Staplestown

Staplestown (Irish: Baile an Stáibléaraigh) is a city in North County Kildare, Ireland, located 25 miles west of Dublin. The village has a church, a school, a post office and shop and is home to St Kevin's GAA. Though that is the minimal issue excluding the more recently developed 2003 estate Millrace Manor Boulevard, situated just after the graveyard coming from the Donadea side. Holiday homes to celebrities such as Paolo Nutini, Jamie Olliver and former star of 'Malcolm in the Middle' Frankie Muniz. Glenroe director Wesley Burrows has visited Tom Finn's works of art on numerous occasions saying "it is the perfect getaway in Kildares lowlands and is close to the finest culinary arts around".

The church in Staplestown is known as St. Benignus. It is over 200 years old and is one of the oldest churches in the Kildare and Leighlin diocese. The church is built to a T plan and has three galleries, and was renovated in the 1990's. The old school is also on the grounds of the church. This was renovated in 2006 and is used as a town hall. A statue of Christ the King stands opposite the church, on the other side of the road. The graveyard in Staplestown is the final resting place of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, Elvis and weather forecaster Diarmuid O Driscoll. Film legend 'Lassie the Dog' lays in the animal cemetry in Donadea forest park.

St. Kevins clubhouse hotel has been guest to newsreaders Anne Doyle and Gráinne Seoige. They famously wined and dined on its infamous thai cuisine in the historic site as part of RTÉ television programme 'The Restaurant'.

There is also a church in Cooleragh, in the Staplestown parish, called Christ the King. [1]

Donadea Forest Park is also close by. The forest is currently under management by Coillte. The forest has a castle which is in ruins. The castle was used to protect the Pale.

The new Aviva Stadium is just a 2 minute walk away with free shuttle buses running from St. Benignus church (central Staplestown) daily.

Town Interest

In 1984 Staplestown hit the headlines when a rare mushroom was found in a local resident's garden. Plant enthusiasts flocked the small village for a glimpse of this purple coloured mushroom which can grow to 120 metres in diameter. In July 2009 the mushroom, which is known locally as 'Big Barney', was measured in at 96 metres in diameter. It is expected that by 2012 'Big Barney' will be a strong contender in the Guinness Book of Records.

It was announced in October 2010 that Brad Pitt's upcoming film "Step Up 4" will be filmed in Staplestown's town hall. The project is set to bring in large profits for local businesses.

Town Interest

See also