A new tourist trail dedicated to Ireland's female patron saint, St Brigid, has been opened by the Kildare Tourism Board.
St Brigid's Tourism Trail was launched on Thursday, to coincide with St Brigid's Day.
It takes in some of Kildare town's best-known landmarks creating a north-south trail, and was launched in conjunction with Ireland's Ancient East.
Pictured at the launch of the new St Brigid's Trail in Kildare town were Sr Rita from Solas Bhríde, Kildare Tourism development manager Aine Mangan and Tom McCutcheon of Kildare Town Heritage Centre | Image: Michael Donnelly
Kildare Tourism development manager Aine Mangan said: "St Brigid established her church and monastery close to an oak grove in Kildare, giving the town its name - Cill Dara, church of the oak."
Unusually, it was a monastery for men and women.
The legend surrounding the King of Leinster's grant of land for the project has it that he agreed to give her only what her cloak would cover.
When she laid down her cloak, it spread out to encompass the whole of the Curragh Plains.
St Brigid | Image: catholictradition.org
Starting at the Kildare Heritage Centre on Market Square, visitors can watch an audio-visual presentation on St Brigid and her connection to the town.
After the Heritage Centre, the trail then takes in St Brigid's Cathedral before heading south toward St Brigid's Church - which was opened by Daniel O'Connell in 1833.
Visitors then move on to the Solas Bhríde Centre - a purpose-built centre dedicated to the spiritual legacy of St Brigid.
The final spot on the tour is the ancient St Brigid's Well on Tully Road.
Tourists will be guided around the trail, which can be completed in approximately two hours, by a new brochure and map.
