Discover the best of Ireland's eastern province with our comprehensive guide to things to do in Leinster.
Bryan Collins
20 May 2025
— 7 min read
Your Guide to The Best of LeinsterI’ve spent years exploring every country in Leinster. I built this guide to help you skip the tourist traps and get straight to the good stuff: hidden gems, underrated food spots, scenic walks, and family-friendly day trips.
Whether you’ve lived here or moved into a county, you’ll find something new inside. Use it to plan smarter weekends, show visitors around like a pro, or just get inspired for things to do..
📍 LOCAL SECRETS GUIDE: 25+ HIDDEN GEMSDUBLIN & SURROUNDS
Marsh's LibraryMarsh's Library - St. Patrick's Close, Dublin 8. Ireland's oldest public library (1707) with original oak bookcases and "reading cages" where readers were locked to prevent book theft.
The Cake Café - Pleasants Place, Dublin 8. Tucked down an alleyway, this charming café serves exceptional cakes and brunch in a garden setting.
Dalkey Island Walk - Take the tiny boat from Coliemore Harbour to explore this uninhabited island with Martello tower and stunning views. While you’re in Dakley, vist the Castle!
Cliff Walk from Greystones to Bray - 6km coastal path with spectacular views. Start in Greystones for lunch at The Happy Pear afterward, run by famous Irish twins De and Steve.
WICKLOWVictor's Way Indian Sculpture Park - Roundwood. An adults-only meditation garden with unusual sculptures. Open limited days, April- September.
Dwyer-McAllister Cottage - Site of a famous 1798 rebellion standoff, this restored period cottage is off the tourist track in the Glen of Imaal.
Hunter's Hotel - Ireland's oldest coaching inn (dating to 1650s) near Rathnew. Tea in the garden is a must in summer.
Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens - Less visited than the National Botanic Gardens but home to an extraordinary collection of rare trees and plants.
Want more? Check out our guide of things to do in Wicklow.
KILDARE
Castletown HouseIrish National Stud & Gardens - Tully. World-famous thoroughbred horse breeding facility with stunning Japanese and St. Fiachra's Gardens.
Kildare Village - Nurney Road. Premium outlet shopping destination with over 100 boutiques offering designer brands at reduced prices.
Newbridge Silverware - Newbridge. Iconic silverware factory with museum, showrooms and the Museum of Style Icons featuring celebrity collections.
The Grand Canal along the Naas Historic TrailNaas Historic Trail - Walk around the Grand Canal. Stops include the Old Railway Station and the Lattin Almshouse.
Castletown House - Celbridge. Ireland's largest Palladian mansion with beautiful parklands and riverside walks and one of the countries tourist attractions. Be warned: access is limited due to an ongoing dispute.
Lullymore Heritage Park - Rathangan. Peatland paradise with woodland walks, biodiversity boardwalks and interactive exhibitions.
The Curragh - Kildare. Historic racecourse and training grounds hosting classic horse races throughout the racing season.
KILKENNYThe Watergarden - Thomastown. A hidden Japanese-style garden center with a café serving homemade treats.
Dunmore Ce - Stunning limestone formations and site of a Viking massacre. Less crowded than more famous Irish ces.
Woodstock Gardens - Inistioge. Restored Victorian gardens with an arboretum, terraced garden, and magnificent views of the Nore Valley.
MEATH & LOUTHLoughcrew Cairns - Neolithic burial grounds older than Newgrange but without the crowds. Climb to the top for panoramic views.
Sonairte Eco Centre - Laytown. Organic gardens, nature trails, and a lovely café in a restored old mill.
Francis Ledwidge Museum - Slane. Birthplace of the famous WWI poet, preserved as he left it.
Riverside walk in Trim - Follow the Boyne past medieval ruins, with significantly fewer tourists than Trim Castle itself.
WEXFORD & CARLOW
Wells House and GardensWells House Woodland Walks – Fairy trails and beautiful forest walks on a historic estate.
The Ren Nature Reserve - Ancient woodland and dunes system with marked walking trails and rare wildlife.
Delta Sensory Gardens - Carlow. 16 interconnected garden spaces designed to stimulate all five senses.
Altamont Gardens - Often called the most romantic garden in Ireland, with spectacular snowdrops in February.
Hook Peninsula Coastal Drive - Hidden beaches, medieval churches, and the oldest working lighthouse in the world.
WESTMEATH & OFFALY
Belvedere HouseBelvedere House Walled Garden - Less visited than the main house, this restored Victorian garden is peaceful even in high season. Sometimes home to big music festivals!
Kilbeggan Distillery Experience - The oldest licensed pot still distillery in the world with less tourist traffic than Jameson or Tullamore
Lough Boora Discovery Park - Transformed bogland with magnificent sculptures, wildlife, and cycling trails.
