Leixlip: River Walks and Guinness History

Leixlip between the Liffey, Rye and Royal Canal

Leixlip lies at the confluence of the Rivers Liffey and Rye, on the border between County Kildare and Dublin. The town overlooks the River Liffey in the northeast of County Kildare. Waterways and paths along the Royal Canal are as much a part of the townscape as its history with Arthur Guinness.

Leixlip Louisa Bridge railway station is in Leixlip. If you are planning a train journey, check the latest information on services and connections. This will help you plan your trip and choose a hotel that suits your stay.

Canal paths and the town centre

The Rye Walk runs between Louisa Bridge and the Ryewater Aqueduct along the Royal Canal towpath. It is a scenic, historic walking route in Leixlip and part of the Leixlip Heritage Trail. Its features include Leixlip Waterfall and the remains of Leixlip Spa, dating from the 1790s. As access conditions may change, check them before setting out.

The Leixlip Heritage Trail is two kilometres long, is located in the town centre and has six stops. It is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The Leixlip Tree Trail offers another point of reference: it starts at Old Hill and has eight stops. For planning purposes, the details are therefore clearly distinct: the Heritage Trail has a stated length and number of stops, while the Tree Trail has a stated starting point and number of stops.

Guinness history and Leixlip Castle

Arthur Guinness founded his first brewery in Leixlip in 1756. This historic connection stands alongside Leixlip Castle, a Norman fortress in the centre of town. The castle has been owned by the Guinness family since 1958.

Leixlip is also the starting point of Arthur’s Way. The route is 16 kilometres long and follows Arthur Guinness’s life from his birth to his death. If you are interested in his biography, this route offers a dedicated thematic perspective; the founding of his first brewery in Leixlip provides a specific historical connection.

More to explore in the wider destination of County Kildare

The wider destination of County Kildare also has its own cultural and natural attractions. In Celbridge, County Kildare, Castletown House is set in an 18th-century parkland on the banks of the Liffey. The house holds a significant collection of paintings, furnishings and art objects. Another highlight is the Japanese Gardens at the Irish National Stud, where garden history and design come together: they were laid out between 1906 and 1910, designed by the Japanese garden designer Tassa Eida and his son Minoru.

For walks in County Kildare, the Lake Walk in Donadea Forest Park offers a specific comparison of time and distance: it is 0.8 kilometres long, takes about 30 minutes and is accessible to everyone. The park also has 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.

Discover more destinations: Droichead Nua, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare, Narraghmore, Celbridge, Maynooth, Monasterevin, Athy

Back to the wider travel guide: County Kildare.