Introduction to Straffan, KE

About four miles southwest of Celbridge, the village of STRAFFAN is home to the diverse attractions of Lodge Park Heritage Centre. Housed in a neat Victorian church (the former Great Southern and Western Railway Church of St Jude) that's been brought stone by stone from Inchicore in Dublin, the Steam Museum (April, May & Sept Sun 2.30–5.30pm; June–Aug Tues–Sun 2–6pm; www.steam-museum.ie; €4) offers a benign view of the driving force behind the Industrial Revolution. There are miniature models of steam trains and four – amazingly quiet – working steam engines, plus a series of wall panels offering a rather rose-tinted account of how steam advanced the way forward to our modern world. They also reflect Ireland's uneven industrialization – in 1838 the North had more steam horsepower than the rest of Ireland put together. In bucolic contrast is Lodge Park's recently restored eighteenth-century walled garden (June & July Tues–Fri & Sun 2–6pm; Aug Tues–Fri 2.30–5.30pm; €4), which encloses such features as a salad parterre, an orchard, topiary and a greenhouse containing an unusual collection of plants from around the world.

A big hit with children is nearby Straffan Butterfly Farm (June–Aug daily noon–5.30pm; €4.50): huge exotic butterflies fly freely, while giant insects, reptiles and tarantulas remain safely behind glass.

Information by Rough Guides

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