Leixlip (
/ˈliːkslɪp/ or /ˈliːslɪp/; Irish: Léim an Bhradáin) is a town in north-east County Kildare, Ireland. Its location on the confluence of the River Liffey and the Rye Water has marked it as a frontier town historically: on the border between ancient kingdoms of Leinster and Brega, as an outpost of The Pale, and today on Kildare's border with Dublin.
The placename comes from the Old Norse Lax Hlaup which means "salmon leap". The name in Irish (Léim an Bhradáin) is a direct translation of this, and was first adopted in the 1890s.[2] Today, the spelling Lexlip is sometimes used in English.[3][4][5][6][7]
Leixlip was the site of the famous Battle of Confey, in which the Viking King Sigtrygg Caech of Dublin defeated the Irish King of Leinster around the year 917., The first settlement at Leixlip was an outpost of Early Scandinavian Dublin, built at the furthest point where longships could be rowed up the Liffey. The town was also home to Arthur Guinness's first brewery in 1755, where he brewed ales until he moved on to St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin in 1759, where he first brewed Guinness. The first history of the town was published in 2005.[8]
The population of the town is 15,597.[9] In 2006, it was the fourth largest town in Kildare and the 26th largest in the Republic of Ireland.[10]
| Historical populations |
| Year |
Pop. |
±% |
| 1821 |
1,358 |
— |
| 1831 |
1,149 |
−15.4% |
| 1841 |
1,086 |
−5.5% |
| 1851 |
832 |
−23.4% |
| 1861 |
788 |
−5.3% |
| 1871 |
817 |
+3.7% |
| 1881 |
741 |
−9.3% |
| 1891 |
679 |
−8.4% |
| 1901 |
691 |
+1.8% |
| 1911 |
583 |
−15.6% |
| 1926 |
558 |
−4.3% |
| 1936 |
571 |
+2.3% |
| 1946 |
467 |
−18.2% |
| 1951 |
504 |
+7.9% |
| 1956 |
898 |
+78.2% |
| 1961 |
915 |
+1.9% |
| 1966 |
1,059 |
+15.7% |
| 1971 |
2,402 |
+126.8% |
| 1979 |
7,536 |
+213.7% |
| 1981 |
9,306 |
+23.5% |
| 1986 |
11,938 |
+28.3% |
| 1991 |
13,194 |
+10.5% |
| 1996 |
13,451 |
+1.9% |
| 2002 |
15,143 |
+12.6% |
| 2006 |
14,676 |
−3.1% |
| 2011 |
15,597 |
+6.3% |
| [11][12][13][14][15] |
Since 1988 Leixlip has had a nine member Town Council (formerly Leixlip Town Commissioners), headed by a Cathaoirleach (chairperson), which has control over many local matters, although it is limited in that it is not also a planning authority. Leixlip also elects four councillors to the principal local authority, Kildare County Council, in a combined Local Electoral Area with Maynooth.
In 1990 the town's coat of arms was presented by minister P Flynn.
Dublin Bus provides an extensive service to Leixlip:
The number 66 goes from Maynooth through Leixlip village into Dublin City Centre (and vice versa).
The number 66A goes from Leixlip Confey through Leixlip village into Dublin City Centre (and vice versa).
The number 66B goes from Leixlip HP through Leixlip village into Dublin City Centre (and vice versa).
The number 66X "Xpresso" provides an express bus service from varying parts of the town directly into Dublin city centre in the mornings, and return in the evenings.
The number 66N "Nitelink" provides a late night service on Friday and Saturday night from Dublin city centre to Leixlip, including Captain's Hill.
Leixlip is connected to the Irish railway network on the Dublin – Sligo line, with two stations, Leixlip (Louisa Bridge), opened on 1 September 1848, and Leixlip (Confey), opened on 2 July 1990,[16] located at either end of the town. While InterCity services to Sligo do not serve the town, the Maynooth Commuter service does, the frequency of the trains peaking in the mornings and evenings. Some of these services continue outbound to Mullingar and Longford. Leixlip has the distinction of being the only town in the Republic of Ireland with two operational train stations.
Weston Airport is a publicly licensed airport[17]. Its traffic is primarily private and commercial training.
Leixlip Castle. Built on a rock at the confluence of the River Liffey and the Rye Water, the central part of the castle dates from 1172, just after the Norman Invasion of 1171 and is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited buildings in Ireland, pre-dating Dublin Castle by 30 years. It was used as a hunting base by King John when Lord of Ireland in 1185. It was not of major military importance but withstood a 4-day siege by the army of Edward Bruce in 1316.
Bought by judge Nicholas White in 1567, it remained in his family until 1728, when Leixlip and 809 acres around it including the castle was then bought by William Conolly of nearby Castletown House for £12,000. His family sold it in 1914. Various famous tenants of the Conollys in the castle included Archbishop Stone, the Protestant Primate (1750s), the Viceroy Lord Townshend (1770s), Lord Waterpark, and Baron de Robeck. In the 1920s it was the residence of the first French ambassador to the Irish Free State. In 1945 the castle was sold to William Kavanagh, prior to the purchase in April 1958 by The Hon. Desmond Guinness.
Castletown House & The Wonderful Barn. Located off the main street of nearby Celbridge, Castletown House is the first grand Palladian House in Ireland - the design of the building led to the construction of Leinster House and from thence to the White House in Washington, D.C.. Begun in 1722 by Speaker William Conolly (1662–1729), Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, the lands and the house itself lie in Celbridge, however there is also an entrance from Leixlip, hence there are two modern estates bearing the Castletown name, one in each town. To mark the eastern vista of Castletown a conical shaped building - The Wonderful Barn - was constructed in 1743 with the stairs ascending around the exterior of the building.
A further point of interest is Confey Castle, which the British Publisher and Cartographer Samuel Lewis, mentions in the first volume of his 1837 opus "A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland". In it he comments that Confey's (or Confoy as he spells it) population was 165, had formerly had a town and a castle of some importance, which were noticed by Camden. Of the tower’s remains were a massive five storey structure with turrets at the north and west angles; that at the north angle containing a winding staircase opening through pointed arches into each storey. The principal entrance was under a semicircular archway. In the war of 1688 the castle is said to have been strongly garrisoned, and to have sustained an attack.
Also of note is Leixlip Spa, a spa found by workmen working on the construction of the Royal Canal, which runs through Leixlip.
Leixlip's main attraction in the past was the Salmon Leap, from which the town is named, a 5 metre waterfall on the Liffey just upstream from the then village. This was a popular place for Dubliners wanting a day out in the country, and the Salmon Leap Inn was built to refresh them. A hydroelectric dam was completed in 1945 and its lake flooded the waterfall. The dam generates 4 MW.[18]
Leixlip is divided into two Roman Catholic Church parishes, Leixlip (Our Lady's Nativity) and Confey (St. Charles Borromeo), each with its own parish church. The Church of Ireland parish of St Mary's also has a church in Leixlip, located in Main Street. This medieval church was restyled in the 1750s with Gothic windows, and its belltower clock dates from 1720. People from the St. Mary's parish also have their own identity separate from people in the Confey parish. The Confey parish members are known as 'Hillers' and people from the St Mary's parish are known as 'farenders'. There is the usual local rivalry associated with two different parishes which is particularly evident during sporting events.
As with religion and sport, education in Leixlip is divided by the two Catholic parishes of Leixlip (Our Lady's Nativity) and Confey (St. Charles Borromeo).
The respective schools in the Confey district are Confey Community College (a community school), Scoil San Carlo (Junior), and San Carlo Senior School (both national schools). The community school of Confey College has approximately 600 pupils in total, and similarly to Colaiste Chiarain is mixed gender and non-denominational. The name "San Carlo", while used as the Irish names of the national schools in the St Charles Borromeo parish, is actually the Italian rather than actual Irish translation (which would be "Naomh Cathal").
