Tours and Day Trips Carlow Ireland
Carlow – A county of ancient beauty and mystical charm
Carlow it is the second smallest county in Ireland and to the south and south east, the dramatic BlackstairsMountains frame the county. Carlow Town is a bustling centre with great shopping, fine restaurants and accommodation, it has a well-earned reputation for lively festivals throughout the year, including the internationally renowned Eigse Arts Festival, an 8-day extravaganza in June each year, featuring visual arts, theatre, comedy, dance, literary events, film, music, crafts and street entertainment.
What’s On -There is an excellent Walking Festival in October and a Floral Festival in August. Carlow boasts a long tradition in river sports and boating activity, with Carlow Regatta, one of the oldest rowing festivals in the country, which takes place in May. Carlow has many listed river walks, including the National Way Marked Barrow Way.
Carlow is also home to Duckett’s Grove, originally the 18th and early 19th century home of the Duckett family, whose walled gardens and wooded pleasure grounds are now open to the public. Tullow is located on the River Slaney and is the nearby home of Altamont Gardens – one of the country’s most celebrated gardens. Bagenalstown is a charming town, with riverside walks and a picturesque lock close to the fine estate house of Dunleckney Manor.
The pretty town of Leighlinbridge is dominated by the medieval ruin of the Black Castle standing sentinel over a 14th century, nine-arched bridge – reputedly one of the oldest functioning bridges in Europe. Rathvilly is a picturesque village to the north east of Carlow. Its name derives from a series of ancient raths or forts built along the River Barrow. St Mullins originally the site of a 7th century monastery built by St Moling, whom the village is named after, an Abbey was later built here. The ruins of a 10th century round tower and high cross exist to this day, these are but a few of the towns in county Carlow.
A bite to Eat – Choose from a diverse array of places to eat, including award winning restaurants serving fresh local produce and fusing the best of Irish, Continental and Asian cuisine for a truly international flavour.
A dynamic and vibrant nightlife kicks off in the evenings with live music and entertainment in Co. Carlow’s pubs, bars and clubs. Throughout the county you will find genuine Irish culture in its music and traditions. Experience the excitement of a traditional Irish music session, or relax as storytellers recall ancient tales of battles won and love lost.
Why not stay – From the moment you step in to your accommodation in county Carlow you will enjoy the warmest of welcomes from the friendly staff and home owner who will attend to your every need and will ensure that you will want to return again and again to the county.
Carlow – Ceatharlach
Carlow Town is a bustling centre with great shopping, fine restaurants and
accommodation. Carlow has a well-earned reputation for lively festivals throughout the year, including the internationally renowned Eigse Arts Festival, an 8-day extravaganza in June each year, featuring visual arts, theatre, comedy, dance, literary events, film, music, crafts and street entertainment.
There is an excellent Walking Festival in October and a Floral Festival in August. Carlow boasts a long tradition in river sports and boating activity, with Carlow Regatta, one of the oldest rowing festivals in the country, which takes place in May.
Carlow has many listed river walks, including the National Way Marked Barrow Way. It is also home to Duckett’s Grove, originally the 18th and early 19th century home of the Duckett family, whose walled gardens and wooded pleasure grounds are now open to the public
Browns Hill Dolmen
One very unmistakable monument dating back to pre – historical times is the great dolmen at Browneshill to the east of Carlow Town. The magnificent capstone has excited the interest of many antiquarians and tourists down through the years. The dolmen has a granite capstone weighing about 100 tonnes. It is thought that religious rites, possibly even human sacrifices were performed there for four and a half thousand years ( 2500 B.C ) and is testament to the fact that even our ancestors in the midst of pre – history regarded the area as somewhere special
Carlow Castle
Now a ruin standing on the eastern bank of the River Barrow, Carlow Castle is thought to have been built by William de Marshal (Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Leinster between 1207 and 1213) and is similar in design to Ferns Castle in County Wexford.
At one time Carlow was an important and strong military fortress, strategically sited at the confluence of the rivers, and the castle withstood repeated attacks in 1494 and 1641. Today, two battered towers and part of an intervening wall are all that remain after a local physician tried to remodel it as an asylum in 1814. In an effort to demolish the interior he placed explosive charges at its base and demolished all but the west wall and towers
County Carlow Military Museum
The Museun is in a late 19th century Church. The museum has a wide range of exhibits relating yo Carlow’s military history. You will find artifects dating from the late 18th Century to the present day and details of the history of the Irish Army, Local Reserve Defence Forces, UN Peacekeeping, Carlow Militia, World War 1, War of Independance and much more.
