Leixlip, derived from Léim an Bhradáin meaning Salmon Leap, is a town in north-east County Kildare.  It is located at the confluence of the Rivers Liffey and Rye on Kildare's border with Dublin.

In 1755, Arthur Guinness opened his first brewery in the town before moving to St. James' Gate in Dublin 4 years later.  Visitors now have the opportunity to follow in Arthurs' footsteps along the heritage trail, Arthur's Way which takes in Celbridge, the town where he spent his childhood, into Leixlip and on to Oughterard where he is buried.

Accommodation in Leixlip

Things to see and do in Leixlip

• Why not get some fresh air with the many different outdoor pursuits available in Leixlip and nearby such as; Abbeyfield Country Pursuits, fishing on the 3km long Leixlip Reservoir, or golf in the wonderful Palmerstown House
• Stand in awe at the unusual corkscrew shaped building, the Wonderful Barn
• Let the kids run wild at Fort Lucan, an adventure filled outdoor activity centre (Seasonal opening dates).

Places to eat

The Alzheimer Café, Ryevale Nursing Home, Ryevale (Check opening hours beforehand)
Tel: 00 353 89 4933533

da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 624 4908

Rustic Wood Fired Pizza, 5, Barnhall Shopping Centre, Celbridge Rd, Leixlip.
Tel: 00 353 1 615 4444

The Riverbank Restaurant, The Courtyard Hotel, Main Street
Tel: 00 353 1 629 5100

How to get to Leixlip

Find out more about Leixlip here

Straffan is a small village in North County Kildare which was host to the Ryder Cup Golf tournament in 2006. It is a small and picturesque village that is not to be over looked.  The village is situated along with Rivers Morell and Liffey and the famous Liffey Descent race starts in Straffan each year.

Things to see and do in Straffan

• Any visit to Straffan should include a visit to the Lodge Park Walled Garden & Steam Museum to see their six huge nineteenth century Stationary Engines and much more finishing with a relaxing walk around the 18th Century walled garden.
• The world-famous K Club is situated about 1 mile from Straffan village. Even if you are not a golfer, 550 acres of parkland ensure that there is plenty to see for any lover of nature.
• If you would like a bit of retail theraphy, Straffan Antiques and Design have something for everyone from local art to instruments and beautiful designer clothes, and of course a tea shop!

Where to Stay in Straffan

Click here for Accommodation in Straffan

Places to eat

Barton Rooms Restaurant, Barberstown Castle.
Tel: 00 353 1 628 8157

Friels Bar & Restaurant, Straffan
Tel: 00 353 89 447 0342

Tearooms, Straffan Antiques & Design.
Tel: 00 353 1 627 4018

How to get to Straffan

Sallins is a small town in Kildare just a few miles from the larger towns of Naas and Newbridge. The name Sallins is the anglicised name of Na Solláin which means "The Willows".  It is home to a very unusal "Tin Church" which was built in 19824 as a temporary structure, the Helpful Engineer blog has a wonderful informative description of this church.

Things to see and do in Sallins

• Visit Bodenstown Graveyard, the burial place of Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the leaders of the 1798 rebellion
  How to get to Bodenstown Graveyard from Sallins
• Enjoy the canal with a walk to the Leinster Aquaduct where the Grand Canal flows over the River Liffey
• Take a relaxing cruise along the canal with Bargetrip.ie.

Places to eat

Lock 13 Gastro Pub
Tel: 00 353 45 850 500

Two Cooks
Tel: 00 353 45 853 768

How to get to Sallins

Rathangan is a small town on the edge of the Bog of Allen, located about 9 miles from Kildare Town. The town gets its name from the Rath of Iomghain (c. 600AD) which sits just outside the town on the Offaly border. The Rath is approximately 55 metres in diameter, 13 metres from base to summit is encircled by a large ditch which is about 230 meters in circumference. The survival of the Rath illustrates the continuity of human settlement in Rathangan for well over 1000 years. Rathangan has both The Grand Canal and the Slate River running through it and so is a popular town for fishing and walkers alike.

Things to see and do in Rathangan

• Explore the beautiful Killinthomas Woods, home of the BlueBells & Buskers Festival each year in May
• Take a relaxing walk along the bank of the Grand Canal, or for the more energetic, hike the towpath to Monasterevin
• Learn about the Bog of Allen and have a great family day out at Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park and the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

Places to eat

Darchini Restaurant, Bridge Street.
Tel: 00 353 45 528 798

How to get to Rathangan

Newbridge, officially known by its Irish name Droichead Nua, is the largest town in Kildare with a population of almost 30,000.  It is Kildares commercial centre and boasts plenty of great shopping facilities from the glamorus Newbridge Silverware to high street shops such as Penny's and Marks & Spencers.

The town is home to the county Arts Centre, The Riverbank Arts Centre, and the county Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) pitch, St. Conleth's Park on Main Street, a great place to take in hard-fought club matches.

Where to Stay in Newbridge

Click here for Accommodation in Newbridge

Things to see and do in Newbridge

• Visit the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware
• Take in a show, movie or exhibition at the Riverbank Arts Centre
• Spoil yourself at the atmospheric Keadeen Hotel with fabulous leisure facilities and relaxing afternoon tea
• The Liffey Linear Park is the perfect place to end your day in Newbridge with a picnic and an evening stroll along the fast-moving waters.

Places to eat

Judge Roy Beans, Edward Street.
Tel: 00 353 45 438 077

An Chistin Café & Restaurant, George's Street.
Tel: 00 353 45 434 900

Foodhall, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Main Street.
Tel: 00 353 449 0002

How to get to Newbridge

Naas is the administrative and provincial capital of County Kildare. The name, Naas, in Irish Nás-na-Riogh, means "The Place of Assembly of the Kings".  It is a pleasant old town situated along the Grand Canal with a great array of cafés, pubs, hotels and boutiques. St. Mary's Church and St. David's Church are two beautiful historic buildings in the town and well worth a visit.

Where to Stay in Naas

Click here for Accommodation in Naas

Things to see and do in Naas

• Take a stroll along the Grand Canal from the harbour where you can feed the swans or just relax and take in your natural surroundings
• Need an adrenalin rush? Visit Mondello Park, Ireland's only international race circuit, click here for upcoming track days
• Enjoy some afternoon tea and browse the arts & culture centre at McAuley Place
• Visit the Moat Theatre, a local theatre who run great productions and exhibition all year round
• Naas is also close to two racecourses, Naas & Punchestown making it a great place to visit if you are a race-goer.

Places to eat

Vie de Châteaux, Harbour View.
Tel: 00 353 45 888 478

Siblings Cafe, Monread Leisure & Commercial Centre, Block 1 Monread Ave, Monread South, Naas.
Tel: 00 353 45 889 819

Home Café & Restaurant, John's Ln, Naas East, Naas.

Tel: 00 353 45 881 547

Las Rada Wine & Tapas Bar, New Row
Tel: 00 353 45 879 978

How to get to Naas

Find out more about Naas here