Leixlip#Name

The placename comes from the Old Norse lax hlaup (Younger Futhark: ᛚᛅᚼᛋ ᚼᛚᛅᚢᛒ; {{IPA|non|laks l̥ɔup|pron}}) which means "salmon leap". The name in the Irish language (Léim an Bhradáin) is a direct translation of this, and was first adopted in the 1890s.[http://www.logainm.ie/25406.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland] (see archival records) In Latin, it is Saltus salmonis, from which comes the names of the baronies of North Salt and South Salt.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pqp388ZPFsgC&q=Saltus+salmonis&pg=PA404 |title=The Record Interpreter: A Collection of Abbreviations, Latin Words and Names Used in English Historical Manuscripts and Records |date=22 September 2011 |publisher=Genealogical Publishing Com |isbn=9780806302362 |via=Google Books}}

Leixlip was a possible site of the 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. Its status as an outpost of Dublin continued for centuries, marking a border of The Pale.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

The town was home to Arthur Guinness's first brewery in 1756, where he brewed ales until he moved on to St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin in 1759.{{Cite news |title=Diageo names Leixlip as site of new Guinness brewery |language=en-US |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/diageo-names-leixlip-as-site-of-new-guinness-brewery-1.937685 |access-date=2017-09-13}}

The first history of the town was published in 2005.{{Cite book|title=Leixlip, County Kildare|isbn=978-0950748917 |last1=Colgan |first1=John |date=4 February 2024 |publisher=Tyrconnell Press }}

{{Historical populations

| state=collapsed

|1821|1358

|1831|1149

|1841|1086

|1851|832

|1861|788

|1871|817

|1881|741

|1891|679

|1901|691

|1911|583

|1926|558

|1936|571

|1946|467

|1951|504

|1956|898

|1961|915

|1966|1059

|1971|2402

|1979|7536

|1981|9306

|1986|11938

|1991|13194

|1996|13451

|2002|15143

|2006|14676

|2011|15452

|2016|15504

|2022|16773

| footnote={{Cite web |title=Server Error 404 – CSO – Central Statistics Office |url=http://www.cso.ie/census |website=cso.ie}}{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.histpop.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |archive-date=7 May 2016 |access-date=25 February 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency - Census Home Page |url=http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census/ |archive-date=17 February 2012 |access-date=2013-12-15}}{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=JJ |title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell |publisher=Clarendon Press |year=1981 |editor-last=Goldstrom |editor-first=J. M. |location=Oxford, England |chapter=On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses |author-link=J. J. Lee (historian)|editor-last2=Clarkson |editor-first2=L. A.}}{{Cite journal |last1=Mokyr |first1=Joel |author-link=Joel Mokyr |last2=Ó Gráda |first2=Cormac |author-link2=Cormac Ó Gráda |date=November 1984 |title=New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850 |url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract |url-status=dead |journal=The Economic History Review |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=473–488 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract |archive-date=2012-12-04 |hdl-access=free |hdl=10197/1406}}

}}

Leixlip is part of the Kildare North constituency, which elects four members to Dáil Éireann.

Leixlip, with Celbridge, comprises the Celbridge-Leixlip electoral area, which elects seven members to Kildare County Council. Two of those members are based in Leixlip.{{Cite web |title=Members Details Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District |url=http://kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/corporateservices/CorporateServices/MembersServices/Councillors/CouncillorsCelbridge-LeixlipMunicipalDistrict/index.html |access-date=18 April 2020 |website=kildare.ie |publisher=Kildare County Council}}

Between 1988 and 2014 Leixlip had a nine-member Town Council (formerly Leixlip Town Commissioners), headed by a Cathaoirleach (chairperson). In 1990, the town's coat of arms was presented by minister Pádraig Flynn. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 abolished town councils, including Leixlip's, in 2014.

Dublin Bus, and JJ Kavanagh and Sons, provide bus service. Dublin Bus run the spinal city bound C3 service, along with the non spinal city bound 52. Additionally, Leixlip is served at peak time by the X25, X31 and X32. Dublin Bus also provide the local L54, L58 and L59 bus services, which link Leixlip's housing estates together and also provide links to Celbridge and Clondalkin. JJ Kavanagh provide the regional 139 service, which links Leixlip with Naas and Blanchardstown.