Other features focus on Carlow soldiers in armies throughtout the world along with armoured vehicle production in Carlow during World War 2
County Carlow Library
Carlow provides genealogical services.For visitors tracing their roots, and those interested in the history of the county, a visit to the reference section of the library is a recommended starting point. Newspaper files dating back to the early 1800s and a range of books dealing with Co Carlow, are among the comprehensive stock of material available.
Carlow Cathedral
Located immediately beside St. Patrick’s College, the cathedral was started in 1828 and completed in 1833 at a cost of £9,000.00. It was the brainchild of the energetic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, James Doyle, ( J.K.L ), the prominent champion of Catholic emancipation.
The design of the cathedral is largely attributed to Thomas Cobden who drew his inspiration for the Carlow building from European models, particularly the Beftroi Tower in Bruges, Belgium. Its magnificent tower and lantern, 150 feet tall, lifts it above the ordinary. Local granite and limestone were used in its construction.
The monument is dedicated to the unflinching faith and courage of J.K.L who died the year after the cathedral was opened and who lies interred in its walls. The cathedral also houses an acclaimed statue by John Hogan to Bishop Doyle, considered to be his greatest achievement
St Mary’s Church of Ireland
The Church dates from 1727, it has an impressive tower and spire, reaching 195 feet which were added in 1834, part of extensive additions to the church designed by Thomas Cobden.the interior retains its traditional galleries. There are also several monuments including ones by Sir Richard Morrison, the important neoclassical architect.
The church is a mixture of 18th century classical and 19th century Gothic architecture. This is the third church on this site. The first church c1635. The second church completed in c1732 and the third church completed in c1832.
The east window is by Mayer
Carlow Court House
Considered to be one of the finest courthouses in the country, Carlow Courthouse was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison in 1830. The building of the courthouse was made possible by the generous patronage of the Bruen family of Oak Park. The Courthouse, based on the Temple of Llissus in Athens, gives the impression of a temple set on a high plinth, but this obscures the fact that the basement is a maze of cells and dungeons. An interesting story is associated with Carlow Courthouse. It was apparently intended for Cork city, but the plans were mixed up and Carlow gained Cork’s impressive Courthouse. A cannon from the Crimean War stands on the steps
Visual centre for contemporary Art
VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art the George Bernard Shaw Theatre presents the work of a balanced mixture of local, national international artists. Our four gallery spaces have been designed to the highest specifications allowing for flexible and innovative displays which give artists an opportunity to flex their creativity and expand the scale and materials they use to make their work.
Our main gallery is unrivalled in Ireland for its size, light, clarity and proportions and will offer both a challenge and opportunity to any artist who takes it on. Two other white cube spaces, the Studio Digital Galleries allow for a variety of uses, including the display of audio-visual work and the presence of an artist in residence. VISUAL can also use other spaces including the Lobby Gallery and in-between spaces to present work on a variety of scales.
The George Bernard Shaw Theatre.
Contrast the interior design of Visual ans splashes of red accenting the interior, from the seats through to the bar worth a hint in the building lobby. The theatre receives national, international and regional touring productions as well as locally produced work.
The Dome Family Entertainment centre
At Dome we cater for people of all ages from the very young to the young at heart. On the ground floor you will find 12 lanes of Bowling, our fabulous Diner and all the latest video games. On the top floor is Kidzmania which is our childrens adventure play area. It is split into three sections: Toddlers, 2 – 5 years and 5 – 12 years. Birthday parties and group bookings are a speciality
Bowling – €25 Monday to Friday All Day,
€35 Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays All Day.
Clogrennan Loop
A-B. Starting from the car park, follow the purple arrow along the forestry roadway for 500m to reach a Y-junction. This is the point from which the loop proper begins – you will be returning to this point from the left on the return section. For now – proceed straight.
B-C. Continue to follow the forestry roadway for 200m to cross a stream at a concrete bridge and another 300m takes you to a woodland track on your left where you turn left. Follow the track as it zig-zags uphill. At the top of the climb, the loop joins a sandy forestry track and turns left.
