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family · Monday 20 July 2026 · 10:00am 
Maynooth University Summer Open Days - Family Visits
At Maynooth University · Maynooth, Co. Kildare
At Maynooth University · Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Maynooth University throws open its doors each summer for a day that works equally well as a practical planning visit for CAO-year students and as a genuinely enjoyable outing for families who have never set foot on an Irish university campus. The historic grounds alone are worth the trip - think nineteenth-century limestone quadrangles sitting alongside modern teaching and research buildings across a large, walkable campus. Entry is free, the atmosphere is relaxed, and you leave with a much clearer picture of what third-level life actually looks like.
The summer open day runs on a drop-in basis from 10am. Guided tours take in both the older South Campus - with its fine Victorian-era buildings and formal lawns - and the modern North Campus facilities, covering the library, lecture theatres, labs, and student social spaces. Student ambassadors lead the tours, which gives younger visitors a realistic sense of day-to-day life rather than a polished sales pitch.
Inside the TSI Building you will find information stands staffed by academic departments and student support teams - useful if a teenager in tow is narrowing down subject choices. There are 50+ short sessions across the day on degree programmes, financial supports, and campus life. Families are free to roam independently as well; self-guided walking maps are available on arrival.
Campus cafes and restaurants are open throughout, which matters on a full morning out. The whole visit typically takes around 90 minutes if you follow a guided tour, longer if you explore at your own pace.
Maynooth is about 25 km west of Dublin city centre and very well connected. Irish Rail runs regular services on the Maynooth/M3 Parkway commuter line from Dublin Connolly and Pearse stations, with the journey taking roughly 35-45 minutes; Maynooth station is a short walk from the main campus entrance. Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus routes also serve the town from the city. By car, the M4 motorway is the most direct route west from Dublin; take the Maynooth exit and follow signs for the university. Free parking is available in all designated campus car parks on open day dates.
The town sits alongside the Royal Canal and is home to Maynooth Castle, a medieval ruin with free entry managed by the OPW - worth a short detour before or after the campus visit. There is more to see in Maynooth and across Co. Kildare.
Heading to Maynooth University in Maynooth? Kildare has plenty more to see. Read the Maynooth area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.