Top Things to do in Province of Leinster
Things to do in Province of Leinster, Province of Leinster: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Province of Leinster, Ireland including Jerpoint Park, 14 Henrietta Street, Trinity College Dublin, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, Kilkenny Castle, Glendalough Monastic Settlement, Russborough House, Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Christ Church Cathedral.
Restaurants in Province of Leinster
1. Jerpoint Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 286 reviews
Welcome to Jerpoint Park, where we strive to immerse you in a unique experience of heritage and culture in a very special destination Thomastown in Kilkenny , south east of Ireland. Unearth the history of Jerpoint Park with a guided tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th century medieval town. When it was founded near a crossing point on the River Nore near the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey. The site also contains the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra) plus the Church of St. Nicholas. "One of Irelands's best examples of a deserted 12th century medieval town" a quote from The Heritage Council of Ireland. Angling on the River Nore for wild salmon & wild brown trout from March - September ( rods & bait available for hire). Sheep dog demonstrations is a wonderful event to see. Tour times daily at 10.30am & 2.30pm from 1st April - 28th Ocbotber 2018.
Reviewed By S1355SKmarieg
A most intriguing and memorable historical tour in the company of Joe, the owner of Belmore, who was a welcoming and entertaining guide to the ancient church, graveyard and lost medieval town on his lands. He explained that the thriving town once boasted houses, inns, water mill, brewery, woollen mill, tannery, holy well, courthouse and even a tolled bridge across the river, but that its real claim to fame was its renown as a site of pilgrimage to the man we know as Santa Claus. The crusading knights who brought the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra to Jerpoint Park some 800 years ago can still be seen in the tomb effigies in the old graveyard which show the saint with his hands raised in prayer, flanked by two crusader heads. Walking the land, it is possible to see where the old streets ran towards the marketplace, with the ruined remains of houses giving a sense of the scale of this once prosperous town. Over time, religious upheavals, plague and war all took their toll, and Jerpoint Park fell into decline. Laying still and silent for hundreds of years, it is now being rediscovered, and recognised for the richness of its history and its yet-to-be-unfolded secrets. I will be following developments as historians and archaeologists study the site, and in the meantime, I promised Santa to be a good girl and spread the word about it!
2. 14 Henrietta Street
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 785 reviews
When you enter 14 Henrietta Street you’ll experience over 300 years of family and city life in the walls of one address. Our intimate guided tours bring you on a journey from the houses grand Georgian beginnings to the tenement dwellings of its later years. By connecting to the personal stories of those who called 14 Henrietta Street home the building’s hidden histories are revealed. See the house, hear its stories and discover the layers of Dublin history within its walls. “It really brought the human side of history alive for us” The building is accessed via a Guided Tour only. Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday : 10.00 - 16.00 We advise booking in advance
Reviewed By ginacH1248DB
Went here with my mum, dad and sister the other week and we were literally blown away. This is a real hidden gem of an attraction (and you will enjoy just as much as an Irish person as you would a tourist) a true way to get a proper taste of Dublin. From the minute we arrived all the staff and reception were beyond nice and our tour guide Gillian was also INCREDIBLE, so informative, passionate about the tour, great fun and really added the extra element. Could not recommend more, thank you all so much
3. Trinity College Dublin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,565 reviews
The building facade of Trinity College is among many constructed since the foundation of the College on March 13th, 1592. The design is attributed to Theodore Jacobsen, a London-based amateur architect, with the collaboration of Henry Keene and John Sanderson.
Reviewed By paulynm2015 - County Dublin, Ireland
Nestled in the centre of Dublin is this seat of learning;home to the Book of Kells and the Long Room library as well as the other libraries that have every book ever published; tread the cobblestones of Front Square and follow the footsteps of celebrated academics, poets, scientists, and famous alumni ; take a stroll over to College Park and watch the cricket, rugby or other sports depending on the season; head over to the Pavilion and have refreshments overlooking the campus; go to visit the Book of Kells and then leave this separate world all the richer as you venture out into the city streets that beckon with a different allure.
4. Saint Patrick's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,110 reviews
A magnificent cathedral that houses Jonathan Swift's remains (he wrote Gulliver's Travels). It is the only remaining cathedral in Ireland with a daily sung services. A small entrance fee is charged for tourists and all money raised goes back to paying for the upkeep of the building.
