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

Coolaught Gardens - Clonroche County Wexford Ireland
Coolaught Gardens
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
The replanting of the old orchard at Coolaught provided the perfect excuse for Caroline Deacon – a passionate gardener like her husband Harry - to expand the garden beside the family’s farmhouse, one of the 100 oldest homes in County ...

Golf

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Mount Juliet Golf Club
Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
Course Type: Parkland
Opened in 1991 with a match featuring golfing legends Christy O'Connor Snr. and Jack Nicklaus, the beautiful and challenging Nicklaus designed Mount Juliet course located 19km (12 miles) south of Kilkenny City has established itself as one of Ire ...

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

Kilkenny Farmers Market - Every Thursday
Event Name:    Kilkenny Farmers Market - Every Thursday, 9.30am - 2.30pm

at Mayors Walk, The Parade, Kilkenny City, Kilkenny

Event Details:   ...

Tourist Attractions

Kilkenny Castle - Kilkenny County Kilkenny Ireland
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny Castle is a 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Kilkenny Castle was built to control a fording-point of the ...

Wedding Venues

Wedding
Ballyduff House
Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
Set in fine rolling countryside in its own farmland and grounds, Breda Thomas’s lovely 18th century house overlooking the River Nore is blessed with an utterly restful location. Ballyduff House offers exceptionally spacious and comfortable ...
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