09 Celbridge Abbey – Celbridge Heritage Trail

Straddling the River Liffey in County Kildare, and easily accessible from Dublin and the rest of Leinster, Celbridge is an ideal gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East. It is home to a host of interesting stories and historic buildings and has connections with an array of significant figures from the past, including William ‘Speaker’ Conolly, Jonathan Swift, Arthur Guinness and Henry Grattan. From its early origins as an ancient monastery, Celbridge developed into a thriving town. The arrival of William Conolly, who was one of Ireland’s richest and most powerful men at the time, was a catalyst for development and growth. He and his descendants exerted a major influence on the development of Celbridge over the next one hundred years and more. Their most spectacular creation was the magnificent Castletown House. They also sponsored educational institutions in the town and ensured that buildings on the village street were constructed to the highest standards, leaving Celbridge with an enduring architectural legacy that makes it such a rewarding place to visit today. This guide has been produced by Abarta in conjunction with Celbridge Heritage Tourism Forum under the auspices of the Integrated Services Programme and with the support of Kildare County Council.