I went back around to the other side of the river, back to the castle gates and they were open!

I pulled over and walked closer and closer, taking photos.  And then I heard the dogs.

Dogs at Leixlip Castle

Dogs at Leixlip Castle

I high tailed it back to the car, couldn’t get the keys into the door fast enough to unlock the door. The dogs were on me by the time I got the car open.

When I got the door unlocked, the dogs jumped in, sat in good dog position and waited to go with me. They grinned. Really. Grinned.

So, I called them out of the car, walked up the driveway…. “Good doggies… Good doggies… Sit… Stay…” And they did. They sat. Vibrating with joy. I backed toward the car. “Stay… Stay…” And as soon as I got to the car they raced back and jumped in again.

We did it over and over. I could not get the door shut fast enough. They scrambled in and over me faster than I could shut the door. Sometimes only one dog, with the other standing at the window, wagging his tail madly.

Woman Gardening at Leixlip Castle, Ireland

Woman Gardening at Leixlip Castle, Ireland

A few people came around the castle. Two carrying a ladder. One carrying a basket. The woman carrying the basket called the dogs and scolded them, then came over and apologized to me. I told her it was my fault, I had walked up the driveway to get a photo.

Leixlip Castle

Leixlip Castle

She told me to go ahead! Walk around. Take all the photos I want!

Later, she joined me and asked if I wanted to see inside the castle! I know! Do I? I have been in love with this castle since I first read Irish Houses & Castles by Desmond Guinness. I made sure it was really OK. I didn’t want her to get in any trouble.

Front Hall, Leixlip Castle

Front Hall, Leixlip Castle

So, she showed me around. We couldn’t go upstairs, because there were guests sleeping. But, I got to see in real life the rooms from all the books. And she showed me rooms that weren’t in any of the books.

When she got a phone call, she told me to go ahead and wander around. I took a million photos. Possibly literally a million. They mostly all look alike. And I did not have fresh batteries in the camera, so most of them are tragically blurry.

And then, I noticed my guide’s phone conversation. She was Penelope Cuthbertson Guinness! Desmond Guinness’ wife! I had a tour of Leixlip Castle guided by the Lady of the Castle! I know! Touch me! And I had been worried she might get in trouble for showing me around her own castle!

I have read so much about Leixlip Castle and I took so many photos, I will break the photos up on the next pages.

Next: Leixlip Castle Gate Lodge >