Located only 30 minutes from Dublin City Centre and from Dublin Airport, a stay at Barberstown Castle affords guests the experience of a relaxing and luxurious historic country house hotel with close proximity to the bustling capital city of Dublin.

Barberstown Castle is an integral part of the village of Straffan, whose name in Gaelic ‘Sruthan’ means ‘The Stream’. A quaint village, Straffan offers the best of the traditional Irish village experience with its sprawling fields, quirky local characters and unique shops and activities to amuse and entertain.

There is something to suit all guests staying at Barberstown Castle. Outlined below is a brief introduction to what Straffan and surrounding villages and towns have to offer.

Set on over 200 acres of picturesque Kildare countryside, Abbeyfield Equestrian and Outdoor Activity Centre invites you to experience a relaxing horse ride through the quiet country lanes or an exhilarating horse ride cross country on one of their 40 horses.

Barberstown Castle is a golfer's paradise. Special packages have been arranged for guests wishing to play at the prestigious K-Club, only five minutes away, which is home to the Smurfit European Open and to the Ryder Cup 2006. Alternatively a day out at the Montgomerie Course at Carton House Golf Club, designed by Colin Montgomerie, only equals the enjoyment of the course designed by Mark O’Meara on the venue.

Visit the Irish National Stud, which has become an international tourist attraction. Opened in 1946, the Stud consists of 958 acres of land and there are 288 boxes on the farm for the mares, foals and stallions. Expert equestrian tuition is available.

The Japanese Gardens, on the grounds of the Irish National Stud, are artistic and horticultural but also philosophical, religious and historical. The landscapes are now of international renown and are acclaimed as the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe.

Newgrange (Bru na Boinne) is a place not to be missed; an hour and a half’s drive from the castle, Ireland’s best known collection of pre-historic monuments designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. Pagan Ireland’s royal burial palce, contains 37 passage graves as well as the great turmuli of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Here you can see one of the greatest displays of Neolithic art in Europe, dating back to 3200 BC.

Take a drive through the famous Wicklow Gap to Glendalough, famous home of St. Kevin and his monks in the middle ages. Walk through the beautiful Wicklow National Park and afterwards visit the Roundwood Inn for a pint and some great food. Afterwards visit Powerscourt Waterfall and Gardens. This is a great way to spend a day viewing the countryside around Barberstown Castle.

If you enjoy the calmness and serenity from the experience of fishing, the castle staff will arrange a private fishing excursion for you to fish Coarse, Trout and Salmon on the nearby River Liffey. Alternatively fish the local Roberstown Canal which is filled with Pike, Roche and may other fish.

Other outdoor pursuits include Horse Racing at Punchestown, The Curragh, Naas and Fairyhouse.

Perhaps an afternoon steering a canal boat and soaking up the sights of the tranquil rural setting is more appealing. Canal Pleasure Tours in Robertstown can provide this experience for you on their barge ‘The Princess Marcel’ which meanders through the canals of County Kildare.

Visit the world famous Horse Sales at Tattersalls or Goffs and rub shoulders with the greats of the racing industry.

Guests can take a leisurely stroll around the lakes and castle ruins of the nearby Donadea Forest Park, quickly followed by a refreshing pint in 90 year old Moira Roche’s famous pub, which is sinking into the Bog of Allen on which it stands!

Meander through the antique stalls of ‘Marie’s Antiques’ directly across the road from the castle. You are bound to find a treasure or two to dress your home with. The hotel is dotted with antiques from this store purchased over the years by Barberstown proprietor, Kenneth Healy.

A 30 minute car journey will bring you to the heart of Ireland’s capital city. With its 4,000 shops, 11 theatres, hundreds of galleries and parks, Dublin City is one of the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated cities in Europe.

Straffan Butterfly Farm is Ireland’s first live Tropical Exhibition. It is an indoor, all weather centre, where you can enjoy the vision of both exotic butterflies and plants.

Nearby Market town of Naas is fast getting a reputation for being a great source of boutiques with unique style and good value. Afterwards pay a visit to Tommy Fletcher’s ‘Commercial House’ – a genuine traditional Irish pub in nearby Naas, which has been untouched by the 21st century.

Gain an insight into the life and culture of the Irish people over 10,000 years ago with a visit to the Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park in Rathangan. It is a mineral island which rises out of the Bog of Allen and consists of indoor exhibitions, ancient dwellings, woodland walkways and themed gardens.

A viewing of Castletown House, Celbridge, is highly recommended. Built in 1722 by William Connolly who was Speaker of the Irish House of Commons at the time, it is considered to be Ireland's finest historic house. It was recently restored and is the largest and grandest Palladian Mansion in Ireland.

At the Straffan Steam Museum (owned by Robert Guinness) you will see full size live steam engines. Whilst there, take a wander through the 18th century Walled Gardens filled with climbers, fruit trees and rose gardens. Beech hedges divide the different compartments into a white garden, salad parterre, coloured borders, decorative vegetable area, herbaceous border and a walk-way of sweet peas.