The scenic cathedral and market town of Kildare is about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Dublin in County Kildare. The cathedral is called St Brigid's. It was named after one of Ireland's favorite saints and its origins as a religious center were founded in the 5th century. One of the cathedral's main features is the stained-glass portrait of the saints Brigid, Patrick and Columbia, which faces west. The most important is the tomb of Walter Wellesley though. He was a bishop of Kildare at the beginning of the 16th century.
Not far south of Kildare is the National Stud, the government-sponsored cornerstone of Ireland's horse-breeding industry. Guided tours are available and you can also visit the museum, which pays homage to Irish equine greats and to the role of the horse in Irish history. Immediately next door to the stud are the Japanese Gardens. They are an effort of philosophical landscaping and use various landmarks to signify the journey of life. The gardens are one of the best examples of Japanese style in Europe.
You can get to Kildare by train and bus from Dublin. Buses take about an hour and trains make the 55 km trip in 30 minutes.
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