WELCOME
The four star Court Yard Hotel, steeped in history, is built on the original site where Arthur Guinness created his brewing empire and situated in the colourful heritage town of Leixlip, Co. Kildare. A region blessed with some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery, the hotel has been meticulously restored and refurbished offering old world charm, beautiful original stone work with contemporary design.
The Court Yard Hotel has long been appreciated for its romantic and picturesque setting. The property combines a stunning location, contemporary accommodation, unique atmosphere and sumptuous dining to create the perfect getaway in Kildare.
A warm Irish welcome awaits you... feel at home with a uniquely refreshing and personal experience. The Court Yard Hotel truly is Kildare’s best kept secret.
For business or pleasure, culture or leisure, we have an abundance of amenities and attractions on our doorstep to please every visitor – in a relaxed environment, just a stone’s throw from the capital.
HISTORY
1752
When Archbishop Price died in 1752 he left one hundred pounds, quite a sum then, to his servant, Richard Guinness and a similar amount to Richard's son, Arthur, who was then aged 27.
1756
In 1756, when Arthur was 31, he established a brewery on Main Street, Leixlip. The lease for the property dates from 13th September 1756 and this original lease for the site is displayed beside the main reception in the hotel with the signature of Arthur Guinness clearly visible at the bottom of the lease.
1759
Three years later, Arthur then aged 34 left his younger brother, Richard, in charge of the Leixlip Brewery and bought an existing, but run down brewery at St. James Gate in Dublin. It was there he established the world-famous company. The start of the Guinness business is always taken as being 1759, the date of this move. He lived on the Gate premises for a while and brewed all types of beer including dark beer known as porter’s ale or porter. The colour was obtained by including in the mash, with the ordinary pale malt, a proportion of malt.
1803
Arthur died in 1803, aged 78, and was buried at Oughterard Cemetery near Kill, a mere 20-minute drive from the Court Yard Hotel. It is also the resting place of his wife, Olivia, who bore him 21 children following their marriage in 1761.
1958
The Guinness family link with Leixlip was re-ignited in 1958, when the Hon. Desmond Guinness, then aged 27, the same age as Arthur when he got his inheritance, bought Leixlip Castle. He did reside in the Catstle with his wife Penny till his death in 2020. The Castle is only 5 minute walk from the hotel and occasionally open to public.
2005
With the approval of late Hon. Desmond Guinness, the hotel opened its doors in June 2005 and once again Guinness was back where it all began with a very modern version of Arthurs porter now begin sold in Arthurs Bar. At the Official Launch of the hotel on the 8th of November 2005, the late Hon Desmond Guinness unveiled a plaque that states the hotel is on the original site of Guinness. This plaque is displayed in the main reception of the hotel.
2015
In December 2015, now addition the the Court Yard Hotel, the Front Bar has been opend.
2021
Our Restaurant has been renovated and rebranded as SteakHouse 1756
