarvan Castle
• Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
• Armagh County Museum
• Scattery Island Centre
• Russborough House
• Belfast Zoo
• Aillwee Cave
• National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
• Ballyhack Castle
• Burren National Park
• Reginalds Tower
• Ormond Castle
• Florence Court
• Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
• Blarney Castle
• Tintern Abbey
• National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
• Glasnevin Museum
• King Johns Castle
• St Marys Church
• Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
• Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
• Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Parkes Castle
• Dublinia
• Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
• Boyle Abbey
• National Wax Museum Plus
• Armagh Planetarium
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
• Ballycroy National Park
• Little Museum of Dublin
• National Transport Museum
• National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
• Crag Cave
• Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
• Killarney National Park
• Emo Court
• Lusk Heritage Centre
• Tayto Park
• Trim Castle
• Skerries Mills
• Dunbrody Famine Ship
• Galway Atlantaquaria
• Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Dublin Castle
• Doneraile Wildlife Park
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• Chester Beatty Library
• The Butlers Chocolate Experience
• Somme Heritage Centre
• Desmond Castle
• Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
• John F Kennedy Arboretum
• Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
• Farmleigh House & Estate
• Leopardstown Racecourse
• Skibbereen Heritage Centre
• Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
• Battle of the Boyne
• Aughnanure Castle
• Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
• Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
• Larne Museum & Arts Centre
• Natural History Museum
• Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
• Glenveagh National Park
• Cobh Heritage Centre
• Castlecomer Discovery Park
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Clonmacnoise
• Funtasia Waterpark
• Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
• Kerry County Museum
• Caherconnell Fort
• Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
• Garylough Mill
• Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
• Hill of Tara
• Ennis Friary
• Mizen Head Signal Station
• Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
• Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
• Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
• Dromore Wood
• VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
• The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
• King House
• Rock of Cashel
• Charles Fort
• Ardfert Cathedral
• Croke Park & GAA Museum
• Derrynane House
• The Old Jameson Distillery
• Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
• Bushmills Distillery
• Dublin Zoo
• National Library of Ireland
• Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
• Enniskillen Castle Museum
• Queens University
• Eagles Flying
• Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
• Dun Aonghasa
• Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
• Donegal Castle
• Cahir Castle
• The Hunt Museum
• St Marys Abbey
• National Photographic Archive
• Listowel Castle
• Dingle Oceanworld
• Thomond Park Stadium
• Maynooth Castle
• Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
• Ulster Museum
• Titanic Belfast
• Clare Museum
• Connemara National Park
• Aviva Stadium
• Saint Patricks Cathedral
• Dunmore Cave
• National Gallery of Ireland
• Rothe House & Garden
• The Science Gallery
• Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
• Donegal County Museum
• Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
• Swiss Cottage
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
• Hugh Lane Gallery
• Rathfarnham Castle
• Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
• Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
• Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
• The Main Guard
• Craggaunowen - The Living Past
• Iveagh Gardens
• Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
• Galway City Museum
• House of Waterford Crystal
• Jameson Experience Midleton
• National Sea Life Centre
• Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
• Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
• Fort Lucan
• Malahide Castle

Local Recommendations

Hospitality

• Avenue Cafe
  (0.4km)NE
• Ely Maynooth
  (0.4km)NE
• Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Club
  (0.4km)SE
• Shoda Market Café
  (0.5km)SW
• Carton House
  (2.2km)NE
• O'Keeffe's Bar & Restaurant
  (5.3km)NW
• Barberstown Castle
  (6.6km)SW
• Court Yard Hotel, The
  (7.2km)SE
• Becketts Hotel
  (7.8km)SE
• The K Club
  (8.4km)SW
• Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa
  (8.7km)NE
• Aimsir
  (9.4km)SE
• McAllister's Quality Fishmonger
  (10.0km)SE
• Cliff at Lyons and The Mill Restaurant
  (10.5km)SE
• Avoca Dunboyne
  (10.8km)NE
• Westgrove Hotel & Conference Centre
  (11.6km)SW
• AnTea-que Cafe
  (11.7km)SW
• Cake Stand, The
  (11.7km)SE
• Forchetta
  (13.6km)NE
• Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown
  (13.6km)NE