Leixlip is connected to the Irish railway network on the Dublin-Sligo railway line, running from Dublin Connolly to Sligo, with two stations, Leixlip (Louisa Bridge), opened on 1 September 1848, and Leixlip (Confey), opened on 2 July 1990,{{Cite web |title=Leixlip Confey station |url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |access-date=5 September 2007 |website=Railscot – Irish Railways}} located at either end of the town. While InterCity services to Sligo do not serve the town, the Maynooth/Longford Commuter services do, 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.{{Cite web |title=Travel & Station Information |url=http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_stations_list.jsp?letter=L |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109024005/http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/find-a-station |archive-date=9 January 2016}}

File:Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland.jpg

Weston Airport is a publicly licensed airport.{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.iaa.ie/safe_reg/iaip/Published%20Files/AIP%20Files/AD/EI_AD_2_EIWT_EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724062138/http://www.iaa.ie/safe_reg/iaip/Published%20Files/AIP%20Files/AD/EI_AD_2_EIWT_en.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2011 |access-date=2012-04-27}} Its traffic is primarily private and commercial training. Dublin Airport is 20 minutes away from Leixlip via the M50 motorway.

{{More citations needed section|date=July 2019}}

Built on a rock at the confluence of the River Liffey and the Rye Water, the central part of the castle dates from 1172,{{Cite web |title=Leixlip Castle, Leixlip Demesne |url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11804045/leixlip-castle-leixlip-demesne-leixlip-co-kildare |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=buildingsofireland.ie |publisher=National Inventory of Architectural Heritage}} 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.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} It was not of major military importance but withstood a 4-day siege by the army of Edward Bruce in 1316.

Leixlip and 809 acres around it (excluding the castle) were bought by William Conolly of nearby Castletown House for approximately £12,000 in 1728. The castle was bought by Conolly's nephew and heir, William James Conolly, in 1731.{{Cite book |last=Patrick Walsh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v-T2asJnJAAC |title=The Making of the Irish Protestant Ascendancy: The Life of William Conolly, 1662-1729 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84383-584-4 |pages=65 & 75}} 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 (who drowned at the Salmon Leap).{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} In the 1920s it was the residence of the first French ambassador to the Irish Free State.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} In 1945 the castle was sold to William Kavanagh,{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} prior to the purchase in 1958 by The Hon. Desmond Guinness.{{Cite news |last=Hann |first=Christopher |date=26 November 2008 |title=A 50-Year Battle to Save Old Ireland |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/garden/27irish.html |access-date=18 April 2020}} The castle features in the 1825 Gothic short story Leixlip Castle by Charles Maturin.Adams, Constance Louisa. Castles of Ireland: Some Fortress Histories and Legends. E. Stock, 1904. p.278

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.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Begun in 1722 for Speaker William Conolly (1662–1729), Speaker of the Irish House of Commons,{{Cite web |title=Architectural History |url=http://castletown.ie/architectural-history/ |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=castletown.ie}} the lands and the house itself lie in Celbridge, however, there is also an entrance from Leixlip, hence there are two modern housing 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.{{Cite web |title=Wonderful Barn originally Barn Hall, Barnhall, County Kildare |url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11901102/wonderful-barn-originally-barn-hall-barnhall-county-kildare |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=buildingsofireland.ie |publisher=National Inventory of Architectural Heritage}}

St. Catherine's Priory was acquired by judge Nicholas White.{{Cite book |last=Francis Elrington Ball |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqeSXWqKAD8C |title=The Judges in Ireland, 1221-1921 |publisher=The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. |year=1926 |isbn=978-1-58477-428-0 |page=214}}

File:Leixlip Spa.jpg

British publisher and cartographer Samuel Lewis mentions Confey Castle in the first volume of his 1837 work 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.{{Cite book |last=Samuel Lewis |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_3MQ_AAAAcAAJ |title=A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland |publisher=S. Lewis & Co. |year=1837 |volume=1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_3MQ_AAAAcAAJ/page/n397 391]}}

