Paul Mescal’s fame has put his hometown on the tourist radar. Often skipped before, you can walk in his footsteps in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Paul Mescal has been on everyone’s radar since he starred in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People. Now with Hamnet, he keeps all eyes on him – and his hometown.
While he doesn’t live there any more, he does visit Maynooth at times. So let’s have a closer look at everything you can explore there.
Maynooth – small-town Irish life
First things first – where is Maynooth? It’s actually not far from Dublin. The bus and train connections are good, and it only takes around 45 minutes to get there from the city. So you could go for a nice day trip.
Maynooth is a perfect introduction to small-town life in Ireland. With around 17,300 inhabitants, it doesn’t feel too crowded and offers a lot of charm.
Explore the university – a good starting point
Walking from the station to campus won’t take long. It’s a perfect start for your tour of Maynooth.
While Paul Mescal didn’t study at this university, the campus is worth your time. Start with the older South Campus before crossing the street over to the more modern North Campus.
The South Campus is where you’ll find St. Patrick’s College and, near the campus entrance, Maynooth Castle.
Go a bit further and walk to the old graveyard – the trees that line the entrance like a vault look a bit eerie in the dark, but it’s fascinating to see.
On your way to the North Campus, stop by the John Paul II Library and see if you can spot Seamus, the library cat, who’s a bit of a star in his own right on campus.
The town centre – your next stop
Maynooth is a very walkable town. After the campus, head on to the centre. You’ll spot charming houses, cute stores, and cafés. If you’re after a souvenir of your Paul Mescal hometown tour, there are several options in the centre.
If you’re strolling through town on a sunny day, treat yourself to an ice cream. On Saturdays, you can also stop at the community-led market that showcases handmade and homemade goods. Then continue walking to Carton House.
This country house is a 30-minute walk away, and another movie location. Even Stanley Kubrick shot parts of his movie Barry Lyndon here. It’s also considered one of Ireland’s top golf courses.
The local pubs – enjoy a pint at the end of the day
One of Paul Mescal’s favourite pubs in Maynooth is The Roost. So this should obviously be your go-to pub after exploring the town. Sit down for a pint, enjoy the atmosphere, and maybe keep an eye on the door in case Paul happens to be in town.
Another pub that Paul Mescal has talked about is McMahon’s, which is just a stone’s throw away from The Roost. So why not check out both of them?
Maynooth has some of the best nightlife in Ireland. Live music, quiz nights, and other events take place weekly, so your night out after exploring the town is taken care of.
In the area – more fascinating sights to see
There’s a lot to explore in the area. Castletown House, a Georgian palace in Celbridge, is very close to Maynooth.
You can even get to it from Dublin by bus. Guided tours are usually available and give you an interesting insight into the history from 1722, when construction of the house began, all the way to today.
However, a unique treat is The Wonderful Barn, a corkscrew-shaped building in Leixlip that is roughly a 10-minute drive away from Castletown House. Are you ready to explore Paul Mescal’s hometown?
While we can’t guarantee that he’ll be there when you visit, you still can tell all your friends about how you walked down the same streets as him, had a pint in his favourite pub, and got to experience a small part of his life.
