Things to do 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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Lautrec’s Brasserie
The Carlow branch of the Kilkenny original, the candlelit Lautrec’s is named after the artist (replete with his poster of the red-scarf-clad chansonnier Aristide Bruant mounted on the roof). Creative bistro fare includes monkfish and tiger prawn curry, or Cajun blackened salmon.
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Beams Restaurant
Housed in an 18th-century coach house replete with massive wooden beams, this one-day-a-week charmer is undoubtedly the county's best source for finely crafted exquisite French cuisine, albeit with an Irish accent. The extensive wine list draws on the stock of the subsidiary wine shop.
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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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Lennon's Café Bar
Trendy and stylish, Lennon's is sure sign that the times may be a-changin' in Carlow. Liam and Sinéad Byrne run a pub that's really an excuse to serve healthy fresh food at great prices. Sandwiches, salads, hot mains and the creative dinners avoid the predictable.
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Cafés & Clubs
Watch for new cafés opening in the centre. This is the nightlife hub for those stuck out in the sticks; ask around to find out what the clubs of the moment are. There's usually something on along Tullow St and Thursday night is popular for live music.
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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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Caffe Formenti
This buzzing cafe combines the talents of an Irish-Italian husband-and-wife team. In addition to daily lunch specials and wholesome soups, there's a tempting selection of Italian pastries, freshly made gelati (yum!) and aromatic coffees.
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Hennessy's Fine Foods
A worthy stop for a meal or a gourmet grocery picnic (local cheeses, red onion marmalade, chilli jam, red pepper pesto and so on). The vast range of savoury baked goods are filling treats.
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Askea Country Market
On Fridays, over 20 producers sell breads, tarts and preserves, free-range and duck eggs, butter, fruit and veg, flowers, and arts and crafts at the Askea Country Market.
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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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Adventure Canoeing Days
The River Barrow is popular with canoeists, kayakers and rowers. Adventure Canoeing Days does weekend trips that tackle the rather tame white water and rents canoes. Book in advance.
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Farmers Market
Carlow’s farmers market fittingly sets up on the Potato Market – look out for Tom Malone’s mouth-watering freshly made jams and juices.
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Tullow St
Dublin St is the city's principal north-south axis,with Tullow St, the main shopping street, running off it at a right angle.
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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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Lennons
Carlow's best dining is found amid the artsy surrounds of Visual. It's a sleek and appropriately stylish space, with a wide patio outside where you can see sculpture on the college's grassy grounds. Lunch features creative sandwiches, salads and hot specials. Dinner is more refined with a seasonal menu that emphasises the organic. Excellent wine list and a chic bar area.
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Farmers Market
Fittingly held on the Potato Market – look out for Tom Malone's mouth-watering freshly made jams and juices as well as Hennessy's baked goods and much, much more.
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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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