C-A. Over the next 500m the terrain changes from a sandy track path to forestry roadway – and fine views of Carlow Town and the River Barrow open up on your left. Cross a stream at a concrete ‘ford’ at a sharp left bend and continue for another 300m to regain the junction from where you started the loop at B above. This time turn right and enjoy the last 500m back to the trailhead
Oak Park Forrest Walk
Description:
Oak Park Forest Park is part of former Oak Park estate, which was the home of the Bruen Family from 1775 to 1957. In 1960 the estate was divided among many small holders and the Agricultural Institute. Today, Teagasc (the Agriculture and Food Development Authority) has its headquarters here, carrying out research, training and advisory services to the agricultural sector. A considerable portion of the park is established woodland and Teagasc has given 127 acres of forestry parkland as a recreational, community and amenity facility – open for the public to explore and enjoy.
Oak Park Forest Park is a mature mixed species woodland with a predominance of Beech, Ash, Scots Pine, Larch and considerable regeneration of broadleaf trees – especially Ash and Sycamore. The woodland has an extensive range of ferns, mosses and woodland flora. The Lakes and their surrounds provide a habitat for swans and ducks, while the islands shelter many wild and game birds.
Four short walks have been developed in the park with informal leisure areas, picnic sites and viewing facilities of the lakes. A 1.5km ‘wheelway’, capturing the amenity of the Lake, Picnic and Butlers Wood beauty spots, gives access to wheelchair users. This Oak Park loop incorporates all four short walks.
A-B. Starting from the mapboard at the car park, follow the purple arrow on to the boardwalk. Continue for 150m to reach a sandy roadway where you turn right following the purple arrow and signpost for Butler’s Wood Walk. After 30m the Butler’s Wood Walk turns right onto a boardwalk – you continue straight here. Approximately 100m farther on another boardwalk on the left marks the start of the Lake Walk – you will be returning to here, for now proceed straight along the sandy roadway.
B-C. After 200m the sandy roadway joins the Fox Covert Walk and the boardwalk starts again. Pass the stone pillar and turn right. Follow the boardwalk to reach a 3-way junction which marks the start of the Dark Woods Walk – turn right. Continue for 500m to reach the ‘top’ of the loop – from where it swings left to make its way back to the trailhead. You now join the edge of a man-made lake – keep a look out for the wildlife.
C-D. Another 500m takes you back to the Fox Covert Walk – turn right and follow the boardwalk to reach a 3-way junction. The boardwalk to your right takes you on a short circuit of Sally Island and you will return to this point agin in about 10mins. Turn right and, after 20m turn right again to start the circuit.
D-A. After completing the circuit, turn right and when you rejoin the Lake Walk take a sharp right onto the boardwalk instead of the sand roadway you travelled on the outward journey. Follow the boardwalk to the end of the lakeshore where you turn left and rejoin the sandy road. Turn right, travel 100m and then turn left onto the last section of boardwalk to the trailhead
www.carlowgardentrail.com
Duckett’s Grove & Walled Gardens
Ducketts Grove was designed in a castellated Gothic revival style, by Thomas A. Cobden for John Davidson Duckett circa 1825. The 18th, 19th and early 20th Century home of the Duckett family, was formerly at the centre of a twelve thousand acre estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over three hundred years.The building incorporates numerous towers and turrets of varying shapes, round, square and octagonal. One tall octagonal turret rises from the structure. It is elaborately ornamented with oriels and niches containing statues. The house itself is situated in the townland of Rainstown, between Carlow and Tullow but the estate itself comprised several large townlands and parts of others. The first phase of the revival of two old walled gardens has now been completed, the old paths revealed and the beds and borders reinstated. Stylistically the new planting schemes echo the past, yet reflect changing fashions, utilising plants and planting patterns that may have evolved over time. The upper walled garden, hedged with boxwood, is planted with historical varieties of shrub roses, a collection of Chinese and Japanese peonies, a great variety of hardy and tender perennials and choice flowering shrubs including echium, watsonia, acanthus, jovellana, daphniphyllum, acradenia, arbutus, cornus, iris, eryngium, beschorneria, euporbia and to really test the microclimate of the gardens, some ornamental bananas. The lower walled garden, once the site of the old orchard, contains a variety of fruits, including figs and historical varieties of Irish apples amongst others. The borders also contain a variety of shrubs and perennials all echoing the past history of the gardens and people associated with Duckett’s Grove. Restored paths and the repaired sunken stone bridge plus plantings of oak, lime, hazel, spindle and laurel rekindle the spirit of the Georgian Pleasure Grounds
Altamont Gardens
An unmissable highlight of a visit to Altamont Gardens is the Walled Garden situated within the grounds of the estate and run privately by gardener and nurseryman Robert Miller. The area consists of the Corona North Commemorative Border and Altamont Plant Sales and Nursery. The Corona North Commemorative Border took over a year to design, build and plant, and was opened in 2000 to honour Altamont’s late owner, Corona North. Many of the plants in the border were donated by friends of Corona and fellow great Irish gardeners.
