Activities

Carlow County Museum brings to life the story of Carlow's development through the ages. Carlow Sugar Factory, Ireland's first and largest sugar factory, was opened in 19 26. Click here to find out more.

Waterways

A journey along Carlow’s gentle waterways leads the visitor to a tranquil bygone time. The Rivers Barrow and Slaney and their many tributaries provide exciting activities for the passive and active water enthusiast. Click here to find out more

The Barrow River

The Barrow Line was finished in the early 1790?s and runs for 46km from Lowtown to Athy where it becomes part of the River Barrow Navigation. The old canal with its elegant bridges and locks is a joy to travel. Find out more

Family Fun

Carlow's many exciting attractions, activities, events and festivals will keep the entire family entertained for weeks! Find out more

The Great Outdoors

There is a huge range of sporting activities in Carlow, from watersports to hill climbing, horse racing to football, Carlow has it all. Find out more

Theatre and the arts

VISUAL is one of Ireland’s leading facilities for the presentation of local, national and international contemporary visual art as well as housing a magnificent theatre comprising 290 seats, a restaurant and bar. Find out more

Parks and gardens

Carlow's numerous parks and gardens are a joy to behold. A retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern day life, Carlow's Parks and Gardens provide an unparalleled experience. Find out more

Accommodation

From charming country-houses to fashionable hotels, Carlow has a range of wonderful accommodation to choose from. Relax and unwind in the luxurious surroundings of some of Ireland's finest hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs. Find out more

With mountains, glorious countryside and river valleys all close at hand, Carlow is a county worth discovering and exploring. Against a beautiful landscape visitors to Carlow will uncover a great holiday experience – exhilarating outdoor adventure, traditional rural life, vibrant shopping and a rich cultural heritage.

Home to three of Ireland’s key national walking routes – the South Leinster, the Barrow and the Wicklow Ways – Carlow is blessed with hundreds of miles of excellent and varied walking. The golfing visitor will find an impressive variety of golfing facilities to suit all levels while the Rivers Barrow and Slaney and their many tributaries provide exciting activities for the passive and active water enthusiast.

Co. Carlow is steeped in historical and archaeological artefacts from pagan sites such as the Brownshill Dolmen to ecclesiastical settlements, many of which are of national significance. The Carlow Garden Trial is another gem for visitors to enjoy featuring a collection of eighteen gardening attractions including great old gardens such those at Altamont and smaller gardens which are maturing beautifully with time. Award winning garden centres and forest parks complement the joy of a visit here.

On the arts front the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre is a dynamic multi-disciplinary arts facility presenting the best of local, national and international work in the visual and performing arts. Standing in a strategic location in the centre of Carlow Town, it rivals its contemporaries in New York, Berlin or Toyko in terms of its scale and contemporary architecture.

Situated in the South East of Ireland, approximately 90km from the ferry and airports of Dublin, Rosslare and Waterford, Carlow is one of Ireland’s most charming inland counties. Its central location offers the perfect base to explore the surrounding counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Kildare and Laois.
The Gathering

The Gathering

Throughout 2013, County Carlow will welcome friends and family from all over the world, inviting them home to locally organised gatherings in Carlow's villages and towns. Festivals taking place are The International Pan Ceiltic Festival 2nd - 7th April, Barrow River Arts Festival 19th - 21st April, Barrowfest Leighlinbridge 24th - 26th May, Carlow Rowing Club 2nd - 3rd June, Carlow Arts Festival Eigse 7th - 16th June and also the gathering of the Ryan and Nolan Family Clan Reunions. Please download brochure for a full list of events and festivals taking place by clicking the link. more...
Carlow Arts Festival Éigse 7th – 16th June 2013

Carlow Arts Festival Éigse 7th – 16th June 2013

The 34th year of this extraordinary festival will feature key exhibitions in the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, as well as theatre, comedy, music, literature, film, history and street spectacle across the county. Highlights include Ben Long’s 12 metre high sculpture – in scaffold – of a rearing horse; a wall of wood fashioned by 20 of the world’s leading artists; a showcase of seven of Ireland’s most innovative illustrators; and the infamous Éigse Open Submission. more...
The Visual Art Centre and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre

