Natural attractions in County Kildare

Ireland's Natural & Recreational Gems

Leinster's landscape encompasses the glacial valleys of the Wicklow Mountains, the ancient ceremonial sites of the Boyne Valley, and the expansive lakes of the Irish midlands. This collection features prominent natural landmarks like the 80-meter Glenmacnass Waterfall and the prehistoric monuments of Knowth and the Hill of Tara. It also includes reclaimed industrial sites like Lough Boora Discovery Park and historic urban green spaces such as Kilkenny Castle Park and St Patrick’s Park in Dublin.

Ireland's Natural & Recreational Gems — Map

A

Trout Sanctuary

Nature reserve located near Trim, providing a protected habitat for local flora and fauna.

Joe King / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Upper Lake

Glendalough is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland, renowned for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century…

C

Poulanass Waterfall

Cascading waterfall located in the Glendalough Valley, surrounded by sessile oak woodlands and accessible via the Woodland Road trail.

Joe King / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Dublin Mountains

The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland.

William Murphy / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

St Patrick's Park

Urban park adjacent to St Patrick's Cathedral featuring manicured flowerbeds, a fountain, and a literary parade honoring famous Irish writers.

Rob Hurson / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Knowth

Knowth is a prehistoric monument overlooking the River Boyne in County Meath, Ireland.

Ianfhunter / CC BY 4.0

G

Hill of Tara

The Hill of Tara is a hill and ancient ceremonial and burial site near Skryne in County Meath, Ireland.

Dom Carron / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Baldongan Hill

Baldongan Church, also called Baldungan Castle, is an ancient ruined church and National Monument near Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland.

Jens Georgi / CC-BY-SA

I

Glenmacnass Waterfall

An 80-meter waterfall situated at the head of a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, accessible via the Military Road.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

J

Kilkenny Castle Park

Fifty acres of parkland surrounding Kilkenny Castle, including a formal terraced rose garden, woodland paths, and a wildlife lake.

Fiddawn / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Jerpoint Park

The medieval lost town of Newtown Jerpoint is just west of the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey, near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland.

L

Lough Boora

Reclaimed cutaway bog featuring outdoor sculptures, cycling paths, and the site of a Mesolithic settlement dating back to 6800 BC.

Sarah777 / Public domain

M

Lough Ennell

Lough Ennell is a lake near the town of Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland.

laura ammons / CC BY-SA 2.0

N

Lough Gowna

Lough Gowna is a fresh water lake which is the uppermost lake on the River Erne.

O

Lough Ree

Large freshwater lake on the River Shannon containing several islands, including Inchcleraun, which houses ruins of an early Christian monastery.

P

Porchfield

The Porch Fields is an area of medieval farmland outside Trim, Ireland with a medieval roadway that forms a National Monument.

Q

Ballinafunshoge Waterfall

Secluded waterfall located in the Glenmalure Valley, accessible through forest tracks in the Wicklow Mountains.

R

The Green

Public green space in the coastal town of Malahide, offering recreational areas near the shoreline.

Other Lists

Leinster Essentials Editor's Choice Hidden Gems Castles & Fortifications Historic Places of Worship Archaeological & Heritage Sites Museums & Galleries Gardens & Parks