Co. Carlow, South East

Carlow’s character and charm is within easy reach of Dublin, yet the city influence is kept at bay with a lively sense of place.  Although it is Ireland's second smallest county, it confidently incorporates such wonderful varieties of scenery that it has been memorably commented that the Creator was in fine form when He made Carlow.

Whether you're lingering along the gentle meanderings of the waterway of the River Barrow, or enjoying the upper valley of the River Slaney while savouring the soaring outlines of the Blackstairs Mountains as they sweep upwards to the 793 m peak of Mount Leinster, this gallant little area will soon have you in thrall.

There's history a-plenty if you wish to seek it out. But for those who prefer to live in the present, the county town of Carlow itself fairly buzzes with student life and the energetic trade of a market centre which is also home to a micro-brewery that, among other admirable products, is the source of the award-winning O’Hara’s Stout.

With the main roads much improved in recent years, a more leisurely pace can be enjoyed at riverside villages such as Leighlinbridge and Bagenalstown. Leighlinbridge - pronounced "Lochlinbridge" – has for many years been Carlow's most community-conscious riverside village, the holder of a Tidy Towns Gold Medal and an Entente Floriale winner.

There are also welcome improvements taking place to fulfill Bagenalstown's potential as a proper miniature river port, while the hidden hillside village of Borris is an enchantment in itself.



Local Attractions and Information

Carlow - VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art at the George Bernard Shaw Theatre presents the work of a balanced mixture of local, national international artists.

Carlow Eigse – Arts Festival (June) +353 (0)59 9140491

Carlow town Tourist Information +353 (0)59 9131554

Carlow county Carlow Rural Tourism +353 (0)59 9130411/9130446

Carlow Craft Brewery Micro-brewery +353 (0)59 9134356

Tullow Altamont Gardens +353 (0)59 9159444

Gardens

Hardymount Garden - Tullow County Carlow Ireland
Hardymount
Tullow, Co. Carlow
 “Welcome to my garden,” says the notice hanging on the gate, and indeed it is a welcoming place. The sight of Hardymount - a 1730s former road house with Regency bow ends added a century later - is enough to raise expectations. ...

Golf

Castlecomer Golf Club - Castlecomer County Kilkenny Ireland
Castlecomer Golf Club
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
Course Type: Parkland
Set in a 200 year old forest, Castlecomer's course provides a great test of golf combined with breath taking views of the local terrain. With the development of this course completed in 2003, it is clear to everyone at Castlecomer Golf Club that ...

Self Catering

Blanchville House - Self Catering - Maddoxtown County Kilkenny Ireland
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 ...

What's On

Enniscorthy Farmers Market - County Wexford - Saturdays
Enniscorthy Farmers Market

The Abbey Square Carpark, Enniscorthy, County Wexford

Every Saturday 9am-2pm

Contact: Pat Roche - 087 794 8830 www.wexfordfarmersmarkets.com

Tourist Attractions

Castlecomer Discovery Park - Castlecomer County Kilkenny Ireland
Castlecomer Discovery Park
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
This wonderful 80 acre discovery park & visitor centre, located at Castlecomer Demesne and Estate Yard is a place to escape and reconnect with nature, to discover more about local coal mining heritage and contemporary craft, and to explore an ...

Wedding Venues

Lisnavagh House - Wedding Marquee
Lisnavagh House & Gardens
Tullow, Co. Carlow
Lisnavagh House is a Gothic revival mansion on a stunning 800 acre private estate just 45 miles south of Dublin on the borders of counties Carlow and Wicklow. Atmospheric and unique, Lisnavagh has been a family home for eleven generations. Its ...
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