Leixlip Spa was found in 1793 by workmen working on the construction of the Royal Canal, which runs through Leixlip.{{Cite web |last=Hynes |first=Siobhan |date=2003 |title=The Royal Canal at Leixlip and the Leixlip Spa |url=http://iwn.iwai.ie/v30i4/kildare.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426191138/http://iwn.iwai.ie/v30i4/kildare.PDF |archive-date=26 April 2005 |publisher=Inland Waterways News}}

Salmon Leap is a 5-metre waterfall on the Liffey just upstream from the then village. A hydroelectric dam was completed in 1945,{{Cite web |title=Leixlip & Guinness: The Brewing Legend Begins! |url=https://intokildare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Arthurs-Way-Leixlip-Guinness.pdf |access-date=18 April 2020 |website=intokildare.ie |publisher=Leixlip Town Council}} and its lake flooded the waterfall. The dam generates 4 Megawatts.{{Cite web |title=Liffey Stations – Power Stations – About ESB – Electricity Supply Board |url=http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/liffey-stations.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514032423/http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/liffey-stations.jsp |archive-date=14 May 2012 |access-date=2012-04-18}}

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 Our Lady's Nativity 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 Our Lady's Nativity parish are known as 'Farenders'.

As with religion and sports, education in Leixlip is divided by the two Catholic parishes of Leixlip (Our Lady's Nativity) and Confey (St. Charles Borromeo).{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

The respective schools in the Confey district are Confey Community College (a community school), Scoil San Carlo (Junior), and Scoil San Carlo Senior School (both national schools). The community school of Confey College has approximately 750 pupils in total,{{Cite web |title=Confey College, Leixlip |url=http://kildarewicklow.etb.ie/schoolsandcolleges/second-level-schools-colleges-2/confey-college-leixlip/ |website=kildarewicklow.etb.ie |publisher=Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board}} and similarly to Coláiste Chiaráin 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").

Leixlip also has one of the few Primary Montessori Schools in Ireland, Weston Primary Montessori School. Established in 2016 by the parents and teachers of the former Glebe School, this school provides Montessori education to children from 3–12 years and is located on the grounds of Barnhall Rugby Club.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.westonpm.com/ |access-date=24 March 2020 |website=westonpm.com}}

A public library opened in Leixlip in May 2006. It is situated in Confey, near both Scoil San Carlo and Confey Train Station. Leixlip Library hosts a variety of events and activities as well as free Internet access to library members.{{Cite web |title=Kildare Library and Arts Service – Home Page |url=http://www.kildare.ie/library |website=kildare.ie}}

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, street carnival and fireworks display.

Leixlip Salmon Festival Limited also provides a youth training scheme in association with FÁS.

The festival has played host to bands such as The Coronas,{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Aslan in 2011,{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=22nd Leixlip Festival |url=http://www.leixlipfestival.com/brochures/Leixlip%20Festival%202011_web.pdf |access-date=26 April 2020 |website=leixlipfestival.com}} The Blizzards in 2017,{{Cite news |last=Peppard |first=Sarah |date=3 June 2017 |title=What's on: Leixlip Festival, Saturday 3 June |work=Leinster Leader |url=https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/whats-on/253195/what-s-on-leixlip-festival-saturday-june-3.html |access-date=26 April 2020}}{{subscription required}} The Hothouse Flowers,{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Republic of Loose,{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Delorentos in 2015{{Cite news |date=21 May 2015 |title=The Riptide Movement for Court Yard headliner in Leixlip |work=Hot Press |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-riptide-movement-for-court-yard-headliner-in-leixlip-14071217 |access-date=26 April 2020}} and The Riptide Movement in 2011, 2015 and 2019.{{Cite tweet |number=1131613262422790144 |user=riptidemovement |title=June gigs |author=The Riptide Movement |author-link=The Riptide Movement |date=23 May 2019 |access-date=26 April 2020}} Solo artists have also performed including Damien Dempsey and Niall Breslin.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

