County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie

County Kildare Walking Routes Project
8. Signage is good with a numbered tourist trail in place highlighting buildings of interest.
The Slí na Sláinte route signs are in place. There are information boards on the main
street giving tourist information and at the canal harbour giving historical information.
9. The majority of the 6.4kms is on tarred road with only a short 0.5kms along single track
canal towpath.
10. Most of the built heritage is along the route and can be appreciated without requiring
access to private property. The most interesting buildings are open to the public, such
as the Town Hall, Court House, Former RIC barracks, Church yards, etc.
11. There are regular Race Meetings at Naas and Punchestown including the Irish
National Hunt Festival in April. The Moate Theatre has a continuous programme of
theatrical events throughout the year including the hosting of the annual All Ireland
One-Act Drama Finals. The Naas County Library organises lecture series and art
exhibitions on a regular basis. Nearby Mondello Park hosts motorbike and car racing
including the British Touring Car and British Superbike Championships. There are no
established walking festivals in Naas.
12. The route is on the level with no climbs or steep slopes to negotiate. There are no
styles to cross (apart from one detour along a towpath if desired). The underfoot
conditions are firm requiring no specialist walking equipment apart from a stout pair of
walking shoes. The route is suitable for all levels of walker.
13. The route his firm underfoot with no styles to negotiate and frequent pedestrian
crossing points making it suitable for wheelchair access.
14. In the town the route follows the pedestrian footpaths with frequent pedestrian
crossings available. Along the public road sections by the canal there are speed
bumps to slow down vehicular traffic. Sections of the route do not have speed bumps
or signs warning motorists that walkers can be expected.
15. There is ample car parking in the town including a covered multi-storey car park on the
route.
16. There is life saving equipment provided along the canal and speed bumps to reduce
the speed of motorists along the canal bank roads. An alternative tree lined single
track tarmac path along the canal is provided to avoid traffic.
17. There is a linked 3km Slí na Sláinte route that has additional built heritage, including
the former Naas Railway station stores and section of railway now incorporated into a
walk, the Fairgreen, the pleasant Lakelands Park with flocks of mallard and nesting
swans, the Workhouse Graveyard and the new Catholic Church at Ballycane with its
interesting architecture.
18. The Slí na Sláinte route is sponsored by Co. Kildare VEC, Kildare County Council and
Naas Urban District Council. Kildare Sports Partnership provides training courses for
walk leaders to encourage groups to engage in healthy walking pursuits.
19. The route is maintained by Naas UDC and it comes under the environmental plan for
the Naas urban area.
20. There is no private sector involvement but private business along the route such as
Millenium Park, which owns the old Leinster Mill building and Keredern Stud could be
approached to provide access or signage to enhance the route.
21. The route is a Slí na Sláinte route and a walk manager could be identified.
22. There is an active Local History Group that has developed a tourist trail in the town.
There is a Naas Tidy Towns Committee.
23. There are public toilets, seats and picnic tables along the route.
24. The town has a wide selection of pubs and restaurants that serve food throughout the
day.