Sights in Carlow Town
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Delta Sensory Gardens
Some 16 interconnecting, themed gardens cover one hectare and span the five senses – from sculpture garden to a formal rose garden, water and woodland garden, willow garden and a musical garden with mechanical fountains. Admission proceeds benefit the adjoining Delta Centre, which provides services and respite for adults with learning disabilities. Find the gardens incongruously hidden in an industrial estate on the northern edge of Carlow.
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Carlow Castle
Built by William de Marshall on the site of an earlier Norman motte-and-bailey fort, this soaring 13-century castle survived Cromwell's attentions. It later succumbed to the grand plans of a certain Dr Middleton, who decided to convert it into a lunatic asylum. Proving the cliché about the lunatics running the asylum, he blew up much of the castle in 1814 in order to 'remodel' it. The evocative portion that survives is a part of the keep flanked by two towers.
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Carlow Courthouse
Walking north along College St then turning left on Dublin St, you'll come to the impressive Carlow Courthouse, at the northern end of Dublin St. Designed by William Morrisson in 1830, this elegant building is modelled on the Parthenon and is considered to be one of the most impressive courthouses in the country. Carlow got it through an administrative mix-up - the building was originally intended for Cork.
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Cathedral of the Assumption
Between the county museum and the college is this elegant Regency Gothic cathedral, which dates from 1833. It was the brainchild of Bishop Doyle, a staunch supporter of Catholic emancipation. His statue inside includes a woman said to represent Ireland rising up against her oppressors. The church also has an elaborate pulpit and some fine stained-glass windows.
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Celtic high cross
Cross the Millennium Bridge and walk across the park to 98 St where you'll find the Celtic high cross that marks the mass Croppies' Grave. Here 640 United Irish rebels were buried following the bloodiest fighting of the 1798 Rising. The name 'croppie' came from the rebels' habit of cropping their hair to indicate their allegiance.
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Carlow Brewing Company
If you're feeling more thirsty than energetic, visit the Carlow Brewing Company. This small microbrewery has been hugely successful since it opened in 1998; its award-winning O'Hara's Celtic Stout bursts with flavour and blows away that other Irish stout. Arrange tours in advance.
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Liberty Tree
Walk up Tullow St, the town's principal shopping thoroughfare, and take the second right into Potato Market. At the end of the lane is a small square. The bronze statue in the middle of the fountain is the Liberty Tree , designed by John Behan to commemorate the 1798 Rising.
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St Mary's Church
From Carlow Castle, continue up Castle Hill and take the fork to your left onto Castle St. On your left you'll see St Mary's Church , built in 1727 (the tower and spire were added in 1834), with a number of statues by Richard Morrison.
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St Patrick's College
Officially known as Carlow College, the main building opened as one of Ireland's first seminaries in 1793. Today it specialises in humanities and social studies and has a student body of 800. The wide grounds, which also front Visual, have a sort of regal, grassy elegance and are dotted with modern sculptures.
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Graiguecullen Bridge
The five-arched Graiguecullen Bridge is thought to be the oldest and lowest bridge over the River Barrow. Cross the bridge and continue east to the ruins of 13th-century Carlow Castle.
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Town Hall
Walk down Dublin St and turn right into Centaur St and past the Town Hall, dating from 1884.
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Visual Centre for Contemporary Art
Opened in 2009, this glowing opaque-white cubelike space on the grounds of St Patrick's College is the county's cultural hub. British architect Terry Pawson scooped the international competition for the purpose-built centre with his factory-inspired industrial design of concrete, steel and glass. Known simply as Visual, its five separate galleries include the 'cathedral', the largest single exhibition space in Ireland. Rotating exhibits highlight local artists. It also houses the George Bernard Shaw Theatre.
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Carlow County Museum
The musty, fusty displays of old are, well, history. This new incarnation of the local museum focuses on the lives of people in the county through the ages. It's thoroughly engaging. Look for ancient treasures, which were often uncovered through the generations by Carlow's toiling farmers. The museum is housed within the solid grey stone walls of an old convent. The museum got a refit in 2011 with pricing and hours not decided at the time of research.
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