Self Catering

• Castletown Gatelodges
  (5.8km)SE
• No. 25 Eustace Street
  (22.2km)SE
• The Merrion Mews & Stables
  (23.3km)SE
• Avon Ri Blessington Resort
  (25.1km)SE
• The Cottage
  (31.0km)SE
• Tankardstown House & Cottages
  (39.5km)NW
• The Cottages
  (41.7km)NE
• Clonabreany House
  (48.2km)NW
• Wicklow Lighthouse
  (60.5km)SE

Farmers Markets

• Celbridge - Village at Lyons - Co Kildare - Fridays
  (10.5km)SE
• Liffey Valley Shopping Centre - Dublin 22 - Fridays
  (13.8km)SE
• Citywest Shopping Centre - Dublin
  (15.0km)SE
• Castleknock Village Food
  (15.3km)SE
• South Dublin Co Co Tallaght - Dublin 24 - Friday
  (18.0km)SE
• Naas - County Kildare
  (18.5km)SW
• Honest2Goodness - Glasnevin Dublin 11 - Saturdays
  (20.3km)SE
• Smithfield Outdoor Food - Dublin 1 - Fridays
  (21.3km)SE
• Dublin Food Co-op - Dublin 8 - Thursdays & Saturdays
  (21.6km)SE
• Ballymun - Dublin - Every Thursday
  (22.0km)NE
• Temple Bar Food - Dublin City - Saturdays
  (22.2km)SE
• Coppinger Row Outdoor Food - Thursdays
  (22.5km)SE
• Harcourt Street - Dublin 2 - Thursdays
  (22.7km)SE
• Ranelagh - Dublin - Sundays
  (23.1km)SE
• Mespil Road Gourmet Food - Dublin 4 - Thursdays
  (23.6km)SE
• Pearse Street - Saturdays
  (23.7km)SE
• Grand Canal Village - Dublin -
  (24.0km)SE
• Marlay Park Food - Co Dublin - Saturday & Sunday
  (24.5km)SE
• Point Village - Dublin - Saturdays & Sundays
  (24.6km)SE
• Fingal - Swords Co Dublin - Saturdays
  (26.4km)NE
• Red Stables Food - Clontarf Dublin - Saturdays
  (28.1km)SE
• Leopardstown - County Dublin - Fridays
  (29.8km)SE
• Malahide - County Dublin - Saturdays
  (30.3km)NE
• Portmarnock - Co Dublin - Sundays
  (31.5km)NE
• Cabinteely Park - Co Dublin - Sundays
  (31.9km)SE
• Dun Laoghaire - Peoples Park - County Dublin - Sundays
  (32.6km)SE
• Howth - County Dublin - Sundays
  (34.5km)NE
• Fingal Food Fayre - Rush - County Dublin
  (36.3km)NE
• Balbriggan Fish & - Co Dublin
  (37.2km)NE
• Bray - County Wicklow - Saturdays
  (37.8km)SE
• Skerries - Skerries Mills - County Dublin
  (38.2km)NE
• Laytown - Sonairte Co Meath - 1st & 3rd Sunday each Month
  (39.9km)NE
• Drogheda - Co Louth - Thursdays
  (40.4km)NE
• Kells - Co Meath - Saturdays
  (42.7km)NW
• Kells - County Meath - Saturdays
  (43.0km)NW
• Athy - County Kildare - Sundays
  (50.5km)SW
• Carnaross Local Food - Co Meath - Saturdays
  (51.1km)NW

