Kildare is an inland county of eastern Ireland in
Leinster Province, bounded on the east by the counties of
County Dublin and
County Wicklow, on the south by
County Carlow, on the west by
County Laois and
County Offaly, and north by
County Meath. Its area is 654 square miles.
About 40,000 acres of the northwest section consists of the Bog of Allen. The rest of the surface is flat or slightly undulating.
The principal rivers are the Liffey, Boyne, Greese, Blackwater, and Barrow. Near Mullingar are three well known fishing lakes, Ennel, Owel, and Derrevaragh. The Royal Canal traverses the northern boundary line, connecting Dublin with the River Shannon at Cloondara. Many tourists are attracted to Kildare because of the great profusion of wildflowers.
The county town is Kildare. Other important towns in the county are Athey, Naas, Newbridge, and Maynooth.
