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Leinster/Laighin Central trail
Dublin, Maynooth Castle, Croghan Hill, Dún Naas, Craddocks Town West Standing Stone, Dún Ailinne, Old Kilcullan High Cross, Athgreany Stone Circle, Glendalough Cross and Deer Stone and Avondale House and Forest Park.
Dublin/Baile Átha Cliath
We suggest you begin your tour of Ireland in the capital, Dublin/Baile Átha Cliath. The name derives from the Irish name Dubh Linn (black pool) and it is the capital of Ireland. The city grew from a Viking settlement on the River Liffey. More on Dublin
Maynooth Castle/Caisleán Maigh Nuad
This is an early thirteenth century castle in the town of Maynooth/Maigh Nuad in County Kildare in Leinster. It was home to the Fitzgerald family until it fell to English forces after the 'Silken Thomas' rebellion, and the entire defensive garrison was killed in 1535. More on Maynooth Castle/Caisleán Maigh Nuad
Croghan Hill/Cruachán Bri Eile
The site is Neolithic and dates back to around 2000BC. There are a number of burial mounds within and around the fort. It is circular with four embankments and ditches which was further secured by it's location in an area of bogland. The remains of 'Old Croghan Man', a well preserved Iron Age bog body who is believed to have died (possibly as a sacrifice) between 362 and 175 BC, was found in a bog close by. More on Croghan Hill/Cruachán Bri Eile
Dún Naas
The site was a fortification associated with Luighdech Eithlenn, King of Leinster. It was built in 140 AD on the location of a previous fortification and was itself subsequently destroyed and rebuilt by Princess Tailtinn. The site now consists of two north and south earthwork mottes the largest one remaining at the north. More on Dún Naas
Craddocks Town West Standing Stone
The stone stands about five meters high and has a pronounced lean towards the west. More on Craddocks Town West Standing Stone
Dún Ailinne
This is the largest hillfort in Ireland and dates from the Neolithic period. A low embankment encloses an area of over thirty four acres and the site is thought to have fulfilled a ritual and ceremonial purpose rather than residential. Within the enclosure is some archaeological evidence of a small group of structures. More on Dún Ailinne
Old Kilcullan High Cross
Old Kilcullan in County Kildare is the location of Old Kilcullan High Cross. This cross is to the east of the Dun Ailinne hillfort on the hill of Knockaulin and is a granite carved cross dating to the ninth century.
Athgreany Stone Circle
This is a stone circle, which is also known as the Piper's Stones, and consists of some fourteen stones. More on Athgreany Stone Circle
Glendalough Cross and Deer Stone
This is an early Christian site in the area of the monastery of Glen da Loch which dates from the sixth century. On the site is the conical shaped Deer Stone, the high cross of St Kevin standing about eleven feet in height from the tenth to eleventh century, a thirty metre high round tower from the same period, and the remains of the Cathedral and Church. More on Glendalough Cross and Deer Stone
Avondale House and Forest Park
The birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891,) who was the Irish nationalist political founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party. The house at Avondale was built in 1777 and set in the 500 acre Avondale Park. More on Avondale House and Forest Park