The street is divided into two parts by the Grand Canal: Lower Leeson Street, in Dublin 2 is to the north of the canal, linking to St Stephen's Green, with Upper Leeson Street, in the Dublin 4 region, south of the canal.

Originally known as Suesy Street, it was renamed in 1728 after the Leesons, a family of local brewers, who branched into property development and subsequently became Earls of Milltown. In 1769 a Magdalen Asylum was established by Lady Arabella Denny in the street for Protestant women.

The street is home to several prominent buildings including the main office of the Ombudsman and the embassies of Portugal, Malta, Palestine and Cyprus. The largest building on Lower Leeson Street, along with several adjoining buildings and significant land holdings in the area, is owned by the Catholic University School.

In 1990, Caravaggio's lost masterpiece, The Taking of Christ, was recognised in the residence of the Jesuit Communication Centre on Lower Leeson Street. Broadcaster Gerry Ryan lived and died on this street.

There were formerly streetwalkers along the canal district in Dublin.

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  Lower Leeson Street junction with Earlsfort Terrace and St Stephen's Green
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  Bus lane on Lower Leeson Street
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  Upper Leeson Street
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  Upper Leeson Street
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  Grand Canal at Leeson Street Bridge
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  Triumphal arch erected on Leeson Street Bridge for the visit of Edward VII to Dublin in 1903

• Georgian Dublin
• Joseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown
• List of streets and squares in Dublin

• TripAdvisor review on the area