Houses » The Kildare Hotel and Country Club
The Kildare Hotel and County Club in Straffan, Co Kildare is a luxury Five Star Hotel a short drive from Dublin City Centre and Dublin Airport - a sporting paradise with fishing, golfing and shooting available to guests. A one mile stretch of the River Liffey offers superb Salmon, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout fishing and several stocked lakes ensure guests have great sport.
This country estate of 550 acres is a sportsman's paradise and is one of Ireland's five Red Star hotels. It is located 40 minutes from Dublin Airport and 40 minutes from Dublin city centre.
The hotel has its origins in Straffan house, the history of which goes back nearly 1500 years. After painstaking restoration and renovation, it opened as a hotel in 1991. Every room is different, each with its own style, reflecting the décor of 18th century mansions.
Its facilities include the luxurious K Spa, with 16.5, swimming pool, jacuzzi, outdoor hot-tub, gymnasium and 11 treatment suites. Other sporting interests catered for include claypigeon shooting, horseriding, archery, cycling and country walks along the river.
In the grounds of the estate there are two Arnold Palmer designed courses, The Palmer Course, which played host to the 2006 Ryder Cup Matches, and the Smurfit Course, Home to the Smurfit Kappa European Open.
The Fishing
The estate offers excellent fishing for salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout. Salmon fishing is available on the estate over one mile of the River Liffey. The Liffey rises in the Dublin Mountains, winds its way for 80 miles and skirts the southern edge of the estate on its way to the sea at Dublin. Considerable fishery work has been done on the estate’s stretch, creating substantial holding pools and improving its fly life. Excellent dry fly fishing on the River.
During construction of the golf course, several lakes were created and artificially stocked. One lake of approximately eight acres carries excellent stocks of brown trout, while two smaller lakes are stocked with rainbow trout. Silt from the River Liffey bed was transported to the lakes, resulting in abundant insect life. To further emphasise its importance as a brown trout fishery, it has been featured in one of the popular TV angling series.
All tackle and waterproof gear can be supplied. Boats, ghillies and tuition can be provided. Freezing facilities are also available.