🎟️ SEASONAL EVENTS CALENDARSPRING (March-May)Tradfest Temple Bar - Dublin (Late January/Early February)St. Patrick's Festival - Countywide (March 13-17)Kildare Japanese Gardens Cherry Blossom Festival - Kildare (April)International Literature Festival Dublin - Dublin (May)Carlow Arts Festival - Carlow (June)Bloom in the Park - Phoenix Park, Dublin (June Bank Holiday)SUMMER (June-August)Taste of Dublin - Dublin (June)Body & Soul Festival - Westmeath (June)Kilkenny Arts Festival - Kilkenny (August)Electric Picnic - Laois (September)Dublin Horse Show - RDS, Dublin (August)Puck Fair - Kerry (August 10-12)Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - Location varies annually (August)AUTUMN (September-November)Dublin Fringe Festival - Dublin (September)Dublin Theatre Festival - Dublin (September-October)Sour Kilkenny Food Festival - Kilkenny (October Bank Holiday)Wexford Festival Opera - Wexford (October-November)Púca Festival - Meath (Halloween)Bram Stoker Festival - Dublin (Halloween Weekend)WINTER (December-February)Winterval - Waterford (November-December)Christmas Markets - Various locations (December)New Year's Festival - Dublin (December 31-January 1)TradFest - Dublin (January)Dublin International Film Festival - Dublin (February-March)Snowdrop Month - Altamont Gardens, Carlow (February)🍽️ DINING CHEAT SHEETDUBLINBest Pizza: PI, South Great George's StreetBest Family Friendly: The Woollen Mills, Lower Ormond QuayBest Vegetarian: Cornucopia, Wicklow StreetBest Value Fine Dining: Chapter One Lunch, Parnell SquareBest International: Pickle (Indian), Camden StreetBest Seafood: Fish Shop, Queen StreetWICKLOWBest Family Friendly: The Wicklow Heather, LaraghBest Pub Food: The Hollywood Inn, HollywoodBest Café: The Strawberry Tree, Brooklodge HotelBest Pizza: Platform Pizza, BrayBest Fine Dining: The Wicklow Escape, DonardBest Sunday Lunch: Hunter's Hotel, RathnewBest Al Fresco: The Happy Pear, GreystonesKILKENNYBest Overall: Campagne (Michelin-starred), Gas House LaneBest Pub Food: Kyteler's Inn, St. Kieran's StreetBest Brunch: Cakeface Patisserie, IrishtownBest Pizza: La Rivista, Parliament StreetBest Family Friendly: Zuni, Patrick StreetBest Café: The Blackberry Café, ThomastownBest International: Ristorante Rinuccini (Italian), The ParadeBest Hidden Gem: Truffles Restaurant & Wine Bar, William StreetMEATHBest Family Friendly: The Vanilla Pod, KellsBest Fine Dining: Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House, SlaneBest Pub Food: The Glyde Inn, AnnagassanBest Sunday Lunch: The Conyngham Arms, SlaneBest Value: The Central, NanBest Café: Trim Castle Hotel, TrimBest Pizza: The Stockhouse, TrimWEXFORD & CARLOWBest Seafood: Wild and Native, RosslareBest Fine Dining: Aldridge Lodge, DuncannonBest Family Friendly: Riverbank Restaurant, Wexford TownBest International: La Côte (French), Wexford TownBest Pizza: The Duck, GoreyBest Sunday Lunch: Step House Hotel, Borris, CarlowWESTMEATH & OFFALYBest Overall: The Fatted Calf, AthloneBest Family Friendly: Dead Centre Brewing, AthloneBest Café: Beans and Lees, MullingarBest Pub Food: Sean's Bar, AthloneBest International: Kin Khao Thai, AthloneBest Sunday Lunch: The Villager, GlassonBest Fine Dining: Thyme Restaurant, AthloneBest Hidden Gem: The Pantry Café, Tullamore🧭 KID-FRIENDLY DAY TRIPSUNDER 5s
Newbridge Farm - Donabate, Co. Dublin. Meet farm animals, playground, and tractor rides.Ardgillan Castle Playground - Balbriggan. Massive playground with castle views and wheelchair-accessible equipment.Wells House & Gardens - Wexford. Fairy trails, woodland adventures, and a playground.Kia Ora Mini Farm - Gorey. Small animal encounters perfect for tiny hands and short attention spans.AGE 5-10
Fort LucanFort Lucan Outdoor Adventureland - Dublin. Extensive playground with obstacle courses and water features.
Emerald Park - Meath. Theme park with milder rides suitable for this age group.
Lullymore Heritage Park - Kildare. Nature trails, indoor museum and play center for rainy days.
Castlecomer Discovery Park - Kilkenny. Tree-top walks, woodland trails, and boats on the lake.
Irish National Heritage Park - Wexford. Recreated historical settlements spanning 9000 years.
AGE 10+Viking Splash Tours - Dublin. Amphibious vehicle tour with lots of audience participation.
Zipit Forest Adventures - Various locations. Tree-top ziplines and high-rope courses.
Clara Bog Boardwalk - Offaly. Educational wilderness experience with unique plant species.
Loughcrew Adventure Centre - Meath. Climbing walls, ziplines, archery, and more for teens.
Epic Museum & CHQ Building - Dublin. Interactive emigration museum that keeps older kids engaged.
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS WITH ALL-AGE APPEALDublin Zoo - Phoenix Park, Dublin. Excellent family facilities and viewing areas for all ages.
Causey Farm - Meath. Seasonal events including Easter, Halloween, and Christmas experiences.
The Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens - Kildare. Horse lovers' paradise with beautiful gardens.
Powerscourt Estate - Wicklow. Gardens, waterfall, and excellent playground.
Birr Castle Gardens & Science Centre - Offaly. Historic telescopes, treehouse playground, and formal gardens.
RAINY DAY RESCUES
The National Museum of IrelandAquazone at the National Aquatic Centre - Dublin. Water slides and pools for all ages.
Chocolate Garden of Ireland - Carlow. Chocolate-making workshops and ice cream factory tours.
Jump Zone - Various locations. Trampoline parks with designated toddler sessions.
National Museum of Ireland - Natural History - Dublin. The beloved "Dead Zoo" fascinates kids of all ages.
Art & Craft Workshops at Russborough House - Wicklow. Regular family activities in this historic house.
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