The Wonderful Barn - Leixlip

I didn't realize from the beginning that the access to the barn was on the external stairs, around the conical stone building. It is quite easy to get to the location and there is also a small parking there. Unfortunately, isn’t anywhere any notice about the monument, so, as in my case, you have to guess what was there. The large barn has two smaller replicas, not at all highlighted. The attached buildings are in an advanced stage of degradation. I think more can be done for this Wonderful Barn.

An eccentrically-shaped folly/grain store that is surprisingly pleasant on the eye. This whimsical creation dates to the 1740’s when it was probably built as a famine relief project, similar to the nearby Conolly’s Folly. The building itself is oddly reminiscent of the minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra, or the medieval depictions of the Tower of Babel. The odd shapes and proportions are worth checking out by anyone who has a love for the architecturally odd. However, the adjoining house and farm buildings have been allowed to fall into disrepair and ruin, and the Barn itself is inaccessible. It is a shame that the County Council have allowed this to pass into decay, but as it stands, it is merely a pleasant view and nothing more. Until something is done to repair the grounds, it is a wasted opportunity.

Deadly and interesting piece of Irish history I'd googled the history before taking the drove to go explore it .. Tiny carpark maybe for 3 cars free yes..no facilties, 30minutes walk from the carpark ..cannot go inside its all locked up is a real pity..worth the visit in my opinion ..enjoy find me @kathy.mcpartland_wall on Instagram

Worth taking a look but the ugly security fence makes it difficult to get good photos. Make sure you park outside of the main gate as you can easily get locked in like we did!

You can look at the buildings, once you don 't mind walking past a broken 'No Entry ' gate. You cannot go into them and there is no coffee shop of other attraction onsite. It 's odd it has not been developed as a destination considering it 's so unique