Discover County Carlow

County Carlow brings together millennia-old traces of the past, historic sites and a variety of ways to explore actively. You can get to know the region through its culture, explore gardens and forests, or make a route the focus of your stay. When choosing a holiday rental, it is therefore worth first considering which of these experiences you want to shape your trip.

History at special sites

Brownshill Dolmen is an impressive example of early Neolithic construction. Its granite capstone is believed to weigh more than 100 tonnes and is considered the largest of its kind in Europe. The monument is thought to be between 4,900 and 5,500 years old. If you are interested in early construction history, this dolmen offers a tangible starting point for exploring County Carlow’s long past.

St Mullins also brings together several historical remains: its ecclesiastical ruins include five churches and the remains of a round tower. The site is an early Christian settlement. Another early Christian site is Clonmore in the northeastern part of the county. In Carlow Town, the self-guided Carlow Town Heritage Trail leads through the history and heritage of the medieval town. The Carlow County Museum complements such visits with four galleries, where archaeologically, historically and culturally significant objects illustrate the history of County Carlow through the centuries. Free guided tours of Duckett’s Grove are offered Friday to Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm.

Choose routes and landscapes thoughtfully

Those who prefer to explore the area on the move will find a range of routes in different formats. The 75 km Mount Leinster Heritage Drive passes through the rural landscape in the south of County Carlow and through Borris, Bunclody, Clonegal, Kildavin, Myshall, Fennagh and Bagenalstown. It is signposted with distinctive road signs; large information boards with additional details are located in the centres of each village and town. The route is therefore well suited as the main focus of a drive through the countryside and several towns.

The Barrow Way is a 113 km trail from County Kildare to the monastic village of St Mullins in the south of County Carlow. It follows the towpath along the River Barrow. The South Leinster Way starts in Kildavin in the east of County Carlow and leads to Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary. Those interested in the history of the monk St Columbanus can also explore the Columban Way in County Carlow, which allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the sixth-century Irish monk. The route leads from the early Christian site of St Mullins along the Barrow Way.

Gardens, woodland trails and shared experiences

The Delta Sensory Gardens comprise 16 interconnected gardens across 2.5 acres. Their design engages the five basic human senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. If you want to plan gardens specifically into your trip, the Carlow Garden Trail currently features 21 different garden attractions, as well as three more gardens in the neighbouring counties of Kildare and Wexford.

For nature experiences, Blackstairs Eco Trails offers mountain walks, a Celtic Tree Trail and workshops on foraging for edible wild plants. A hands-on workshop takes you into forests, fields and hedgerows to look for safe wild foods. The signposted 3 km Windfarm Loop is in the Kilbrannish Forest Recreation Area North in the Blackstairs Mountains and is suitable for families with young children. Gowlin Forest has two trails, 2 km and 4 km long. Along these trails, visitors can spot deer, squirrels, kestrels, buzzards and feral goats.

Shared activities can also be part of your trip planning: The Chocolate Garden of Ireland offers chocolate-making sessions and workshops. Online bookings are available; groups of 15 or more should book by phone. There is also a free play area for younger children. When looking for a holiday rental, you can therefore first consider whether culture, longer trails, woodland and nature, or activities such as chocolate workshops should be the focus of your stay.

Places in County Carlow

For further guidance around County Carlow: Leighlinbridge Leighlinbridge, Bunclody Bunclody, Killerig Killerig, Carlow Carlow, Tullow Tullow, Ballon Ballon, Muine Bheag Muine Bheag, Rathvilly Rathvilly, Borris Borris and Hacketstown Hacketstown.

For the broader travel overview: Leinster.