In a back and forth encounter, the lead swung back and forth throughout, with Ben Carson scoring Ulster's tries in each half. Leinster's four tries were enough to get them the bonus-point victory and retain their position at the summit of the URC table.
Ulster marked the week in the lead up to the game by celebrating the province's 100th year of playing at Ravenhill, with this corresponding fixture in 1924 the first to open the grounds.
Ulster made a brilliant start to the contest, with a slick piece of attacking resulting in centre Ben Carson diving over in the corner after the try assist from James McNabney.
Nathan Doak's conversion from the touchline was expertly put away for a 7-0 lead.
Leinster hit back just minutes later however, with their quick-witted scrum-half, McGrath, exploiting a gap and darting under the posts for the away side's opening score. Byrne converted to draw level.
Nathan Doak then notched a penalty to put Ulster back in front at 10-7.
Ulster received a blow when winger, Werner Kok, had to come off for an early HIA that would keep him out.
This time, it was Ross Byrne's time to slot a penalty and draw things level once more at 10-10.
After an period in the Leinster 22, Ulster received another penalty that Nathan Doak took to re-claim the lead once more.
Ulster received another blow before half-time, with replacement winger Ben Moxham coming off the field with a knee injury.
Scrum-half, John Cooney, then took his position on the right wing.
At half-time Ulster went into the sheds with a 13-10 lead.
Just three minutes after the restart, Ulster were reduced to fourteen, after flanker, Nick Timoney, was shown a yellow for a head collision on Scott Penny.
Leinster made use of their man advantage, and drove forward in the Ulster 22. Jimmy O'Brien almost set Osbourne clear but for some last ditch tackling by Ulster. The ball was then passed wide to Jordan Larmour, who stepped inside and ran through the gap to score, with Byrne converting.
There was a welcome return to the field for hooker, Tom Stewart, who returned to action after an ankle injury for his first appearance of the season.
With Timoney back on from his sin-bin, Ulster replied through Ben Carson scoring his second after being found by his centre partner, Jude Postlethwaite.
The Lisburn man did well to spin his defender and finish. Doak's conversion put the home side back in front at 20-17.
Leinster came straight back up the field in the minutes after and after good passing along their backs, Jimmy O'Brien was sent over for their third try. Byrne's kick went wide of the posts for a scoreline of 20-22.
In yet another blow for Ulster, John Cooney, was then forced to exit the field with an injury, leaving Ulster to put flanker, Nick Timoney, on the wing for the final minutes.
Leinster punished Ulster and extended their lead when James Culhane finished off a lineout maul over the whitewash to settle the match.
Ulster will now re-group and look ahead to kicking off their Investec Champions Cup campaign against the reigning European Champions, Toulouse.
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Carson x2
CON: Doak x2
PEN: Doak x2
Leinster:
TRY: McGrath, Larmour, O'Brien, Culhane
CON: Byrne x2
PEN: Byrne
Teams:
Ulster
(15-9) Stewart Moore, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson, Alan O'Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Corrie Barrett, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Marcus Rea, 21 John Cooney, 22 James Humphreys, 23 Ben Moxham.
Leinster
(15-9) Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath;
(1-8) Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (C).
Replacements:* Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny.
