Discover Johnstown

Johnstown in County Kildare combines a village shaped by history with specific attractions for a range of interests. Around the old churchyard, local and architectural history take centre stage; Palmerstown House Estate complements this with golf and a gate lodge dating from around 1850. There is also The Playbarn, an indoor adventure playground for children up to the age of twelve.

Churchyard and local history

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 somewhere between a river crossing at a former ford and the site of its old church. This places the presumed early settlement and the village’s later development in different historical contexts.

Johnstown churchyard contains a Celtic-style high-cross gravestone dedicated to the Earl of Mayo, regarded as the churchyard’s most striking gravestone. It is dated 1872. The enclosure has iron railings with unusual arrow motifs, considered to be early surviving examples of ironwork. The old churchyard 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 is said to be astronomically aligned with the summer solstice. This adds another distinct historical interpretation to the architectural and churchyard-related evidence.

Gate lodge and golf at Palmerstown House Estate

The gate lodge at Palmerstown House is an integral part of the estate and dates from around 1850. It is built of granite blocks and has double-leaf cast-iron gates. The stone blocks and wrought-iron gate give the building distinct architectural features.

The golf course at Palmerstown House Estate is an 18-hole course set in 900 acres of parkland. An island green was introduced at the tenth hole in 2020. These details describe different aspects: the number of holes indicates the course format, the 900 acres refers to the size of the parkland, and the island green is a feature of the tenth hole. A Trackman driving range with indoor and outdoor hitting bays opened in 2022.

The Playbarn 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. The listed play options include a climbing frame, a large Lego area, a football pitch, a penalty shoot-out area and wavy slides. If you’re planning a visit to The Playbarn, check the current opening times and admission conditions before you go.

Discover more destinations: Narraghmore, Leixlip, Moyvally, Kilcullen, Kildare, Straffan, Maynooth, Ballitore

For the broader travel overview: County Kildare.