This 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.
Getting To and Around Naas
For information on getting to and around Co. Kildare, see our Co. Kildare Transport Guide.
Bus to Naas
- Bus routes operated by Bus ireann:
- 123:
- Dublin (Connolly LUAS stop) - Newbridge (Ryans Bar)
- Newbridge (Riverbank Theatre) - Dublin (Busras)
- 124:
- Dublin (Busras) - Portlaoise (Laois Shopping Centre N80)
- Portlaoise (Meehan Court N80) - Dublin (Belfield)
- 126:
- Dublin (DCU) - Kildare (Boyles)
- Kildare (Opp Boyles) - Dublin (Belfield)
- 126N:
- Dublin (Halfpenny Bridge) - Newbridge (Opp Ryans Bar)
- Newbridge (Ryans Bar) - Dublin (Busras)
- 130:
- Athy (C Bar Leinster Street) - Dublin (Busras)
- Dublin (Busras) - Kilcullen (Fraser Garage)
- 123:
- Bus routes operated by Dublin Coach:
- 726:
- Laois Shopping Centre
- Zone 14
- 726:
- Bus routes operated by Kenneally's Bus Service:
- 736:
- Lower Branch Road
- The Folly
- Waterford Institute of Technology
- Zone 14
- 846:
- Caragh Court Naas
- Fairgreen Street Naas
- Naas
- Pipers Hill College Naas
- The Cloisters Clane
- NUM-6:
- Bord Na Mona
- Carlow Barrack Street
- 736: