Leixlip, Historic town with Norman castle in County Kildare, Ireland
Leixlip is a town in County Kildare situated where the River Rye Water meets the Liffey, extending across both riverbanks. The settlement combines residential neighborhoods with commercial zones shaped by the river landscape.
Vikings founded the first settlement in the 9th century and named it after the leaping of salmon in the water. This name and the strategic riverside location shaped the place's development across the centuries.
The Court Yard Hotel occupies the site where Arthur Guinness began brewing beer before his enterprise became world-famous. The location recalls a time when small craft operations took root in this riverside town.
Two railway stations, Louisa Bridge and Confey, connect the town to Dublin and Sligo with regular train services. The riverside location on both banks means different neighborhoods are accessible via several bridges.
The name comes from Old Norse and literally means the leaping or jumping of salmon. This linguistic heritage from Viking times is preserved directly in the place name, something rare in most European towns.
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