Leinster is Ireland's eastern province, home to the capital Dublin and encompassing 12 counties stretching from the rolling Wicklow Mountains to the ancient passage tombs of the Boyne Valley. It blends vibrant urban culture with prehistoric monuments, medieval castles, and some of Ireland's most dramatic coastal and mountain scenery.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Leinster.
-
1
Newgrange Passage Tomb
This engineered mound at Brú na Bóinne predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, built around 3200 BC by Neolithic farmers to house cremated remains and mark the solar year. Access is only by guided tour, gathering visitors at the Donore visitor centre before a bus takes you to the monument itself. Inside, a narrow stone passage opens into a corbelled chamber where guides recreate the winter solstice light effect with an artificial beam.
-
2
Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
Ireland's oldest university, founded in 1592, whose cobbled squares sit in the middle of Dublin's shopping streets. The main draw is the Old Library's Long Room, a barrel-vaulted hall of dark oak shelving that has become one of the most photographed interiors in Ireland, paired with the illuminated medieval manuscript itself displayed under glass beforehand. The queue and exhibition space feel very different from the hushed Long Room that follows.
-
3
Glendalough Monastic Site
A sixth-century monastic settlement founded by St Kevin, set between two lakes in a glaciated Wicklow valley. The round tower and ruined cathedral cluster near the entrance, while a lakeside path continues past the Upper Lake to quieter ruins and trailheads into the surrounding hills. Because the monastic core is free and unfenced, it works as either a short historical stop or the start of a longer walk.
-
4
Kilkenny Castle
A Norman stronghold rebuilt and remodelled over centuries by the Butler family, who occupied it until the 20th century, giving its interiors a Victorian country-house character rather than a medieval one. The state rooms and the long picture gallery with its painted timber ceiling are the highlight of the guided route through the building. Its grounds run down toward the River Nore and are open and free to walk even without a castle ticket.
-
5
Powerscourt Estate & Gardens
A grand Palladian estate in the Wicklow hills, its terraced formal gardens laid out in the 19th century with statuary, a walled garden, and views toward the Sugar Loaf mountain. The waterfall, at over 120 metres one of Ireland's tallest, sits on a separate section of the estate a short drive away and requires its own ticket and entrance. The house itself was gutted by fire in 1974 and is not part of the visit — only the ground-floor shops and café occupy it now.
-
6
Phoenix Park
-
7
Kilmainham Gaol
A former prison on Dublin's western edge, now most associated with the imprisonment and execution of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders in its stonebreakers' yard. The Victorian east wing, with its galleried landings and glass roof, is instantly recognisable from films shot there, while the older wings show the harsher conditions of 19th-century incarceration. Entry is by guided tour only, walking through the cells and yards with a guide explaining the building's role in Irish independence.
-
8
Hill of Tara
An open hilltop in the Boyne Valley traditionally regarded as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, marked today by grass-covered earthworks rather than standing buildings. The Mound of the Hostages, a small Neolithic passage tomb, predates the site's later royal associations by well over a thousand years. Because there's little built structure, the visit is really about walking the earthworks with the seasonal visitor centre's exhibition providing the context for what you're looking at.
-
9
Trim Castle
This is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, built from the 1170s by Hugh de Lacy on the south bank of the River Boyne. Its 20-sided keep was designed to eliminate blind spots for defenders, and the castle later served as backdrop for the film Braveheart. The grounds sit across the river from Trim town, with the ruined walls and gatehouses still tracing the original defensive circuit.
-
10
Hook Lighthouse
Hook Lighthouse claims to be among the oldest operational lighthouses in the world, with a medieval tower built by monks and Norman lords to guide ships around Hook Head into Waterford Harbour. The current structure dates largely from the 13th century, with walls several metres thick at the base. It still functions as a working aid to navigation for shipping using the harbour.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Items
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Items
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to visit Leinster's top attractions?
Dublin's top attractions are walkable or served by public transport. Newgrange, Glendalough, and Wicklow Mountains are best reached by car or organised day-tour departing Dublin. Wild Wicklow Tours (wildwicklowtours.ie, +353 1 280 1899) runs daily tours to Glendalough from €35/person (~USD 38).
Is the Book of Kells worth the admission fee?
Yes. The illuminated manuscript dates to c. 800 AD and is one of the finest examples of medieval art in the world. Adult tickets cost €18 (~USD 20); book at tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells to skip the queue.
What is the OPW Heritage Card?
The Office of Public Works Heritage Card (€40 adult / €90 family, ~USD 44/98) provides unlimited entry for one year to 90+ state-managed heritage sites including Newgrange, Trim Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, and Rock of Cashel. Available at opw.ie or at participating sites.