Castletown House

Absolutely beautiful.
We took the dogs out for a few hours here today, they had the best time. Running, jumping in the water, rolling in the muck, chasing other dogs, picking up twigs as souvenirs.
The grounds are stunning. The entrance is long, and leads into amazing fields.
It was quite mucky today but that’s half the fun.
It’s definitely a place to take the dogs or go for a long stroll. Some of the sides are quite steep so when it’s muddy, you may end up on your bum.
It’s only a 20 minute drive from Dublin, which is super handy.
The dogs loved it too, so we’ll definitely have to come back!

Magnificent architecture in an area soaked in history. There is FREE admission to walk and explore the 18^th century restored Parklands and River Walks. The Dublin Bus-​67 runs to Celbridge Main Street then 10 minute walk through 18^th century parkland. Daily tours March to October 10am-​6pm.

Big old Georgian house and grounds set just off exit no 6 on the M4. Always packed with locals and visitors alike on weekend. I love this place as it’s one of the few parks that is truly dog friendly (not, we have an enclosed dog run friendly) and the grounds are perfect for strolling around.
There is a great courtyard café, guided tours available, free concerts and a craft and farmers markets on one Sunday a month from March to Oct. And at only 20 mins from Dublin, what’s not to like.

We visited the stately home of Castletown House and took the guided tour. For less than 5 Euro, it was a great value for a fab little tour.
The grounds are just beautiful and are well worth a walk through. There’s no fee to enjoy the green spaces and they’re open throughout the day (longer than the house itself) for nature walks, dog exercise, jogging, etc. Truly a lovely place!

Georgian architecture, long winding walks, a flowing river with fishing perches on each twist, a grand mile-​long entrance, the best conker-​laden trees in the country (officially!), and even it’s own ghost.
Castletown House is situated twenty minutes from Dublin city centre in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
No better place is there to bring your dog on a Sunday, or simply wander around the grounds. Bring a picnic if you’d like — there is a café open on the weekends, but with the ruins of a Georgian bathing house overlooking the Liffey river, why sit inside? Landscape maps are available at reception to follow the route of the historical pathways which are proposed for restoration.
There are tours also offered inside the house right up to winter. The diverse and fascinating Conolly family members who lived in the house are explained, and you will be thoroughly entertained by ghost stories of the finest stature.
There was the ghost of a gentleman in a long grey coat was seen walking down a staircase, ten years before a staircase was ever built. .
There is also the widow who survived him by many years.
Not to forget the rider who appeared to Thomas Connolly, nephew of the Speaker of the House of Commons. When the rider removed his boots, a cloven foot was revealed. A priest present threw a book at him which passed through him and smashed the mirror behind him. Each time the mirror was replaced since, the same crack has re-​occurred.
But enough of the ghostly tales. Go, stroll, wander, eat, gaze, wonder, and spend all of twenty minutes getting home again. Winner.