Location: Leixlip
Top Things to do in Leixlip
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What to do and see in Leixlip, Ireland: The Best Places and Tips
Leixlip (/ˈliːkslɪp/ or /ˈliːslɪp/; Irish: Léim an Bhradáin) is a town in north-east County Kildare, Ireland. Its location on the confluence of the River Liffey and the Rye Water has marked it as a frontier town historically: on the border between the ancient kingdoms of Leinster and Brega, as an outpost of The Pale, and today on Kildare's border with Dublin.
Restaurants in Leixlip
1. Wonderful Barn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By TripswithKidz - Ireland
As we had been visiting Castle Town House nearby we thought we'd venture over to see this landmark also. We couldn't get it on the sat nav in the car so we followed Google maps, but still couldn't locate it. While driving around (following google maps) we did not see one sign for it anywhere in Leixlip. We ended up driving into a rugby pitch off a roundabout (which was very close to the barn) but the couple of people we stopped to ask for directions didn't know how to get to it. As it turns out, there is absolutely nothing at the entrance to indicate that the Wonderful Barn is down a little road that is barricaded and accessible only to walkers or cyclists. We found out after that anyone with an allotment can gain access with their car. It's extremely disappointing that this landmark is not signposted; if it is we did not see one sign and thus is something the town needs to look into.
The Wonderful Barn is a lovely structure--but that's it; there are no facilities in the area (no shop, cafe, toilet, etc). You won't gain access to the building either, and there are no information signs posted giving you info about the barn, pity how some things are so neglected by the State.
2. Fort Lucan Outdoor Adventureland
Overall Ratings
4 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By nm14
Great place, large outdoor playground with water slides. It's small but practical and the kids loved it. Good value for money
3. Burren Perfumery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 432 reviews
Free Admission. Open daily all year. Working factory. Free Film. Gardens. Shop. The Burren Perfumery is located in the heart of the Burren in County Clare and is Ireland's longest-established perfume house. Since opening its doors 43 years ago, the Perfumery has drawn inspiration from the flora and beauty of the Burren landscape to create its signature scents, which are hand-blended and bottled on the Perfumery's premises. Today, the Burren Perfumery creates its artisan range, which includes hand-crafted soaps, certified organic creams and candles, using the very best natural and organic ingredients sourced from all around the world. Visitors are welcome to come along and experience the Burren Perfumery first-hand. A busy working factory, visitors are welcome free-of-charge and all-year-round to check out its home and hub in Carron, County Clare. Open from 9am to 7pm in the Summer and from 10am to 5pm in the Winter, visitors can observe the Perfumery team members as they go about their daily work in the Manufacturing Workshops and browse the Perfumery's products and offerings in its Gift Shop. For visitors interested in gaining some insight into just how special and spectacular the Burren's natural offerings are, a beautiful, locally-shot short film (free of charge) featuring the unique local flora and landscape of the Burren truly sets the scene. The Perfumery's Tea Rooms, which are open Summer-long, offer an opportunity to relax and unwind over a selection of freshly baked organic cakes, garden soups, tea, herbal teas and coffee, while visitors can also meander through and enjoy the Perfumery's organic show Garden.
Reviewed By Lara B - Elizabethtown, Kentucky
The trip to the Burren Perfumery is very scenic in itself, as it is situated off a winding road. You will be glad you went, for the the quaint tea room with picnic style tables and cheery decor offers a delicious stop before shopping for lotions or perfumes. Enjoy the flowers and peaceful surroundings before going in to either the tea room or shop. We had the vegetable soup. It was quite good, and we enjoyed the brown bread and cream butter that accompanied it. The tea room is child-friendly and the hostesses were very nice. The perfumery has some lovely scents. Frond is heavenly. Enjoy a little stop and shop in the beautiful Burren region. You may not be back that way for a while, and it is worth the time to get there.
4. Kilmainham Gaol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
This bleak old jail was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners.
Reviewed By Phillip O
I’m not really a fan of such tours, and tend to find them somewhat dull. However, the staff at this venue are super friendly and helpful, and the tour guides honestly care about the history of the Gaol, and the city in general. You’ll leave humbled. And you’ll be glad for it.
5. Liffey Valley Shopping Centre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 181 reviews
Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is located just off the M50 (exit 7 M4 towards Sligo). It's a great location for a pitstop between Dublin and the West of Ireland. A great choice of cafes, restaurants & fast food, plus a large M&S food store. For shopping, it's one of Ireland's premier shopping centres and for those staying in the city it is easily reached by bus with Routes 13 & 40 also serving other great tourist spots like Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse, MOMA, Kilmainham & Phoenix Park. For those looking for a girls weekend of shopping and fun, it is served by Flybus straight from the Airport and has a Clarion Hotel located across the road.
