There are many queer placenames in Kildare. The chief of these are as follows - Athy or Athí which means the ford of "Hy of the golden Hand". "Hy" was a Connaght Warrier who was killed at that ford. Another place is newbridge which has a new recent bridge built there. Naas or Nás-na-Riog was the place where the kings of Leinster used to live The Curragh means A big plain. Kilgowan or the "church of Gowan" Gowan was a saint who built that church.Matt Smyth