The Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Garden — Attraction in The Municipal District of Clane — Maynooth

This is an amazing place when you consider its story, how the museum came about, to house a young man’s engine collection. This young man bought a derelict rundown church from Inchicore in Dublin, which had its own story. The Church moved to Straffan and the museum began, adding lovely additions year on year. The smell of the oil and the hum of the engines on steam up days is Heaven and so enchanting. Each engine has its own history from the Magdalene Laundry huge washing machine and the fire beside it which was kept burning to heat it working. Robert Guinnes the owner also transported the workshop of Ron Jarvis and recreated it. Such was Robert’s attention to detail even including the pencil parings. Directly in front of the workshop you will see examples of Ron’s work in a purpose built carriage. Everything there has a little story. The Lodge Park Walled Garden is beautiful and not totally manicured to death like most, you will be sure to see rare plants which Robert’s wife Sarah is more than happy to answer questions on if you’re lucky enough to catch her in the garden grabbing veg for lunch. The Steam Musem is not an amusement park it is a hidden gem which is for people with taste and appreciation for culture. Well worth a visit and a trip the lovely...

We decided to check out the stream museum with our young children. Driving up to it we did not know what to expect as we drove into a work yard to park up. There was on steam parts lying around which was fascinating. We then walk up to main area which was amazing. Museum was class the kids loved it. We did not get a chance to explore the garden but we did have food in the cafe which was really nice. Food was good but id say a little expensive but again it was nice food and venue was class. We will defo drop back again. This is a must on the bucket list of...

Very disappointed unfortunately. I was hoping for a nice day out as a family. The museum is very limited, dark and dingy- my child didn’t even want to go inside the room. The approach and parking is very poor- it looks like a closed-down site that had its hey-day 20 years ago and is no longer active, it’s only when one ventures by foot around the corner that you realise that it does still exist. The staff in the cafe were very friendly and lovely, but it was poor value for money, the food was expensive and very bland, and the restaurant itself was...