These donated plants and thousands of others grown at Robert Miller and then-business partner Assumpta Broomfield’s nursery make up one of the largest borders of its kind in the country, and tell a story of Irish horticulture woven into a seamless living tapestry. A visit is a must for any seasoned or novice gardener looking for inspiration or simple enjoyment.
Altamont Plant Sales has not only grown in size in the last few years, but more so in reputation as a place to acquire seriously good garden plants. Altamont Plant Sales has always been renowned for its extensive and exclusive range of herbaceous perennials – many of which can only be found at Altamont. But Altamont Plant Sales can also now boast of having one of the largest collections of old shrub roses available for sale to the gardening public year round.
If trees and shrubs are more your thing, don’t despair. Rare oaks, maples, cherry blossoms, dogwoods, magnolias, beech and smaller flowering trees and shrubs suitable for every sized garden are also available throughout the year.
Snowdrop Week, hosted at Altamont every February. This is an opportunity to marvel at the vast varieties of snowdrops in bloom throughout the garden, and also to acquire several types to start or add to your own collection, along with a selection of hellebores second to none.
Hundreds of complementary flowering plants are also available throughout the spring. Altamont Plant Sales is exactly as the name suggests: plants for sale – high-quality plants grown and cared for with expertise and knowledge. Robert Miller of Altamont Plant Sales is also available for consultancy work for new and mature gardens
Tullow Museum
Housed in an attractive small, former Methodist church at the Slaney River Bridge, the museum houses a splendid collection documenting the region’s history, including mementos from Fr. John Murphy of 1798. whose monument dominates the town square
Huntington Castle
These gardens were mainly laid out in the 17th century by the Esmondes who built Huntington Castle in 1625. This includes the French limes on the Avenue, the – parterre- or lawns to the side of the house, the fish ponds on either side of the centre walk through the wilderness and the majority of Yew trees which comprise the Yew Walk.
Larger plantings have resulted in Huntington possessing a number of great Irish trees, including varieties of hickory, a cut leaved oak, Siberian crab and buckeye chestnut.
A lake at the bottom of the wilderness was built for ornamental purposes but next to it is one of the earliest water turbine houses in Ireland, providing Huntington with its own electricity as early as 1888. Both the lake and turbine house are to be restored in the near future. The River Derry – also being the boundary line between Counties Wexford and Carlow – flows along the bottom of the wilderness, providing a pleasant setting for woodland walks
Borris House
Borris House is the hereditary home of the McMorrough-Kavanagh Family. Groups by prior appointment only.The McMurrough Kavanagh dynasty, former Celtic Kings of Leinster, are central to this picturesque town of old stone buildings. The family still live at Borris House in the town centre. Constructed in Tudor style, Borris House was built in 1731 by Morgan Kavanagh.
It’s a three storey house incorporating an old castle. In 1798 it was badly damaged but in 1820 it was restored by Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison. Among the many family possessions, is the 12th century Kavanagh Charter Horn, which is on display in the house
Carlow Brewing Company
Carlow Brewing Company is an award winning Microbrewery producing a range of 3 quality beers: O’Hara’s Celtic Stout the Championship trophy and Gold medal winner at the Brewing Industry International Awards 2000/01, Curim Gold Celtic Wheat Beer and Molings Traditional Red Ale.
The Brewery is housed in ‘The Goods Store’ a superb old stone building which in days gone by the scene of the unloading of provisions for the towns traders. Beautifully restored and converted, the visitors bar is a pleasant setting in which tourists can sample the beers after the tour and also provides a unique setting for any private party or function
Dunleckney Manor
One of County Carlow’s most magnificent country houses is situated 2 k.m north east of Bagenalstown. The present structure dates to the 17th century, although the manor was home to the Bagenal family for almost three centuries from 1585 onwards. Designed in Tudor Gothic style, with oriel windows, it is now restored to its former glory
Carlow Trail of the Saints
St Laserians Cathedral
An old monastic church was founded here in 632 AD by Saint Laserian. It became one of the foremost monastic churches in Leinster and in the 12th century it became the See of Leighlin.
