Touring Carlow

Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland. Its county town, Carlow, sits on the river Barrow, Ireland’s second longest. Cruises on the river are a popular activity. There are riverside walks, early 19th century warehouses along the quays, and the scant ruins of a Norman castle. The town puts on an arts festival in June.

The Carlow County Museum, by the tourist office, has 19th and 20th century domestic layouts that include a dairy, kitchen, and forge. The Carlow courthouse, on Dublin Street, is considered one of finest in the country. It was designed by William Morris. Carlow Cathedral, near St Patrick’s College, was begun in 1828 and is in the English Gothic style. Note its slim tower.
Look for the Browne’s Hill portal tomb, a megalithic structure with a 100-ton dolmen capstone on the Rathvilly road, three miles from Carlow. Another well-preserved dolmen, Haroldstown, is located off the R727. Leighlinbridge, on the river Barrow south of Carlow, has a 14th century bridge beside which is a ruined Black castle dated 1547. The town’s flowers and parks have contributed to its tidy village award. Killeshin, west of Carlow, is the site of a national monument: a ruined church, once part of a monastery founded in the 5th century.

Tullow, where many of the buildings are of granite, is the county’s other major town. The museum in the church at the Slaney River Bridge displays historical items of the town. Three miles from Tullow on the road to Shillelagh is Rathgall stone fort, an extensive hillside fortification with 8th century outer walls and medieval inner walls.

South of Tullow, off the N80, is Altamont House and Gardens. In the grounds are formal gardens, a lake area, a wild garden, and an ice age glen overlooking the River Slaney. The house dates from the 18th century with 19th century additions. A tidy town winner, Clonegal, is a historic village set in tree clad hills by a river. It is home to a group of restored weavers’ cottages and Huntington Castle and gardens, rebuilt in 1625.

Myshall, at the foot of Mt Leinster by the Blackstairs Mountains, copied Salisbury Cathedral when building its Adelaide Memorial Church in 1913. From here you can drive up Mt Leinster to the Nine Stones prehistoric grouping.

St Mullins Ecclesiastical complex and Heritage Centre includes a medieval church ruin, the base of a round tower, and a former Church of Ireland church, built in 1811. Saint Moling founded the original monastery, which was plundered by the Vikings in 951, then burned in 1138. An abbey was built on the site in the middle ages. Surviving is a 9th century high cross depicting the crucifixion and domestic medieval buildings. St. Moling's mill and well are a short distance away. The former Catholic church is a heritage centre with local history, maps, photos, and small artefacts. Catch a boat from the village to New Ross for views along the river Barrow.

North of Tullow is Rathvilly, another tidy town award winner, noted for its flower displays. At the crossroads near the village is a large motte. Clonmore, of historic interest, is a former religious community and monastery town, connected with early Christian times. The surrounding area offers scenic landscapes.

Shankhill Castle, on the Carlow/Kilkenny border near Paulstown, is set in parkland. Guided tours are given of the interior. Also near the border is Borris, a heritage town in the river Barrow valley below Blackstairs Mountains. Traditional shopfronts, pubs, and stone buildings contribute to the atmosphere. Bagenalstown offers riverside walks, the 17th century Tudor-Gothic Dunleckney Manor, and the 13th century ruins of Ballyloughan castle. Ruined 14th century Ballymoon castle is three miles east in a field by the L33. Access it via a timber footbridge.