Reviewed By vijayaraghavans2013 - Chennai (Madras), India
Very large cathedral of the patron saint of Irish Has loads of history and a 'feel' one you step into the cathedral The painted glasses are breathtaking Right off the hop on hop off bus stop and easy to access
5. Guinness Storehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46,716 reviews
Guinness Storehouse, Ireland's No. 1 visitor attraction is a "must see" on any visit to Dublin. Housed in an old fermentation plant in the heart of St James's Gate Brewery, the now seven-storey visitor experience tells the story of Ireland's iconic drink and beings to life the heritage of this world famous beer. Your journey begins standing at the bottom of the world's largest pint glass, which rises through the building. It is a dramatic story that begins over 250 years ago and ends in Gravity(R) Bar, Dublin's highest bar where you will receive a complimentary pint of GUINNESS(R) while enjoying spectacular views over Dublin.
Reviewed By D4091YXalext - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Iconic venue.The storehouse is huge and well presented.It was a cultural, informative experience, well worth a visit.Great views from the Gravity bar, excellent gift shop,highly recommend a visit.
6. Kilkenny Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,363 reviews
Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle
Reviewed By M4474IDtomk
A must see in Kilkenny ....really great experience. Very friendly welcoming staff....who managed visiting during Covid really well. The castle itself is magnificent ...we were on a self guided tour and I would strongly recommend engaging with the staff in the rooms ...very knowledgeable and made our visit a truly memorable one.
7. Glendalough Monastic Settlement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,114 reviews
This historic site, whose Gaelic name translates to “valley of the two lakes,” consists of the 6th-century monastery founded by St. Kevin and the famous round tower, standing 112 feet high with a base measuring 52 feet in circumference. Visitors: There is a car park at the Visitor Centre. It is recommended to see the informational video at the Visitor Centre before starting your explorations.
Reviewed By 296ashleel
We went on September 25th and it was our first stop after arriving in Dublin. It was the perfect way to kick off our Ireland vacation. It takes a little over an hour to get from Dublin airport to Glendalough (slightly more if you are learning to drive on the opposite side!), so you can definitely do this as a day trip from Dublin. There is parking lot and a small visitor center which contain restrooms. The people at the V.C. desk were able to direct us to the walkway. You can walk around the cemetery and ruins. There were smaller pathways that you could take, so we took one that seemed less traveled. Mainly because there was a large group of students on a field trip which were being quite loud (as high schoolers do). The path we took had benches scattered throughout to stop and really immerse yourself in the quiet and beauty of it all.
8. Russborough House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 569 reviews
A beautifully refurnished 18th century mansion housing the world-famous Albert Beit collection of art.
Reviewed By bethd60 - Fairview, United States
Our tour guide, Charles, was informative and more than willing to part with the family secrets as we made our way through this beautiful home filled with the most amazing furniture and art. This is the longest house in Ireland (700 fee of frontage) and given to the people of Ireland by the Beit famiy (heir to a portion of the DeBeer diamond fortune). Be sure tocheck out the interactive displays and 3D film in the basement. BTW we had a decent lunch in the cafe.
9. Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,638 reviews
This bleak old jail was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners.
Reviewed By tomslaughter112 - Zurich, Switzerland
The gaol allows a fascinating glimpse of some of the key events in Irish history, providing an interesting and approachable insight into to the events that took place there during the Easter Rising and Irish Civil War that have shaped the Ireland that we know today. The building is remarkably well preserved and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and are happy to answer and questions. The gaol is by far my favourite place that I visited during my trip to Dublin!
10. Christ Church Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,411 reviews
Christ Church Cathedral is one of Dublin's oldest buildings, a leading visitor attraction and a place of pilgrimage for almost 1,000 years. Famous for its breathtaking beauty, magnificent architectural features and wonderful floor tiles, Christ Church is also popular as a venue and is host to many high profile concerts throughout the year. It is home to the tomb of Strongbow, leader of the Normans, who captured Dublin in 1170. The Medieval Crypt, the largest in Ireland, extends under the entire Cathedral and contains the mummified Cat and Rat, trapped in the organ in the 1860s. Opening Hours: March and October Monday-Saturday: 9.30-18.00 Sunday: 12.30-14.30 /16.30-18.00 April –September Monday-Saturday: 9.30-19.00 Sunday: 12.30 – 14.30 /16.30 – 19.00 November –February Monday-Saturday: 9.30-17.00 Sunday 12.30-14.30 Please note there may be some restricted access due to services and events.
Reviewed By 611chipm - Colorado Springs, United States
Impressive. Imposing. Beautiful. Worth it! Due to time, we chose this one over St. Pat’s. I don’t feel gipped in any way. Beautiful architecture, well laid out descriptions, awesome crypt, beautiful grounds in the heart of the city of Dublin. If you’re there, worth a stop, for sure!