This site was the location of an important church synod in 630AD which agreed the system for establishing the date for easter each year.
Today, there are only a few remains, including Saint Laserians Cross and Well. In fact, part of the existing church dates from 1181. The Cathedral itself, which is one of the smallest Irish Medieval Cathedrals, was converted into a Prostestant parochial church in the latter part of the 16th century
Carlow Golf Trail
Carlow Golf Club
Set in the beautiful green countryside of the South East, Carlow Golf Club is an 18 hole Parkland course laid out in a former wild deer park attached to the former Bruen Estate. Cecil Barcroft designed this Championship course in 1922 and it was redesigned by Tom Simpson assisted by Molly Gourlay in 1937.
The course has a sandy subsoil, which is links like with undulating terrain, numerous elevated trees, several excellent doglegs and small slick putting surfaces. Carlow is playable twelve months of the year and a plugged ball is virtually unheard of. Its qualities are further enhanced by the water hazards at the 1st, 2nd, 10th and 11th. There are many long par 4s and the 16th, a very demanding two shotter, played through a tunnel-like valley, has been noted by Christy O Connor Snr, as the best 16th hole in Ireland
Day Trip Carlow Kilkeny Wexford
Carlow – Kilkenny – Wexford Route 2
Carlow » Kilkenny » New Ross » Carlow. Distance: 157 km (98 miles)
Recommended Time: 1 Day.
Starting from the vibrant market town of Carlow, drive south along the N9 towards Kilkenny, taking the N78 to visit the Dunmore Cave. Travel onwards to Kilkenny City, Ireland’s medieval capital where four medieval abbeys and attractive covered slipways are only some of the historical features on offer. There are tours of the fully restored Kilkenny Castle and first class shopping and dining in the city.
From Kilkenny drive south along the R700 to Bennettsbridge, home to many renowned craft shops including Nicholas Mosse Pottery and also the Nore View Folk Museum. The R700 also takes you to Thomastown, where you can visit Jerpoint Abbey, one of the most interesting and best-preserved Cistercian ruins in the country, and Inistioge, home of the beautifully preserved Woodstock Gardens and House.
Continue to the port town of New Ross home of the Dunbrody Famine Ship and return to Carlow through the beautiful and historic towns of St Mullins, Graiguenamanagh and Gowran.
Day trip Cathedral Drive
This pleasant route through counties Carlow and Wexford takes in many of the region’s best known ecclesiastical visitor attractions along the Barrow and Slaney rivers. Starting out from the cathedral town of Carlow, drive south along the N9 to Leighlinbridge. Continue on the N9 to Gowran, home of St Mary’s medieval collegiate church. At Graiguenamanagh you can visit Duiske Abbey, an early Cistercian church in Ireland built around 1204. St. Mullins is a scenic and charming village on the River Barrow with an impressive ecclesiastical history. Entering Co. Wexford you’ll reach the towns of New Ross, featuring the Dunbrody famine ship docked along the quays and the ancient Norman settlement and cathedral town of Enniscorthy, on the River Slaney. The route returns north to Carlow town through the pretty towns of Bunclody and Tullow, home to the beautiful Altamont Gardens, the Nore Valley and Barrow River route
Gordon Bennett Drive
The Gordon Bennett route takes in Counties Carlow, Kildare and Laois.
The 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup Race came to Ireland because of the remarkable victory by Selwyn F. Edge in the 1902 race. The rules required the winning country to stage the following year’s race and so unexpected was the British victory and so strong the establishment opposition to motoring in that country that there was little hope of the race being staged there.
Many thousands of visitors came by boat to view the race while some 1,500 brought their cars with the intention of touring the countryside while here. As the total number of cars in Ireland was only around 300 at the time this was a huge influx and provided many Irish people with their first opportunity to see a motor car.
Four countries entered teams of three cars each for the contest: France, the United States, Germany and Britain. The cars were to be painted in national colours – France in blue; the United States in red; Germany in white and Britain, in deference to Ireland’s role in organising the race, chose emerald green. The chosen route was a figure eight course centered on Athy.
see www.gordonbennettroute.com