The Visual Art Centre and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre

VISUAL is one of Ireland's leading facilities for the presentation of local, national and international contemporary visual art as well as housing a magnificent theatre comprising 290 seats, a restaurant and bar. The building has been designed by renowned architect Terry Pawson and contains both one of the largest and most sympathetic spaces for presenting contemporary and modern art in Ireland. more...
The Carlow Garden Trail

The Carlow Garden Trail

The Carlow Garden Trail currently features 16 different gardening attractions including great old gardens that have been lovingly restored and maintained throughout the years, and smaller gardens which are maturing beautifully with time. It ranges from small to very large gardens, garden centres and forest parks and from old to new, so there is something to stimulate both the novice and experienced gardener. Known for its mild and temperate climate, County Carlow in Ireland's sunny South East is the ideal destination for your gardening trip. more...
Carlow Trail of the Saints

Carlow Trail of the Saints

(Carlow) Trail of the Saints is made up of 3 Separate driving routes which between them cover the entire County of Carlow and feature 51 ecclesiasticall attractions. Many are of national significance include the Romanesque Door Way at Killeshin, the medieval Cathedral of Old Leighlin and the monastic site of St. Mullins. Download Carlow Trail of the Saints Brochure here E: info@carlowtourism.com     more...
Summer Packages

Summer Packages

Carlow native Kathryn Thomas is currently promoting Summer holiday breaks in Co. Carlow on RTE Radio 1, Lyric FM and Newstalk.  Tune in to hear what Kathryn has to say about Carlow and the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and Carlow Arts Festival, the Carlow Garden Trail and Garden Festival and the host of outdoor activities from walking to golfing which can be enjoyed in the county. more...

Rose Week at Altamont Gardens 24th - 28th June 2013

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Altamont House & Gardens

Location: Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow.
Tel: +353 (0) 59 9159444
Email: altamontgardens@opw.ie
Web: www.carlowgardentrail.com/altamont.htm

With the promise of balmy, sunny days June is the perfect time to take to the garden and enjoy the many treats within. The third Rose Week at Altamont Gardens takes place from Monday, June 24 – Sunday June 28

This event has been organised by the Office of Public Works in association with Carlow Tourism to showcase the magnificent variety, colour patterns and scents of their significant rose collection. From the beautiful pinks of “Rosa Heritage” to the two tone apricot hues of “Rosa Just Joey”, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Guided tours will be conducted by head gardener Paul Cutler at 2 p.m. daily at a very reasonable fee of €2 per person. Valuable advice on rose maintenance will also be provided as part of the tour. The gardens are open as normal each day from 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. and viewing is free of charge.

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Rosa Blessings

Other rose varieties on display include “Rosa Buffbeauty”, “Rosa Blush Noisette” and “Rosa Blessings”. All of the roses were tended to by Mrs. North, former owner of the gardens and are now carefully maintained by the team at Altamont Gardens. For those seeking to transfer some of the knowledge learned to their own gardens, Altamont Plant Sales, located on the site of Altamont Gardens offers one of the largest collections of old shrub roses in the country with special Rose offers available during this very special event. For more information visit www.carlowgardentrail.com To download Brochure please click here

HOW TO FIND US: From Dublin/Waterford exit the M9 at junction 5 for N80 Rosslare. Continue along the N80 through the village of Ballon and N80/N81 junction. Continue for 2km, turn left at next cross road junction signed Altamont Gardens. Alternatively, visitors travelling directly from Carlow town may follow the N80 Wexford – Rosslare road and continue as above.

Doing Business in County Carlow by Carlow CEB & Carlow Local Authorities

A new video released for doing business in Carlow. County carlow is one of the fastest growing regions in Ireland and is centrally located. Carlow has  state of the art telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. Carlow is now one of the Ireland’s key destinations for retail shopping. For more information please click the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrMHut6wRWY&feature=youtu.be

Relay for Life 22nd - 23rd June 2013

Relay for Life

Relay for Life

Location: Duckett’s Grove, Near  Carlow Town

Contact: Gerard Holohan T: +353 (0)59 913 0550

E: carlow@relayforlife.ie Web: www.relayforlife.ie

Relay For Life is a 24-hour team walking relay event in support of the Irish Cancer Society. The event in support of the Irish Cancer Society. The event starts with a celebration of cancer survivors. Irish and overseas cancer survivors are invited to come alone to the event to represent the worldwide survival of people with cancer.