A modern public library opened in Leixlip in May 2006. It is situated in Confey beside the Town Council Office. It is also near both Scoil San Carlo and Confey Train Station. Among the material library members may borrow from the library include books, DVDs, CDs, computer games and language packs. Leixlip Library hosts a huge variety of events and activities throughout the year. The library also offers free Internet access to library members. Library membership is free to anyone under 18 years of age, while a small membership charge exists for those over 18.[19]
The town is not a major retail centre, but there are three supermarkets - a SuperValu, Eurospar, and Lidl. As well as Eurospar, there are also three Spar convenience stores and a Mace in Leixlip. The Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is a short drive down the N4, and Leixlip is also within easy reach of Dublin city centre's wide variety of shops, as well as the Blanchardstown shopping centre.
The Leixlip Festival (previously known as the Salmon Festival) has taken place every year since 1990 on the June bank holiday weekend. It offers live entertainment in pubs, a number of open-air concerts, and also a street carnival.
Most notably, in 1995 the Festival Committee decided to include 'The Arrival of the Vikings' as a theme for the festival. It was decided to invite Viking Re-Enactment groups from the UK to participate in the weekends festivities in full Viking dress and to stage mock battles.
The committee, in conjunction with FAS who at the time provided resources to organise and stage the festival, decided to build a Viking replica ship which would be burnt in a battle re-enactment on the banks of the Liffey on the festival closing night with a fireworks display. Three members of the organising team, with the aid of two FAS carpenters spent 5–6 weeks constructing the to-scale replica ship at the Wonderful Barn site in Leixlip. For the festival, the boat was transferred to the banks of the Liffey in the centre of Leixlip village, where as planned it was ceremoniously burnt on the Festival Sunday night.
The fireworks display continues to take place on the Sunday night since 1995.
Leixlip Salmon Festival Limited also provides a youth training scheme in association with Foras Áiseanna Saothair. Over the past four years the festival has played host to bands such as The Corona's, Aslan, The Blizzards, The Hot House Flowers, The Republic of Loose, Delorentoes and The Riptide Movement.
Leixlip's leading employer is Intel, who own a complex consisting of Fabs (fabrication plant) 10 & 14 (IFO), 24, and 24-2 of Intel's manufacturing operations. Hewlett-Packard is the other main local employer. Most other employment in Leixlip is in retail and the licence trade (see below for details).
- Ireland international rugby star Trevor Brennan grew up in Leixlip, and played for the local rugby team Barnhall RFC.
- Jack O'Shea (Kerry footballer) played his football with St. Marys, Leixlip.
- David Matthews current Irish Record holder for the 800 meters, grew up in Leixlip and ran for the Leixlip athletic club in his early career.
- David Geraghty solo-artist and Bell X1 member grew up in Leixlip
- Enda Murphy,former Kildare senior captain,has represented Ireland in International Rules
- Arthur Price (archbishop), buried beneath the aisle of St Mary's church, Leixlip
- Emma Byrne, Ireland and Arsenal goalkeeper, grew up in Leixlip and played for Leixlip Utd.
Le Chéile Athletic Club was founded in 1981 to offer the youth of Leixlip, Maynooth and surrounding areas (aged 7 and older) the opportunity to partake, regardless of their ability, in all athletics disciplines at a club, county and national level. Outside of competing, the club offers its members the opportunity to get fit, stay healthy and have a bit of fun! The club trains every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the year at their facility at the Leixlip Amenities Centre, Collinstown, Leixlip
Salmon Leap Canoe Club founded in 1963 is located on the banks of Leixlip Lake. Members of the club have represented Ireland at every Olympic Games from 1972 to 2008. The club is the most successful sprint and marathon club canoe club in Ireland having won the Riba de returds trophy more times than any other club. The club has over 150 active canoeists. One inspiration for the club was the international Liffey Descent canoe race from Straffan to Dublin, which passes through Leixlip and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009.
Leixlip has two Gaelic Athletic Association clubs, Leixlip GAA founded in 1887 and Confey GAA founded recently in 1989. People from the St. Mary's parish also have their own identity separate from people in the Confey parish.
