Founded in Naas, County Kildare in 1880 as the Leinster Leader and Central Counties Commercial and Agricultural Adviser, the paper was unapologetic about its support of Irish Nationalism and Home Rule. It emerged when Ireland was in a period of social and political turmoil. The first editor was Patrick Cahill, an Irish Nationalist, Land League activist, and supported Home Rule. The second editor was John Wyse Power, founding member of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

The Leinster Leader followed historic events of Ireland through the Easter Rising, The War of Independence, and the Civil War as well as the First World War and the Emergency years. You will also find coverage of local news and GAA events. From 1901 onwards, its circulation included Kildare, east Offaly, west Wicklow, and parts of Meath, Dublin, and Laois. The paper is still published today with Johnston Press.