 06:57, Friday, May 16, 2008 (in Ireland)
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Naas, Co KildareThis town, which also happens to be the County town developed on the site of a residence of the Leinster kings. Behind the town hall is an Anglo-Norman motte and off the main street is the medieval church of St. David, whose patronage was bought from their native Wales by the Fitzgeralds. A branch line of the Grand Canal enables boats to berth in the harbour near the 19th century Market House and the town library. The name An Nas translates as 'The Castle of the Kings', Naas being once the governing centre of the kings of Leinster. Naas developed into a fortified town under the Nomans and was later razed by Edward Bruce. It later returned to prominence due to the horse racing industry and is now the county town of Kildare. A signposted walk takes in the remains of the 13th century castle on the grounds of St. David's Protestant church. Other places of historic interest include Jigginstown House, located a mile to the south west of Naas. The uncompleted house, now in ruin was to have been a palace for Charles 1 and a Bronze Age burial site, discovered in 1930 at Punchestowns.
Naas MapReturn to Towns and Areas of Kildare | |||||||||
