Kildare County Museum Summer Exhibitions

Kildare town has been at the centre of Irish life since the age of St Brigid, and its heritage centre makes a genuinely good reason to pause here rather than simply pass through on the way to the Curragh or the stud farms. The summer exhibitions running through July and August draw on the county’s long story - from prehistoric settlement and early Christian monasticism to the medieval period and beyond - with a mix of artefacts, documents, and displays that reward a quiet hour of looking. It suits curious adults, older children, and anyone who finds county history more interesting when it is laid out in front of them rather than read about online.

What to expect

The museum occupies the restored Market House on Market Square, a fine old building directly opposite St Brigid’s Cathedral in the medieval core of Kildare town. The summer programme brings together exhibitions on the county’s heritage and history, spanning prehistoric times through to the modern era. Expect a rotating selection of displays that draw on local archives, community collections, and the county’s archaeological record. The setting itself adds to the experience - the cathedral just across the square is one of the oldest in Ireland, and the round tower beside it dates to the 9th or 10th century, so there is real historical weight to this part of town. The museum also serves as a tourist information point, so staff can point you toward other heritage sites in the area if you want to make a full day of it.

Getting there

Kildare town sits on the main Dublin to Cork rail line, making it one of the more accessible county towns in Leinster. Irish Rail operates regular services from Heuston Station in Dublin, with the journey taking under an hour. The train station is a short walk from Market Square. By road, the town is just off the M7 motorway at junction 13, roughly 50 km from Dublin. Street parking is available around Market Square and nearby streets, though it can be busy on fine summer days when the cathedral and round tower draw visitors alongside the museum.

While you’re in Kildare

St Brigid’s Cathedral and the adjacent round tower are worth a look while you are on the square, and the Japanese Gardens and Irish National Stud are only a few minutes by car if you want to extend the trip. There is more to see in Kildare and across Co. Kildare.

Good to know

• Runs daily from 1 July through August 2026, opening at 10:00am
• Free admission
• Venue: Kildare County Museum, Market Square, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
• Check current opening hours and any specific exhibition details at kildarecoco.ie or contact the heritage office before visiting
• The Market Square location is step-free at street level; contact the venue directly to confirm full accessibility arrangements