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Ballon, Co. Carlow

Ballon (Balana in Irish) is a village in County Carlow. It is located in the heart of County Carlow on the N80 road near Carlow Town.

Ballon boasts a rich history of stonemasonry, one of Ireland’s oldest crafts, whilst Ballon Hill provides excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Historians believe that Ballon Hill was the burial place of the King of Ireland, Cathair Mor, in 177 AD; ancient burial grounds are very common in Ballon. A guided tour of Malone’s 12 acre fruit farm (+353 (0) 503 59477, open May to October) is well worthwhile.

Within a short distance of the village is Altamont Gardens, set in a small and uniquely beautiful estate, the gardens at Altamont are one of County Carlow's premier tourist attractions and touted as the 'most romantic gardens in Ireland'.

Ballon Hill is a beautiful place for a walk, and it is where a lot of houses are situated. It is only about 450 feet above sea level, but provides a marvellous view of the countryside, it is said, sight of nine counties.

Gardens

Kilfane Glen & Waterfall

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Kilfane is Ireland’s answer to Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon. This rediscovered treasure of gardening history was originally designed in the 1790s in the fashionably romantic style to embellish the gothic wonders of nature. Paths a ...

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Golf

Carlow Golf Club

Carlow, Co. Carlow
Course Type: Parkland

Long acknowledged as one of the country's finest parkland courses, Carlow Golf Club was founded in 1899. The 6,570 yard par 70 course is naturally free draining and the sandy sub-soil has always made this a highly attractive venue to play at any ...

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Self Catering

The Coachyard & Gardener's Cottage at Blanchville House

Maddoxtown, Co. Kilkenny

The delightful Victorian Coach House in the grounds of Blanchville House has been sensitively converted to provide three very comfortable self-catering units. Situated five miles (8km), 10 minute's drive from the Medieval City of Kilkenny and ...

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What's On

Aughrim Farmers Market - Co Wicklow - Saturdays

Aughrim Farmers Market - Saturdays 11am-2pm

Aughrim Park Pavillion, Aughrim, Co Wicklow

Contact: Caroline Dillon 086 086 5838

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Tourist Attractions

St Marys Church

Gowran, Co. Kilkenny

In the centre of Gowran village is the historic St Marys Collegiate Church which contains monuments from the 14th to 17th centuries. This collegiate church was built in the late 13th century on the site of an earlier monastery and was served by a ...

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Wedding Venues

Ballykealey Manor Hotel

Ballon, Co. Carlow

This pleasing country house hotel designed by Thomas A Cobden (designer of Carlow cathedral) was built in the 1830s and, with gothic arches and Tudor chimney stacks among its architectural oddities, it has plenty of character. This wedding ve ...

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