Reviewed By Cazziii
Not the biggest shopping center, very similar shops to you would normally find in the UK. However, this is lovely and clean and very good customer service including lots of great restaurants. If you are going to a restaurant though, make sure you book in advance or you may be turned down!
6. Celtic Rider
Overall Ratings
5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By MegsR1024 - Ramsey, New Jersey
There aren't enough words to tell everyone how wonderful Paul and everyone at Celtic Rider and how amazing the experience was, but I'll try! My boyfriend and I booked the 7 day tour on a R1200 GS. I was the pillion, and as a relatively new rider, I was a little nervous about how the trip would go for me. I can tell you that it was better than anything I could have imagined. Paul's orientation is both informative and hilarious, and he put me immediately at ease. He comes along at the start of your ride to make sure you're comfortable - pointing out road signs and hazards along the way. The lodgings that they chose for use were perfect, with each one close to town so you could easily walk down for dinner and of course a pint or two or three at the pub. The routes chosen each day showed us such spectacular scenery and I love that they marked favorite places to stop along each route. The weather was very wet and windy the first few days (it is Ireland afterall) but then everything cleared out and the views were even more beautiful.
We definitely want to go back and book another tour. I mean, come on. Ireland on a motorcycle? Is there any other way to see the country??? You will not be sorry if you book a trip with Paul and Celtic Rider. You will feel like family and be very sorry to see your trip come to an end.
7. Rye River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Vincent D
This is one of Ireland's greatest pieces of engineering. An aquaduct 100'-0" (30.5m.) high above the Rye River.
It was built by navvies with shovels and wheelbarrows. Work was commenced in 1791, but the following winter part was washed away. It took until 1796 to complete the great work. The final cost was £27,000.
It was suggested at the time that the route of the canal was diverted to avoid the Carton estate. If it had run through part of the estate a much smaller aquaduct would have sufficed.
The aquaduct was expanded and doubled in width as a viaduct when the railway was constructed in the 19th c.
8. Julia's Day Spa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Shopaholic731 - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
3rd time visiting Julia's Day Spa and as usual it was fabulous. The massage was brilliant, particularly the back massage and they wrap you up and keep you so cosy. Nice relaxing music, and staff are very professional and friendly. The facial was so nice and they incorporate a facial massage and shoulder massage into the facial with really delicate touch to relax you even further after your massage. On one visit I dozed off while mask was on. Such good value for money, can't wait to return.
With the current offer of full body massage, facial and choice of head massage/candling I would recommend the head massage over the candling.
9. Lucan Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Quality Approved Golf Course | Approved to Fáilte Ireland standards, which means the services and facilities have been independently checked out before you tee-off. This elegant parkland course, situated only 20 minutes from Dublin city centre, provides a challenge for the keen golfer. The fourth hole, par three is notable in that the shot crosses the main road. The course is in a beautiful setting just outside the city
Reviewed By Tony M - Wicklow, Ireland
A superb golf course in pristine condition, I am a well travelled golfer and this course ranks among the best,greens were a feature,like carpets, fast but very fair,we enjoyed the course, the food and the hospitality of the staff.We were even entertained by the greenkeepers partner (karaoke) at the 19th.
10. Leixlip Castle
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By permia - Ireland
Open to the public for visiting at selected periods of the year, it is well worth spending a few hours in the fabulous grounds and castle.
Built in the early 1170s soon after the Normans' arrival in Ireland, it has had numerous owners. It is now in the ownership and the residence of the Honourable Desmond Guinness who purchased it in 1958, the same year he founded the Irish Georgian Society, which has done so much tremendous work in safeguarding and preserving Ireland's built heritage.
It presents a wonderful facade against the azure sky, as was the case on the day of our visit. The tour is excellent. The guide gave an engaging account of the history of the castle, the numerous items of furniture, art works and the social life within down the years.
Outstanding amongst the art works are lovely drawings of the six Mitford sisters, who were famous for their lifestyles, while some of them also attracted considerable controversy for their political leanings and beliefs.
The tapestries on view are fabulous. The intricate needlework is wonderful. Doll's houses also feature and their extent and superb craftsmanship are delightful. The rooms contain grand fireplaces rich in ornamentation and large decorative stoves also feature.
Walking around the extensive grounds was lovely in the bright Sunshine. We saw the fine walled vegetable garden and also the temple plus the Grecian themed sculpture in gleaming white.
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