Ballintine Park is a new development of luxurious 3 and 4 bedroom family homes located in rural County Kildare. The hamlet of Allen is close to Newbridge and Naas, and 30 miles (50km) from Dublin city centre. Exit 10 of the M7 at Naas is just 12 minutes’ drive away.
No compromise necessary. Enjoy all the benefits of living in the countryside yet feel connected to Dublin city centre. By car:
Newbridge (your closest train station) and Sallins and Naas both offer good commuter services serving north Kildare and west Dublin on the way to Heuston Station or Grand Canal Dock.
The hamlet is named for the Hill of Allen close by, a much-loved landmark in the Kildare countryside which is associated with the mythical warrior Fionn Mac Cumhail.
Legend tells us that Fionn Mac Cumhail was the leader of all the fianna, a fian being a band of young noblemen and women in the service of a chieftain. The job of the fian was to protect the interests of the chieftain and, if necessary, to join with other fianna to defend Ireland from invasion. Fionn Mac Cumhail’s fian had its headquarters on the Hill of Allen. The nearby Curragh was known to be their training ground.
Climbing the steps to the top of the stone tower on the brow of the hill affords panoramic views of the great plains of the midlands. Walkers and riders will love the canal towpaths in the area.
Milltown GAA club, which is five minutes’ drive away, offers football and hurling from age 6, and there is a plethora of GAA clubs in the vicinity including the Newbridge clubs of Moorefield and St Conleth’s.
Rugby players are well served with Cill Dara Rugby Club on the outskirts of Kildare, Newbridge Rugby Club close to Athgravan and Naas RFC.
Golfers will be spoiled for choice. Newbridge Golf Club is probably the closest but there is no shortage of options! Dunmurray Springs between Kildare and Rathangan is a straight run from Allen. Palmerstown House Estate close to Naas has a growing reputation and the prestigious courses of Ryder Cup host the K Club are a mere 25 minutes away.
As for gyms, many Naas and Newbridge hotels have fine gyms with swimming pools. K Leisure, the local authority-run sports facility, runs complexes in Naas and Newbridge, both of which have astro pitches for hire. K Leisure Naas has a swimming pool and running track.
County Kildare is a foodie hotspot with numerous award-winning restaurants and gastro pubs. Some of the best examples of the latter are The Hanged Man’s of Milltown, a five minute drive from Allen and Harte’s in Kildare just 15 minutes away. Canteen in Celbridge and Two Cooks in Sallins represent that exciting new breed of Irish restaurant – fine dining but in casual surroundings. Naas is chock-a-block with eateries and for those empty larder nights, Kilmeague has a traditional chipper and Lily Garden, an Asian food take away.
There are plenty of facilities in the area for team sports and organised individual sports from tennis to athletics, so there is no excuse for not keeping active. Walking or cycling the canal towpaths is a lovely way to spend time together. To slow down the pace altogether, take a barge trip along the Grand Canal from Sallins. Into Kildare, County Kildare’s tourism authority, has details of themed and waymarked walks, barge trips and lots of inspiration for things to do in the area.
Donadea Forest Park and Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Centre will become regular destinations for getting out and about at weekends.
Ballintine Park has large, landscaped green areas – ideal for life with growing families.
Schools wise, Allen National School is literally on your doorstep. The prestigious Newbridge College is an option for second level and Scoil Mhuire Community School in Clane is another. If you’d prefer an Irish-speaking school, Gael Choláiste Chill Dara is in Naas. Maynooth University is a short drive away. At the other end of the scale, there’s a creche in Kilmeague so close you can walk to it.
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