VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

Nestled in sleepy nooks along the Rivers Barrow and Slaney as they meander through undulating valleys are some of the most beautiful country towns and villages in Ireland. Hidden here, waiting to be discovered are secret treasures such as rural museums, open farms, fruit farms and microbreweries.

Ballykeenan Pet & Aviary Farm, Myshall, Co. Carlow.
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 57665
Website: www.carlow-ceb.com/ballykeenan

Enjoy a great day out for all the family with a wide variety of fowl, animals and unusual birds with a feel and touch pet section. There are innumerable attractions at Ballykeenan Pet Farm. The farm-yard is full of ducks, geese, peafowl, turkeys, chickens and dogs. Horses, ponies, deer, goats and sheep all have their homes in the fields, while gerbils, hedgehogs, mice and various exotic birds are housed in the stone outbuildings and paddocks. The farm also features chipmunks and guinea pigs. All visitors to the farm are given a fully guided tour which the McCord familyimbue with an infectious enthusiasm, which enthrals and delights adults and children alike.

Carlow Brewing Company, The Goods Store, Station Road, Carlow.
Tel: +353 (0) 503 34356
Fax: +353 (0) 503 40038
Website: www.carlowbrewing.com
Email: ccb@iol.ie

Carlow was once the traditional malt and hop producing region in Ireland boasting a number of breweries in the county, this practice had been discontinued for over 100 years until its revival in 1998 by Carlow Brewing Company.

The Carlow Brewing Company, a microbrewery located in Carlow town achieved the highest accolade the Brewing Industry has to offer when O'Hara's Celtic Stout won the Championship Trophy and a Gold Medal at the Brewing Industry International Awards in April 2000.
O'Hara's was voted the World's Number 1 Stout above 74 competing products. The award testifies to the fact that beers produced by Carlow Brewing Company are of the highest quality with true international appeal. O'Hara's is one of three beers currently produced by Carlow Brewing Company at the brewery; Curim Gold Celtic wheat beer; Winner of a Silver Medal at the Independent Irish brewers Competition and Molings traditional red ale complete the range. The Beers produced are based on traditional Celtic beer styles and use wholesome ingredients (malt, hops, yeast and water) brewed in the natural process.

The Brewery 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 also provides a unique setting for any private party or function. The bar area looks out onto the main brewing area and the brewing and fermenting vessels. Tours of the brewery are available from May to September by appointment during which the brewing process is explained in detail and after which visitors can relax with a complimentary glass of beer in the bar.

County Carlow Military Museum, Old Church, St. Dympna's, Athy Road, Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 87 2850509
Email: military.museum@ireland.comA fine museum exhibition housed in a late 19th century church. The museum features a wide range of exhibits relating to Carlow military history including the 10th Infantry battalion, Irish UN Peacekeeping in Congo, Lebanon and Somalia, Carlow Militia, Carlow in the Great War and an exhibition of Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th Cavalry killed with General Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Malone's Fruit Farm, Closh, Ballon, Co. Carlow
Tel: + 353 (0) 503 59477
Fax: + 353 (0) 503 59478
Mobile: + 353 (0) 87 2352352

Malone's Fruit Farm is a family run business and consists of 12 acres of soft fruit. A variety of fruits are grown including strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries The farm is a member of the Bord Glas Quality & Hygiene Scheme. Fresh fruit can be purchased on the farm during the main season while frozen fruit and a large selection of homemade jams are available all year round. We also do hampers for Christmas, Easter and special occasions. Guided tours for schools and groups by prior appointment. Individuals welcome all year round.

The Cottage Collection, Ardattin, Tullow, Co. Carlow Tel: +353 (0) 503 55639

A fascinating collection of artefacts, including vintage radios from the early 1920's, wind-up gramophones, sewing machines, toys and house-hold implements. The exhibits are housed in a picturesque cottage where an excellent guided tour is guaranteed at all times.

The Weavers Cottages, Clonegal, Co. Carlow

The Durdan or Weavers Cottages were built by Alexander Durdan in the late 17th century and inhabited by weavers, when weaving was at its height. Set facing onto the main street of the village of Clonegal, there were at one time, six cottages in the row. The development now comprises a pair of semi-detached, two-bay, single storey dormer cottages with attic conversion. The cottages now feature demonstrations of spinning and weaving.