Naas
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© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
Nás na Ríogh | Meeting place of the kings
Why visit
Naas is more a stopover than a destination, but it punches above its weight thanks to two major racecourses, Naas Racecourse in town and the Curragh just a short drive away, making it a magnet for Irish flat-racing fans. The town's Main Street pubs, the restored Naas Harbour on the Grand Canal, and easy access to the Wicklow Mountains and the Punchestown Festival in spring give it a lively local feel. Mondello Park motor racing circuit is nearby for petrolheads.
When to avoid
Race weekends, especially Punchestown Festival in late April, send hotel prices soaring and pack the pubs to capacity. Book months ahead or stay in Dublin. Friday evening traffic on the N7 toward Dublin is brutal. The town center can feel rowdy late on weekend nights. Don't expect medieval atmosphere despite the history, most of the streetscape is modern, and rain is a near-constant companion.