Tourist Attractions

• Maynooth Castle
  (0.0km)SE
• Castletown House
  (5.1km)SE
• Fort Lucan
  (10.4km)SE
• National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
  (14.8km)SE
• Farmleigh House & Estate
  (15.6km)SE
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
  (17.6km)SE
• Phoenix Park
  (17.9km)SE
• Aras an Uachtarain
  (18.5km)SE
• Kilmainham Gaol
  (19.4km)SE
• Dublin Zoo
  (19.5km)SE
• Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
  (20.0km)SE
• Tayto Park
  (20.1km)SE
• Glasnevin Museum
  (20.8km)SE
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
  (20.8km)SE
• Guinness Storehouse
  (20.9km)SE
• The Old Jameson Distillery
  (21.4km)SE
• Christ Church Cathedral
  (21.8km)SE
• Clare Museum
  (21.8km)SE
• Dublinia
  (21.8km)SE
• Hill of Tara
  (21.9km)SE
• Saint Patricks Cathedral
  (21.9km)SE
• St Marys Abbey
  (21.9km)SE
• Chester Beatty Library
  (22.1km)SE
• Hugh Lane Gallery
  (22.1km)SE
• National Leprechaun Museum
  (22.1km)SE
• Dublin Castle
  (22.2km)SE
• Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
  (22.2km)SE
• National Photographic Archive
  (22.2km)SE
• The Ark
  (22.2km)SE
• National Wax Museum Plus
  (22.5km)SE
• Rathfarnham Castle
  (22.6km)SE
• St Stephens Green
  (22.7km)SE
• Viking Splash Tours
  (22.7km)SE
• Iveagh Gardens
  (22.8km)SE
• Little Museum of Dublin
  (22.8km)SE
• National Concert Hall
  (22.9km)SE
• Croke Park & GAA Museum
  (23.0km)SE
• Government Buildings
  (23.0km)SE
• National Library of Ireland
  (23.0km)SE
• National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
  (23.0km)SE
• Trim Castle
  (23.0km)SE
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
  (23.1km)SE
• Natural History Museum
  (23.1km)SE
• Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
  (23.1km)SE
• National Gallery of Ireland
  (23.2km)SE
• The Science Gallery
  (23.2km)SE
• Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
  (23.4km)SE
• Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
  (23.5km)SE
• Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
  (24.0km)SE
• Casino Marino
  (24.4km)SE
• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
  (24.5km)SE
• Aviva Stadium
  (24.8km)SE
• The Butlers Chocolate Experience
  (25.0km)SE
• Russborough House
  (26.5km)SE
• Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
  (26.7km)SE
• Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
  (27.6km)SE
• Malahide Castle
  (29.4km)SE
• Leopardstown Racecourse
  (29.7km)SE
• Lusk Heritage Centre
  (32.6km)SE
• Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
  (32.8km)SE
• Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
  (33.9km)SE
• National Transport Museum
  (34.1km)SE
• Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
  (34.4km)SE
• Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
  (36.2km)SE
• National Sea Life Centre
  (38.4km)SE
• Skerries Mills
  (38.6km)SE
• Funtasia Waterpark
  (38.7km)SE
• Battle of the Boyne
  (39.5km)SE
• Old Mellifont Abbey
  (41.1km)SE
• Funtasia Bettystown
  (42.2km)SE
• Wicklow Mountains National Park
  (42.4km)SE
• Glendalough
  (44.9km)SE
• Dwyer McAllister Cottage
  (46.4km)SE
• Emo Court
  (50.3km)SE

