Leinster House Palace

Address: Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/visit-us/

Hours: Mon-Fri (visits usually by appointment)

Admission: Free (public tours available by arrangement)

Leinster House is a mid-18th-century classical mansion on Kildare Street in Dublin that has served as the seat of the Irish parliament (the Oireachtas) since the early 20th century. It is the working centre for both houses of parliament and numerous government offices.

Key interiors include the debating chamber of the lower house (Dáil Éireann) and the upper house (Seanad Éireann), along with committee rooms and offices used for legislative and administrative functions. Parts of the complex are open on guided tours when parliament is not sitting.

Originally built as a ducal townhouse in the 18th century, the building and adjacent additions were repurposed for state use after Irish independence and have been modified to accommodate parliamentary functions. The complex has grown by acquisition and internal adaptation rather than by wholesale reconstruction.

Leinster House sits on Kildare Street near central Dublin institutions such as the National Museum and Trinity College, and is within easy walking distance of central city landmarks.

• Visitor access: Sudden public closures can occur when the parliament is sitting, but guided visits are available on non-sitting days; check ahead for visitor hours.

What to See#

• Dáil chamber: The chamber of Dáil Éireann within the building is the principal debating chamber of the lower house of the Oireachtas where government business is conducted. Tours and occasional public access are organised by the parliamentary services.
• Seanad chamber and offices: The complex also contains the chamber for Seanad Éireann and several parliamentary offices and committee rooms used for legislative work.

Leinster House faces Kildare Street in central Dublin beside St Stephen’s Green. It is an easy walk from central landmarks - about 5-10 minutes on foot from St Stephen’s Green or from Trinity College - and is served by multiple Dublin Bus routes along Kildare Street and nearby Nassau Street.

If arriving from the main railway stations (Heuston or Connolly) take a short taxi or a connecting bus into the city centre and walk the remainder; the site is in Dublin’s compact centre so walking is often the quickest option.

• Check the Oireachtas (Parliament) website in advance for guided-tour times or public gallery access - tours are scheduled and the availability changes with the parliamentary calendar.
• Time your visit for when the Dáil or Seanad is sitting if you want to watch proceedings from the public galleries (security checks and ID may be required), otherwise choose a quieter midday slot between sessions.
• Combine a short visit to Leinster House with a walk across to St Stephen's Green to avoid concentrate on just one attraction and to escape peak tour-group times around the entrance.