Local Leixlip employers include Intel, who own a complex consisting of Fabs (fabrication plant) 10 & 14 (IFO), 24, and 24-2 of Intel's manufacturing operations. Hewlett Packard Enterprise was also a local employer, from 1995 until the closure of the facility in 2017.{{Cite news |date=8 February 2017 |title=As HP shuts its Leixlip print plant, we look back at its 20 years in Kildare |work=TheJournal.ie |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/hp-leixlip-2-3229297-Feb2017/ |access-date=16 April 2020}}

• Lily Allen, English recording artist, actress and fashion designer lived in Leixlip as a child and attended school there.{{Cite web |date=9 July 2011 |title=Lily Allen: What's Up Tiger Lily? |url=http://www.stevecummins.com/interviews/lily-allen-whats-up-tiger-lily |publisher=stevecummins.com |quote="He lives in Dunboyne, but I lived in Leixlip for about a year and a half," she explains. "My mom was doing a film in Ireland called Hear My Song. I was really young, like six or seven at the time. Weirdly enough, he was in the same school as me in Leixlip [...]"}}
• Trevor Brennan, Irish international rugby player{{Cite web |date=16 October 2012 |title=Trevor Brennan to make his homecoming on RTÉ tonight |url=https://www.the42.ie/trevor-brennan-the-gathering-637813-Oct2012/ |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=The42.ie}}
• Emma Byrne, Republic of Ireland women's national football team and Arsenal goalkeeper{{Cite web |date=22 January 2017 |title=Leixlip woman Emma Byrne has found a new club after ending 17-year stint with Arsenal |url=https://www.kildarenow.com/sport/leixlip-woman-emma-byrne-found-new-club-ending-17-year-stint-arsenal/141198 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112224745/https://www.kildarenow.com/sport/leixlip-woman-emma-byrne-found-new-club-ending-17-year-stint-arsenal/141198 |archive-date=12 November 2018 |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Kildare Now}}
• Jake Carroll, professional footballer, attended secondary school at Confey College in Leixlip.{{Cite web |title=Boys International – Jake Carroll |url=http://www.fais.ie/international/1/boys-international/profile/148/jake-carroll |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224010357/http://www.fais.ie/international/1/boys-international/profile/148/jake-carroll |archive-date=24 February 2015 |publisher=FAI Schools}}
• Nathan Collins, Premier League and Republic of Ireland professional footballer{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/the-nathan-collins-interview-i-play-football-for-a-living-but-im-still-just-a-lad-from-leixlip/a1768521522.html|title=The Nathan Collins interview: ‘I play football for a living but I’m still just a lad from Leixlip’|date=25 December 2024|website=www.independent.ie}}
• Thomas Conolly, MP of both the British House of Commons (1759–1780) and the Irish House of Commons (1761–1800), was born in Leixlip{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
• David Geraghty, musician and member of Bell X1{{Cite news |date=7 October 2009 |title=Going solo on the side |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2.681/going-solo-on-the-side-1.752412 |access-date=12 November 2018}}
• Matt Goff, soldier during the Irish War of Independence and full-back for Kildare in six All-Ireland finals{{Cite web |date=November 2007 |title=Matt Goff – Legend of Leixlip and Kildare |url=http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2007/11/matt_goff_legend_of_leixlip_an.asp |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Kildare County Library}}
• Steven Gray, former professional footballer in the League of Ireland and in Australia.
• Arthur Guinness, co-owner with his brother Richard of the brewery business in Leixlip. Richard lived on the town's Main Street, and was the landlord of the Salmon Leap Inn.{{Cite web |title=Leixlip History: Leixlip Around 1798 Archives |url=http://www.kildare.ie/leixliphistory/archives/leixlip_around_1798/ |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Kildare County Library}}
• Roy Keane, former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain lived in the Riverforest housing estate in Leixlip aged 18.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/roy-keanes-cobh-ramblers-career-press-cuttings-stats-215689|title=Roy Keane's Cobh Ramblers Career In Contemporary Press Cuttings And Stats|first=Conor|last=Neville|date=7 December 2016|website=Balls.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccer-ireland.com/saipan/roy-keane/away-from-home.htm|title=Roy Keane : Being away from home : Cork|date=22 December 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://keepitonthedeck.com/blog/2019/7/23/persistent-road-to-greatness-the-roy-keane-story|title=91 of 92 Clubs Missed Out - The Roy Keane Story|date=23 July 2019|website=Keepitonthedeck}}