Golf Courses

• Carton House Golf Club
  (2.2km) NE
• K Club, The - Ryder Cup 2006
  (8.4km) SW
• Millicent Golf & Country Club
  (12.7km) SW
• Killeen Golf Club
  (13.0km) SW
• Castleknock Golf Club
  (13.9km) SE
• Palmerstown House Golf Club
  (14.1km) SW
• CityWest Golf Club
  (14.5km) SE
• Naas Golf Club
  (15.3km) SW
• Rathcore Golf and Country Club
  (17.9km) NW
• South County Golf Club
  (19.4km) SE
• Saint Margarets Golf Club
  (20.8km) NE
• Knightsbrook Golf Club
  (21.8km) NW
• County Meath Golf Club
  (22.0km) NW
• MoyValley Golf Club
  (22.3km) NW
• Castle Golf Club
  (23.1km) SE
• Grange Golf Club
  (23.4km) SE
• Forest Little Golf Club
  (23.7km) NE
• Royal Tara Golf Club
  (23.7km) NW
• Roganstown Golf & Country Club
  (24.3km) NE
• Royal Dublin Golf Club, The
  (28.2km) SE
• Tulfarris Golf Resort
  (28.5km) SE
• Hollywood Lakes Golf Club
  (28.8km) NE
• Curragh Golf Club
  (29.9km) SW
• Saint Annes Golf Club
  (30.3km) SE
• Malahide Golf Club
  (30.4km) NE
• Island Golf Club, The
  (30.8km) NE
• Portmarnock Golf Club
  (31.2km) NE
• Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
  (31.5km) NE
• Beaverstown Golf Club
  (32.1km) NE
• Balcarrick Golf Club
  (32.5km) NE
• Powerscourt Golf Club
  (34.9km) SE
• Dun Laoghaire Golf Club
  (35.0km) SE
• Woodbrook Golf Club
  (36.9km) SE
• Rathsallagh Golf Club
  (40.2km) SW
• Headfort Golf Club
  (41.2km) NW
• Laytown and Bettystown Golf Club
  (42.8km) NE
• County Louth Golf Club (Baltray)
  (45.3km) NE
• Heritage Golf Club, The
  (45.8km) SW
• Druids Glen Golf Club
  (46.9km) SE
• Seapoint Golf Club
  (47.6km) NE
• Kilkea Castle Golf Resort
  (52.4km) SW
• Wicklow Golf Club
  (58.9km) SE
• Blainroe Golf Club
  (61.9km) SE

Gardens

• Lodge Park Walled Gardens
  (7.8km)SW
• Primrose Hill
  (10.0km)SE
• Hunting Brook Gardens
  (19.3km)SE
• June Blakes Garden & Nursery
  (20.7km)SE
• National Botanic Gardens
  (21.6km)SE
• Glendale Gardens
  (23.1km)SE
• Dillon Garden, The
  (24.0km)SE
• Airfield Gardens
  (26.1km)SE
• Burton Hall
  (28.3km)SE
• Carysfort Lodge
  (29.0km)SE
• Ballindoolin House & Garden
  (29.3km)SW
• The Talbot Botanic Gardens
  (29.5km)NE
• Williamstown Garden
  (29.6km)SW
• Grasse Cottage
  (31.7km)SE
• Knockrose Garden
  (32.5km)SE
• Rathmichael Lodge
  (34.6km)SE
• Powerscourt Gardens
  (34.7km)SE
• 21 Library Road
  (35.1km)SE
• Knockmore
  (35.6km)SE
• Corke Lodge
  (36.1km)SE
• Ardgillan Castle & Demesne
  (36.8km)NE
• Grove Gardens
  (38.2km)NW
• Killruddery House & Gardens
  (38.9km)SE
• Rockfield House
  (40.6km)NW
• Beaulieu House, Gardens and Car Museum
  (43.2km)NE
• Listoke Gardens
  (43.5km)NE
• National Garden Exhibition Centre
  (44.9km)SE
• Warble Bank
  (45.3km)SE
• Burtown House Gardens
  (47.3km)SW
• Mount Usher Gardens
  (52.4km)SE
• Loughcrew Historic Gardens
  (54.2km)NW
• Kilmacurragh Arboretum - National Botanic Garden
  (57.9km)SE

Nearby Towns/Areas

• Maynooth
  (0.4km) SE
• Kilcock
  (5.4km) NW
• Leixlip
  (7.8km) SE
• Leixlip
  (7.8km) SE
• Straffan
  (8.4km) SW
• Dunboyne
  (8.9km) NE
• Lucan
  (10.0km) SE
• Celbridge
  (10.5km) SE
• Newcastle
  (11.0km) SE
• Clane
  (11.7km) SW