There are also four amateur football clubs, Confey F.C., Leixlip United F.C., Barnhall Rovers and Leixlip Town FC. Confey FC and Leixlip United FC both participate in Dublin District leagues (or in the case of both clubs' senior teams the Leinster Senior Football League). Leixlip Town FC and Barnhall Rovers on the other hand participate in the UCFL Dublin League.
Barnhall Rugby Football Club, a rugby union club, which competes in the All-Ireland League is also located on the outskirts of the town, it is actually in Celbridge and is registered as such with the IRFU. The Le Cheile Athletics Club trains at its grounds based at the Amenities Centre and the members compete in indoor, outdoor track & field events and cross country competition at county,provincial and national level.
Liffey Celtics Basketball Club is the local basketball club for ages girls aged 8–18, boys teams U11 & U12 and boys academy group. There are 8 underage basketball teams competing in the Dublin Area Board League and Cup competition. Training and home matches take place at the Amenities Centre and Confey GAA hall. The club now has a senior women's team competing in the Basketball Ireland National League and in Division 1 Dublin Leagues. Liffey Celtics welcome new members.
Leixlip has been the host to many coarse fishing competitions thanks to the permanently pegged stretch of the Royal Canal. The Leixlip stretch consists of 62 marked pegs and there is also the Confey stretch consisting of sixty pegs. These swims as well as the large fish stocks have created a unique fishery. Conditions are suited to both the pleasure and match angler. The Rye river runs through Carton Demesne and through the Intel Ireland site, the fishing on the river is mainly trout with the occasional salmon.The Leixlip stretch is controlled by the Leixlip and District Angling Association and permits to fish are available from the local Amenity centre.Trout up to 2 lbs are regularly taken, with fish of 1/2 lb to 1 lb being the average.
A sports centre, Leixlip Amenities Centre, is located in the town with various facilities, including a children's playground, sports hall, astro turf football pitches and tennis courts. The centre provides fitness classes such as yoga, spinning classes, Step, Ciruit Training to name but a few.
Leixlip is twinned with the following towns:
- ^ CSO Census 2011 - Population by Electoral Division
- ^ Placenames Database of Ireland (see archival records)
- ^ http://www.independent.ie/national-news/builders-guilty-of-defrauding-taxman-242591.html
- ^ http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/newsmaker-of-the-week-292913.html
- ^ http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Irelands-World-Cup-Lunch-Break/Article/200206210446092?lid=ARTICLE_10446092_Ireland's%20World%20Cup%20Lunch%20Break&lpos=searchresults
- ^ http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/green-energy-comes-out-on-top-of-innovation-awards-288563.html
- ^ http://www.irishfarmersmarkets.ie/corporate/intel.html
- ^ John Colgan, "Leixlip, County Kildare" (2005) ISBN 978-0-9507489-1-7
- ^ CSO Census 2011 - Population by Electoral Division
- ^ Census 2006 - Table 14A - Towns 10,000 population and over
- ^ Census for post 1821 figures.
- ^ http://www.histpop.org
- ^ http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census
- ^ Lee, JJ (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". In Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A.. Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
- ^ Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November 1984). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700-1850". The Economic History Review 37 (4): 473–488. DOI:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract.
- ^ "Leixlip Confey station". Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
- ^ http://www.iaa.ie/safe_reg/iaip/Published%20Files/AIP%20Files/AD/EI_AD_2_EIWT_EN.pdf
- ^ http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/liffey-stations.jsp
- ^ http://www.kildare.ie/library
- ^ http://www.stevecummins.com/interviews/lily-allen-whats-up-tiger-lily
- ^ "Niles Sister Cities". Official website. The Village of Niles. 2010. http://www.vniles.com/Content/templates/?a=149. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- Kildare County Development Plan 2005-2011, Retail Section (pdf file)
- Treasury Holdings press releases for Collinstown site
- U2Tours.com - Details of U2's Leixlip Castle performance
Leixlip 
