Love Your County: Kildare

Our Love Your County series continues today with a focus on the Kidare, a county steeped in many different sports.

Sporting moment: Leinster champions 1998

By 1998 Kildare had gone 42 years without Provincial success. The previous year under Mick O’Dwyer they captured public imagination by taking All-Ireland champions Meath to a replay, after beating Laois in the previous round with 13 men.

That summer Micko would further prove his class by taking the Lilywhites to not only the coveted Leinster title, but to an All-Ireland Final. In doing so they became the only team in 110 years of championship football to beat the previous three champions by beating Dublin, Meath and Kerry before eventually losing to Galway in the decider.

It was as close as Kildare have come to landing Sam since they last won the All-Ireland back in 1928, but it was a great summer for all concerned with the county.

Motor racing in Mondello Park

Have a go on Ireland’s only international motor racing circuit. Motor sport enthusiasts can watch some of the most exciting cars manufactured today race on the challenging Mondello circuit, while also test their own driving skills should they wish to do so.

Horse racing in Kildare

Visit The Curragh, home of the Irish Classics, Naas or Punchestown racecourses for a taste of Irish racing at its best. The Irish Derby at the Curragh, the famous Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown and excellent facilities Naas Racecourse offer visitors a wonderful choice of racing.