LEIXLIP

In 1868, the parish of Leixlip contained the following places:

"LEIXLIP, a parish, post and market town, in the baronies of Newcastle and North Salt, county Kildare and county Dublin, province of Leinster, Ireland, 10 miles W. of Dublin. It is a station on the Midland Great Western railway. The parish is 2 miles long, and about the same broad. The surface consists of a good soil, and is bounded on the S. by the river Liffey, and the Royal canal traces the northern border. The Rye joins the Liffey at the town, near which is a waterfall or salmon-leap. An aqueduct carries the canal across the Rye. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Dublin, value with others, £527, in the patronage of the archbishop. The church stands in the town, likewise a Roman Catholic chapel united to that of Maynooth. There are two day schools. Leixlip House is among the seats. Leixlip Castle occupies a prominent site on the banks of the Liffey near the town. It was formerly the seat of the Whites, from whom it was purchased by the Right Hon. William Conolly. It was built by Adam Fitz-Henford, and was some time the residence of King John, while Earl of Mortaigne. It is now the residence of the Hon. George Cavendish. A spa here was formerly much celebrated, and attracted great numbers of visitors. The town is seated at the confluence of the Liffey and Rye, on the road from Dublin to Athlone. It consists chiefly of one street, and contains a police station. A three-arched bridge spans the river. There are rolling and flour mills in the vicinity. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on 4th May and 9th October."

"WEST TOWN, a hamlet in the parish of Leixlip, counties Dublin and Kildare, Ireland, 10 miles W. of Dublin, at the confluence of the river Rye with the Liffey, near the Salmon Leap."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018