The Grey Abbey — Attraction in The Municipal District of Kildare — Newbridge

Grey Abbey is a ruined Franciscan abbey in Kildare Town which was founded in 1260.

The best views of the Abbey are from the boardwalk from Kildare Village. There are signs warning to keep out of the Abbey but it is accessible through a break in the trees in the graveyard.

The graveyard itself is extremely overgrown and is quite dangerous to navigate. The grass was 10-15 inches deep in parts and I did step into a couple of deep holes whilst walking around.

Seven local IRA men executed in the Curragh Camp by the Free State Army in 1922 were initially buried in the camp but six of them were re-interred at Grey Abbey in 1924 and an impressive monument was later erected on their grave by the National Graves...

Peaceful little spot that you can get to along a pleasant boardwalk leading from the outlet stores. There is a nice park bench there. Looks like you can get closer if you keep following the path around, but I just strolled up from the stores. One of the joys of Ireland, that these majestic ruins are around every corner, and often right next to a very modern...

A nice location but on the day of my visit it was quite neglected. Parking was across the road and the cemetery attached has its own interest but the fact you could not access the old ruin was a bummer. Still it has charm and on the right day with some tender love and care it could be so much...