• Senan Kelly, professional boxer{{Cite web|url=https://www.irish-boxing.com/star-on-the-rise-senan-kelly-plots-declan-geraghty-downfall/|title=Star on the Rise Senan Kelly Plots Declan Geraghty Downfall|date=11 April 2025}}
• Ana Kriégel, schoolgirl murdered in May 2018; the murderers were the youngest people convicted of murder in Ireland.{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Conor |date=18 June 2019 |title=Ana Kriégel murder trial: The complete story |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/ana-kri%C3%A9gel-murder-trial-the-complete-story-1.3929570 |access-date=5 July 2019}}
• John Martin, former League of Ireland footballer and coach.
• David Matthews, athlete and holder of the Irish 800 metres record{{Cite news |date=17 September 2011 |title=Matthews' timely advice for future footballers |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/matthews-timely-advice-for-future-footballers-1.602424 |access-date=12 November 2018}}
• Catherine Murphy, politician, member of Dáil Éireann and co-leader/co-founder of the Social Democrats{{Cite web |title=About Catherine |url=http://79.170.44.204/catherinemurphy.ie/?page_id=758 |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=catherinemurphy.ie}}
• Enda Murphy, former Kildare Gaelic football captain, and has represented Ireland in the International Rules Series{{Cite web |date=19 July 2017 |title=Interview: Enda Murphy |url=https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/sport/259916/interview-enda-murphy-the-backbone-of-kildare-s-backroom-team.html |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Leinster Leader}}
• Gerard Nash, former professional footballer with Ipswich Town and coach/manager of several sides in England, Sweden and Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Jamie |date=13 September 2014 |title=Ger Nash – From Player to Coach |url=http://www.belvederefc.com/club-news/ger-nash-from-player-to-coach.1585.html |website=Belvedere F.C.}}
• Clíona Ní Chiosáin, actress, television presenter, and teacher, known as the star of TG4's Aifric who attended Scoil Chearbhaill Uí Dhálaigh (primary school).{{Cite web |date=January 2010 |title=Agallamh Beo Clíona Ní Chíosáin |trans-title=Beo Interview |url=http://www.beo.ie/alt-cliona-ni-chiosain.aspx |access-date=28 April 2015 |website=beo.ie |language=Irish}}
• Andrew Omobamidele, Premier League and Republic of Ireland professional footballer, grew up in Leixlip and played for Leixlip United originally.{{Cite news |last=Fennessy |first=Paul |date=1 May 2019 |title=The Irishman who dreams of emulating Virgil van Dijk |work=The42.ie |url=https://www.the42.ie/the-irishman-who-dreams-of-emulating-virgil-van-dijk-4613591-May2019/}}
• Jack O'Shea, Kerry Gaelic footballer, lives in the town and played for Leixlip GAA{{Cite web |date=31 August 2016 |title=Jack O'Shea – King of the Kingdom |url=https://www.irelandsown.ie/jack-oshea-king-of-the-kingdom/ |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Irelands Own}}
• Arthur Price, Archbishop of Cashel, and benefactor of Guinness is buried beneath the aisle of St Mary's Church, Leixlip{{Cite web |title=St Mary's Graveyard, Main Street, Leixlip |url=http://www.kildare.ie/leixliphistory/archives/2005/11/welcome_to_our_website.html |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Kildare.ie}}
• Eoin Rheinisch, three time Olympian slalom canoeist{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportireland.ie/news/eoin-rheinisch-three-time-olympian-retires|title=Eoin Rheinisch Three Time Olympian Retires | Sport Ireland|website=www.sportireland.ie}}
• Olamide Shodipo, professional footballer{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Nathan |date=4 May 2019 |title=Ireland under-21 star rewarded with new QPR contract after injury hell |url=https://extra.ie/2019/05/04/sport/soccernews/ireland-under-21-qpr-contract |website=Extra.ie}}
• Eoghan Stokes, professional footballer{{Cite web |date=2 March 2018 |title=Stokes happy to be back in Ireland away from 'fake football' across the water |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/stokes-happy-to-be-back-in-ireland-away-from-fake-football-across-the-water-36663691.html |access-date=12 November 2018 |publisher=Independent News & Media}}
• David McCarthy, Irish sprinter and 4 × 400 metres relay medalist at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships{{Cite web|url=https://www.fm104.ie/news/sport/team-ireland-secure-two-national-4x400m-records/|title=Team Ireland Secure Two National 4x400m Records|website=FM104}}

