Local Area & Activities

We hope you will find this local information from our committee members in Ireland helpful when making plans to explore the area.

 

Killashee Hotel & Spa is located 2 kilometres from Naas, which is the largest town in County Kildare and 30 kilometres from Dublin city centre. Dublin and Kildare are both in Leinster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. The most used Irish translation of Naas is “An Nás” which means the place of assembly, so it is fitting that the 2025 CSEA EMEA Conference will be hosted in Naas!

Kildare is part of Ireland’s Ancient East. In Irish, Kildare is “Cill Dara” which means Church of the Oak and it is believed that St. Brigid, one of the patron saints of Ireland, founded a monastery there. The story goes that she approached the King of Leinster for land in which to build her monastery asking 'give me as much land as my cloak can cover'. The King initially refused but when he heard of this suggestion and saw the size of her cloak, he laughed and agreed. According to legend, she had people take a corner of the cloak and walk in opposite directions and the cloak began to grow and spread across hundreds of acres!

Kildare is also home to world-renowned companies such as Intel, Hewlett Packard, Pfizer, and Kerry Group. Strong indigenous companies such as the Queally Group, O’Brien Fine Foods, and Green Isle have created a legacy of success in Kildare and a strong vibrant ecosystem of high potential start-ups that include med-tech, bio-pharma, and ICT services are also present. More information about Kildare.

And in case you are interested, the nickname for the Kildare Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) team is the Lilywhites, as a result of its early jerseys being made from the bags of the Lilywhite Bakery.

Attractions in County of Kildare

• The Grand Canal (3km from Killashee Hotel)
• Newbridge Silver (15km from Naas)
• Whitewater Shopping Centre (15km from Naas)
• The Curragh Racecourse (18km from Naas)
• The National Stud & Gardens (23km from Naas)
• Kildare Village, Designer Outlet Shopping (23km from Naas)
• St. Brigid’s Cathedral & Round Tower (24km from Naas)
• Maynooth University including the beautiful St. Patrick’s College Chapel (30km from Naas)
  
   

What’s where in Naas?
10 - 12 minute drive or bus ride from Killashee
Link to map of Naas town

Medical

• Naas General Hospital is located within walking distance of the centre of Naas town and an important aspect of the hospital’s role is the provision of a 24-hour Emergency Department.
• Vista Primary Care is Ireland’s largest primary care facility. The Vista Primary Care Campus is conveniently located on the Ballymore Eustace Road, Naas, Co. Kildare and provides a comprehensive range of medical services including a pharmacy which is open 365 days a year from 8am to midnight. A full list of services along with their contact information can be viewed on their services page:

Shopping

• Naas town centre includes a wide variety of boutiques, grocery shops and retail parks. It is home to many high-end boutiques including Emporium Kalu, Aria, Nicola Ross, Gallery 9 to name but a few.
• Dunnes Grocery Store can be found in the centre of Naas town and Tesco Grocery Store is on the outskirts (the Monread Centre)

Restaurants

• Neighbourhood Restaurant aims to celebrate great Irish produce and talent and helps support local businesses by sourcing the best ingredients straight from their Irish suppliers. The menus feature plenty of elements produced in-house, from dry-aged meats, cured fish and vegetables, to preserves and pickles. It was awarded Best Restaurant of the Year 2023.
• Bouchon, situated in the middle of Naas town, over Kavanaghs Pub, serves a mixture of classic dishes along with modern European cuisine in a relaxed setting.
• Lemongrass Fusion Naas has been delighting diners since its opening in 2013, offering a blend of the finest Asian Fusion cuisine right in the heart of Kildare. Nestled in the vibrant centre of Naas town, this restaurant has become a go-to destination for food enthusiasts seeking an authentic and high-quality dining experience.
• Indi Spice Grill fuses fine Indian cuisine with the best local produce and seasonal ingredients.
• Las Radas Wine & Tapas Bar is a lively and vibrant restaurant following the tapas-style of dining.

Pubs

• Fletcher’s has been serving quality drinks since 1829. This pub is full of history and character, featuring an old-style bar, snug and lounge.
• Hayden’s is a traditional pub with live music, set dancing and trad sessions.
• Kavanagh’s is situated in the middle of Naas town, the pub is a traditional family owned property with live music most weekends and a large beer garden.
• McCormack’s is the oldest family pub in Naas and has had 5 generations of McCormacks running it.

Culture

• The Moate Theatre, in the heart of Naas, is a state-of-the-art performance hub which hosts quality music, comedy and theatre acts from all around the country and beyond. The size of the 200 seat theatre lends to a great atmosphere. A small bar and café are also on site, serving great homemade food. The building itself was formerly the Christian Brother’s School and now hosts the Naas Country Market every Friday from 9am to 12 noon.
• On Saturdays, don’t miss the Naas Farmers’ Market at the newly reclaimed Pota Market, where you can sample and purchase local artisan products. The Potato Market is located in the shadow of the walls of St David’s Castle, a 13th-century Normal castle currently undergoing renovation. This historic site adds a touch of medieval charm to the bustling market atmosphere.
• A well-known landmark in Naas is Perpetual Motion, commonly referred to as the Naas Ball, which signals to visitors they have arrived in the town.
   

Opportunities in Dublin
1-hour drive or bus transport from Killashee

As Careers consultants from global top business schools, we would like to highlight the professional development opportunities Dublin offers for ambitious business graduates and business professionals.  Dublin, a thriving hub for multinationals and startups alike, presents an array of networking and career advancement prospects. 

Your first stop should be the Guinness Storehouse, not just for the iconic pint of the black stuff,, but to study a masterclass in brand building and experiential marketing. Next, soak up the culture and gain insights into the history of Ireland at National Museum of Ireland and of course, visit the Book of Kells at the historic Trinity College.  Similarly, if you want to find out more about Ireland’s proud literary tradition, then take in MoLI, hosted by Ireland’s largest university, University College Dublin.  

Check out the Sports Marketing phenomenon that promotes Ireland’s traditional sports showcased at Croke Park.  Find out more about the GAA and our two national sports - Hurling (the oldest field game in the world) and Gaelic Football. 

For those interested in public sector consulting or policy roles, Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Gaol offer valuable context on Irish governance and socio-economic history as well as Collins’ Barracks.   To refine your cultural intelligence, essential in today's global business environment, visit the National Gallery of Ireland and Dublin City Gallery (Hugh Lane).   The Temple Bar area, while quite touristic, is an excellent venue for informal networking and observing successful hospitality businesses in action. 

Ireland is home to 16 of the top 20 global tech companies and the top 3 enterprise software providers. So, for those targeting the tech sector, a visit to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum can provide insights into Ireland's diaspora networks, crucial for understanding the country's global business connections. 

Lastly, Grafton Street serves as a real-world case study in retail strategy and consumer behavior. Remember, every interaction in Dublin is a potential opportunity to expand your professional network and gain valuable business insights.

 

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors and Exhibitors