Leopardstown

Leopardstown (Irish: Baile na Lobhar, meaning "Town of the Lepers") is a district in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown county, Ireland, located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. A residential suburb in the east of the greater Dublin area, it is divided by the course of the M50 motorway, and adjoins the neighbouring areas of Sandyford, Stepaside, Ballyogan, Foxrock and Stillorgan. Leprosy was common in Dublin in medieval times and in the 14th Century a leper hospital was built near St Stephen's Green. It was later moved out to the Dublin mountains - the area where it was sited became known as Leopardstown.

Places of interest

Places of interest in Leopardstown include Glencairn House (the residence of the British Ambassador to Ireland), Leopardstown Park Hospital, and Burton Hall, childhood home of Hollywood actress Kathleen Ryan.

Sports

The area is home to the famous Leopardstown Racecourse, second most important racecourse in Ireland after the Curragh, as well as the Kilmacud Crokes' Hurling pitch at Silverpark.