Le Chéile Athletic Club was founded in 2003, and trains at their facility at the Leixlip Amenities Centre.{{Cite web |title=History and who we are |url=http://lecheileac.com/wp/about-us/history/ |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=lecheileac.com |publisher=Le Chéile Athletic Club}}

Salmon Leap Canoe Club, founded in 1961, is located on the banks of Leixlip Lake.{{Cite web |title=The Club |url=http://www.salmonleapcanoeclub.com/the-club/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |website=salmonleapcanoeclub.com |publisher=Salmon Leap Canoe Club}} The club won the Ribadesella trophy in 2017.{{Cite web |title=2017 Ranking Series Results |url=https://canoemarathonireland.com/2017-ranking-series-results/ |access-date=26 April 2020 |website=canoemarathonireland.com |date=21 December 2017 |publisher=Canoe Marathon Ireland}}

Leixlip has two Gaelic Athletic Association clubs: Leixlip GAA, founded in 1887, and Confey GAA, founded in 1989.

There are three amateur football clubs: Confey F.C., St. Catherine's Park; Leixlip United F.C., Leixlip Amenities Centre; Liffeybank F.C., St. Catherine's Park.

Confey F.C. play in the Leinster Senior League (men) and the Amateur League (over 35's). Leixlip United F.C. participate in Leinster Senior League (men), Amateur League (over 35's), Leinster Football League (men Under 20), Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League (boys & girls), Eastern Women's Football League (women), Metropolitan Girls League (girls).

Liffeybank F.C. (called Leixlip Town 1995–2017) participate in the Athletic Union League (men), Eastern Women's Football League (women), Metropolitan Girls League (girls) and the North Dublin Football League (boys).{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Barnhall Rugby Football Club, a rugby union club, which competes in the All-Ireland League, is located on the outskirts of the town in Parsonstown.

Liffey Celtics Basketball Club is a local basketball club. The club's underage basketball teams compete in the Dublin Area Board League and Cup competitions.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} Training and home matches take place at the Leixlip Amenities Centre, Confey GAA hall, and Colaiste Cois Life (Lucan). The club also has a senior women's team competing in the Basketball Ireland Superleague and has won two National Cups, in 2019 and 2025.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Leixlip has been host to coarse fishing competitions, using a 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. The Leixlip stretch of the Rye River is controlled by the Leixlip and District Angling Association.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

There are golfing facilities at Elm Hall Golf Club on the Loughlinstown Road and two 18 hole pitch and putt courses in the area.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

{{Main|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Ireland}}

Leixlip is twinned with the following towns:

• {{flagicon|FRA}} Bressuire, France{{Cite web |title=Les villes jumelées |url=https://www.ville-bressuire.fr/index.php/loisirs-et-animations/jumelages/les-villes-jumelees |access-date=12 February 2021 |website=ville-bressuire.fr |language=fr}}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Niles, Illinois, United States{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=Niles Sister Cities |url=http://www.vniles.com/Content/templates/?a=149 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322065455/http://www.vniles.com/Content/templates/?a=149 |archive-date=22 March 2009 |access-date=4 January 2010 |website=Official website |publisher=The Village of Niles}}

• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kildare)
• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Leixlip Louisa Bridge railway station
• Leixlip Confey railway station
• Guinness family
• Liffey Champion, local newspaper

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.leixlip.ie Town Homepage]

{{Geographic Location

| Centre = Leixlip

| North = Clonee

| Northeast = Clonsilla

| East = Lucan

| Southeast = Weston Airport

| South = Hazelhatch

| Southwest = Celbridge

| West = Maynooth

| Northwest = Dunboyne

| image =

}}

{{County Kildare}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns and villages in County Kildare

Category:Civil parishes of Newcastle, County Dublin