Leinster House

Had lunch in here Friday. For starters I had chicken pâté, lunch I had salmon with potatoes and veg, dessert I had profiteroles. We did a tour then with a bunch of 6^th class students from Wexford, which was great as they asked all the questions. The tour was very interesting. We had a drink in the bar. Very cosy.
Sorry no pics though, as we weren’t allowed to take any inside.

Most Irish people will probably know Leinster House from the backdrop of all the important news headlines. This is where the important decisions are made, because it houses the Houses of the Oireachtas– the two houses of the Parliament. Truthfully, unless you’re mad into Politics you probably won’t be interested in anything that’s happening here but the tour is still worth it. It’s not like a lot of exciting things happen here on a regular basis, but having been inside the Parliament building should still be part of a city tour. And yes, I am very interested in Politics…

The former «ducal palace» of the Duke of Leinster, many more buildings have been added since he first swanned around the grounds in 1747.
Today, the complex is the seat of the two Houses of the Oireachtas, Dáil Éireann (the House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate).
This is where decisions are made, the country’s future is shaped, where expense reports are padded. «Being carried from the airport to the city by eight comely maidens bearing a velvet armchair? That seems pretty standard, John.»
You can take the Leinster House tour and see what goes on behind closed doors and if House is in session, you can even get to sit in the Public Gallery and watch. To do it, contact your local TD, I’d say they’ll be only delighted.