While perhaps best known for its iconic landmark the "Big Ball", a sculpture whose real name is actually
Perpetual Motion, there's actually a lot more to the modest town of Naas.
The original Irish name is
Nás na Ríogh which means ‘Meeting Place of The Kings’, as pre-Norman kings of Leinster would assemble here. Throw in the fact that St Patrick also performed baptisms in the area back in the day and you start to realise just how important and long-lived this community is.
Just 30km from Dublin, approximately a 40 minutes away by car or 50 minutes by bus, the town offers an easy commute for a large portion of its 21,000 inhabitants who work in the capital. You start to see the allure of the area even more when you throw in the facts that it's a stone's throw from Newbridge and Kildare Village, has a selection of boutique clothes shops and more than 10 schools in the surrounding area if you're starting a family.
Existing on the borderline between rural and city living, the people of Naas get to experience the best of both worlds.
Since the property company Ballymore has just opened a family-oriented development called
Stoneleigh in Naas, we thought we'd look at everything the surrounding community has to offer.
And with property prices far below the average of Dublin, settling in or around this area might be the smart option in financial terms.
Here are just a few of the other reasons why a move to Naas could be for you...
A thriving restaurant scene
Leaving Dublin for a small town means leaving behind all that choice when it comes to food, right? Not necessarily.
Naas has more than 40 restaurants to choose from, including the family-owned Traz Brasserie, the critically-acclaimed Las Radas Wine & Tapas Bar, the innovative The Candied Walnut, the fine French dining spot Vie de Chateaux and many more.
Besides, even when you
do want to have an evening out for dinner and drinks in Dublin, you can always catch one of the numerous buses which travel back to Naas late into the night.
Plenty of choice when it comes to pubs
Naas also has its fair share of quality pubs to act as your new social stomping grounds.
There's the vibrant Kavanagh's to watch matches and enjoy live performances, Hayden's which has been a favourite among locals since 1850, Thomas Fletcher's for a quiet chat over pints, and Grace's for your cocktail fix.
There's something to suit
all tastes.
Naas Racecourse
If the weather's with you,
Naas Racecourse is one of the best places in town to be.
When those big race days roll around, they provide you with the
perfect excuse to get all dolled up for a glam day out with your mates.
Plenty of family fun days are held here too, where go-karting, pony rides and bouncy castles are set-up for the little tykes to enjoy... and thoroughly tire themselves out.
Punchestown Festival
Even more equestrian fun for all you hippophiles (that's lovers of horses,
not hippos).
Considered the grande finale of the jump season, the Punchestown Festival is the highlight of this racecourse's calendar, with top-class horses, trainers and jockeys from Ireland and the UK going head to head to settle old scores for the delight of the crowd.
The Farmer's Market
Since it's been running for about a decade at this point, we think it's fair to say that the locals have come to love the
Naas Farmer's Market.
You can spend a pleasant Sunday afternoon simply soaking up the atmosphere and perusing the market's stalls for fresh local produce, artisan goods and breakfast treats.
You might even get a bit of a show while you're there.
Naas Golf Club
If golf is your thing, you won't have to worry about giving up your habit in these parts.
Naas Golf Club is a superb course for all the wannabe Rory McIlroys of the world — and don't even get us
started on the grub in the club house.
Perhaps the most beautiful section of the Grand Canal
You'd be hard pushed to find someplace else along the Grand Canal that looks better than this.
Whether you're going for a leisurely stroll or your daily run, this seriously picturesque stretch of the waterway is always a pleasure to traverse.
Especially when autumn rolls around.
Header image: rossjmccarthy/Instagram
