CARLOW:

Carlow town stands at the confluence of the Barrow and Burrin rivers. Tradition has it that the junction of the two rivers once covered such a large tract of ground that a lake was formed, or some believe four lakes. Carlow means either City of the Lake or Four Lakes. This ancient town has a rich historic tradition.While the River Barrow remains an important focus for the town, other influences include a bustling student population, a thriving arts and crafts community, a strong tradition of Irish language and culture and a superb range of shops, boutiques and restaurants.

HOTEL

Dolmen Hotel and Rivercourt Lodges
Kilkenny Road
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 42002
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 42375
Website: www.dolmenhotel.ie
Email: reservations@dolmenhotel.ie

McHugh's Courthouse Hotel
Dublin Street
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 33243
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 33430
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/mchughshotel.html
Email: courthsehot@eircom.net

Seven Oaks Hotel
Tel: + 353 (0) 59 9131308
Fax: + 353 (0) 59 9132155
Email: info@sevenoakshotel.com
Website: www.sevenoakshotel.com

Ballyvergal Guesthouse
Dublin Road
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 43634
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 40386
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/ballyvergal.html
Email: ballyvergal@indigo.ie

Barrowville Townhouse
Kilkenny Road
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 43324
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 41953
Website: www.barrowvillehouse.com

Carlow Guesthouse
Green Lane
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 36033
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 36034
Website: www.carlowguesthouse.com
Email: carlowguesthouse@eircom.net

BED & BREAKFAST

Barrow Lodge
The Quay
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 41173
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/barrowlodge.html

Borlum House
Kilkenny Road
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 41747
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/borlum.html

Rosbawn
Kilkenny Road
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 31072
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/rosbawn.html

Coolanowle House
Ballickmoyler
Co. Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 507 25176
Fax: + 353 (0) 507 25176
Website: www.coolanowle.com
Email: coolanowle@eircom.net

Killamaster House
Killamaster
Co. Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 63654
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 63654
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/killamaster.html
Email: mairinwalsh@eircom.net

Ceatharlach Moorings
Leighlin Road
Graiguecullen
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 42284 or + 353 (0) 86 2526363
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 30434
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/ceatharlachmoor.html

Coolanowle Cottages
Ballickmoyler
Co. Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 507 25176
Fax: + 353 (0) 507 25176
Website: www.coolanowle.com
Email: coolanowle@eircom.net

Leinster Lodge
Athy
Co. Kildare
Tel: + 353 (0) 507 31706
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/leinsterlodge.html
Email: leinsterlodge@tinet.ie

The Mill Holiday Homes
Mill House
Levitstown
Athy
Co. Kildare
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 45385
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 45510
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/mill.html
Email: millhouse@oceanfree.net

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Carlow Castle - The remains of a Norman Castle, built by William de Marshall (1208 A.D. - 1212 A.D.), stands on the eastern bank of the River Barrow. This was once an important military fortress strategically sited on the south-eastern corner of the Pale. The Duke of Clarence removed the seat of Government from Dublin Castle to Carlow Castle together with the treasury. The castle was standing until 1814, when a local doctor tried to remodel the castle as an asylum. In attempting to demolish the interior, he planted explosives at the base of the castle but these not only removed the interior but everything else except the west wall and towers.

Carlow Courthouse is considered to be one of the finest courthouses in the country and was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison in 1830. The Court House gives the impression of being 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 Court House. It was apparently intended for Cork city, but the plans were mixed up and Carlow gained Cork's intended impressive Court House. A cannon from the Crimean War stands on the steps.

St. Patrick's College opened in 1793, was the first post-penal Catholic seminary constructed in Ireland. Like many other institutions of the eighteenth century, it is built in the form of a large country house. The lodge and gates are particularly attractive. Carlow Cathedral is located immediately beside St. Patrick's College.

The Liberty Tree (to the left) commemorates the 1798 rebellion. It was designed by John Behan who has skilfully created a fine memorial and an ambience round which people gather to relax in the Summer months.

On the right - Browneshill Dolmen.

Carlow Brewing Company is housed in The Goods Store, a superb old stone building which in days gone by was the scene of the unloading of provisions for the town traders. Beautifully restored and converted the Visitors Bar is a pleasant setting in which tourists can sample the beers and looks out onto the main brewing area and fermenting vessels.

Carlow Museum
Town Hall
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 40730

Fine museum exhibition which provides a rare glimpse into Carlow's past, with items ranging over many centuries. Managed by the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society, a visit here is a must for visitors interested in local history.

Carlow Superbowl
Lismard Centre
Barrack Street
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 41555

Carlow Superbowl is a state of the art 10-pin bowling centre and boasts the most up to date computerised bowling system in the country. Newly installed kid's bumper system and Glow in the Dark bowling.

Carlow Golf Club
Deerpark
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 31695
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 40065
Website: www.carlowgolfclub.com,
Email: carlowgolfclub@tinet.ie

Originally a deer park attached to the former Bruen Estate, this spectacular 18-hole course near Carlow town is currently ranked 17th in order of merit of great golf courses in Ireland. Extensive, mature woods are a strong feature in a pleasant countryside setting where the unusually sandy soil has the bonus of allowing year round play. Numerous elevated tees, several excellent dog legs and small slick putting surfaces ensure an enjoyable and challenging game.
Type of course: 18 hole parkland
Length: 5974 metres. Par 70.

30 bay floodlit, state of the art golf range set at the foot of the Killeshin Hills and a perfect place for golfers of all standards to relax in tranquil surroundings and to practice and improve their golfing skills. Equipment of the highest standard is provided to ensure a true reflection of the individual's game.

Quinagh House Par 3
Quinagh House
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 42088

At Quinagh House near Carlow town is the 18-hole par 3 golf course. Refreshments and light snacks are available in the clubhouse. Clubs available for hire.

The Ivy Rooms
Hanover
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 32387

16 full size snooker tables. Venue for the 1997 World U-21 Snooker Championship, the 1998 & 1999 Irish Snooker Championship, the 1999 World Billiards Championship and the 2000 Irish Championship. Extensive café serving hot and cold meals all day.

SWIMMING:

Graiguecullen Swimming Pool
Graiguecullen
Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 40330

Graiguecullen Swimming Pool is a fully heated, 25 metre public facility, where visitors are most welcome. Sports therapist and leisure centre on site.

The Tourist Office, College Street is open from 09.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. Monday - Friday and from 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. on Saturdays during the Summer months. The tourist office offers a range of services which ensure you get the most from your trip to Co. Carlow including a convenient booking service for the Carlow area and the rest of Ireland. The office also incorporates a range of locally produced craft items for sale. A range of local publications "Carlow - At the Centre of a Great Holiday", "A Guide to Co. Carlow" and "The South East Holidays Guidebook" are available free of charge while a choice of maps and activity guide books may be purchased.

A number of banks offer ATM's and/or bureau de change facilities including:

A.C.C. Bank, Green Lane, Carlow. Tel: + 353 (0) 503 31045
A.I.B. Bank, 36 Tullow Street, Carlow. Tel: + 353 (0) 503 31079
Bank of Ireland, Court Place, Carlow. Tel: + 353 (0) 503 31676
First Active, Castle Street, Carlow. Tel: + 353 (0) 503 42540

Carlow Tourism homepage