Johnstown: Village History, Golf and The Playbarn

Johnstown combines the history of a village with the golf facilities at Palmerstown House Estate and the indoor play offering at The Playbarn. The church graveyard and traces of earlier settlement also give the area a distinctive historical character. When choosing a holiday rental, you can therefore consider whether village history, golf or activities for children should shape your stay.

Village history around the church and graveyard

Johnstown was largely built in the 18th and 19th centuries by the Earl of Mayo, around the remains of a medieval church. The village is thought to have originated between a river crossing at an earlier ford and the site of its old church. This connects the village’s history with two specific landmarks: the former crossing and the church site.

In the church graveyard stands a Celtic-style high-cross gravestone dedicated to the Earl of Mayo. It is dated 1872 and described as the most prominent gravestone in the graveyard. The boundary railings also contribute to its historic character: their iron railings feature unusual arrow motifs and are considered early surviving ironwork. The old graveyard also contains the octagonal base of a medieval baptismal font and a flat stone slab engraved with the coats of arms of the Wogan and Flatsbury families.

At the southern end of the village, a perforated standing stone stands in a field. It has been described as astronomically aligned with the summer solstice. Together with the finds in the graveyard, it illustrates the variety of historical traces in and around Johnstown; interpretations range from medieval remains to a particular interpretation of the standing stone.

Palmerstown House Estate: Gatehouse and Golf

The gatehouse at Palmerstown House dates from around 1850 and is an integral part of the estate. Granite blocks and double-leaf cast-iron gates define its structure. The architecture can be seen alongside the estate’s present-day golfing facilities: the course has 18 holes across a 900-acre parkland setting.

One distinctive feature of the course is an island green at the tenth hole, introduced in 2020. A Trackman driving range with indoor and outdoor bays opened in 2022. So, alongside a round on the 18-hole course, there is a driving range and a distinctive green to explore as different aspects of golf. If you are considering Johnstown for golf, you can factor these details into your stay planning.

Indoor play for children

The Playbarn in Johnstown is an indoor adventure playground for children up to the age of twelve. Its multi-level play and slide area is divided into separate sections for babies, children under five, and children aged five to twelve. This age grouping offers a practical point of reference when planning for children of different ages.

The facilities include a climbing frame, a large Lego area, a football pitch, a penalty shoot-out area and wavy slides. These play areas complement the historical attractions and golf facilities with an indoor activity. If you are looking for a holiday rental for a trip with children, you can consider whether this offering fits your planned outings; no current opening or admission conditions are specified here.

Walking route between Kill and Johnstown

The Johnstown Community Association mapped a walking route along new footpaths between Kill and Johnstown. If you plan to use this route for a walk, check beforehand whether it is currently accessible. The route is another aspect to consider when planning, while the information about the golf course, play facilities and historic sites caters to other interests.

More destinations in County Kildare

The wider destination of County Kildare includes other distinct places with different highlights. In Celbridge, County Kildare, Castletown House is set in 18th-century parkland on the banks of the Liffey. The grounds of Castletown House are open year-round from 07:00 to 22:00; check opening hours before your visit.

At Donadea Forest Park in County Kildare, the Lake Walk is 0.8 kilometres long and takes about 30 minutes; it is accessible to everyone. There are also three permanent orienteering courses: a short one of 1.8 kilometres, a medium one of 3.4 kilometres and a long one of 4.6 kilometres. The Lake Walk’s distance and duration provide a different point of reference from the lengths of the three courses. These destinations broaden the picture of County Kildare without being features of Johnstown.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Clane, Newbridge, Kilmartin, Moyvally, Athy, Leixlip, Prosperous, Monasterevin

For the wider travel overview: County Kildare.