Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Carlow, Ireland

The County Town of Carlow is situated in a region of Ireland that has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the remarkable Brownshill Dolmen.

This Neolithic portal tomb, located on the periphery of the town, is adorned with an enormous granite capstone, reputedly the heaviest in Europe.

Visitors can explore distinguished estates on the outskirts of Carlow, such as Duckett’s Grove, which features the ethereal ruins of a Gothic Revival residence that was destroyed by fire in 1933. Although not particularly developed for tourism, Carlow possesses authentic charm, especially along the banks of the River Barrow and in the historical center at Montgomery and Burrin Streets, characterized by rows of Georgian architecture.

From this era, there is also a striking Gothic Revival cathedral and a courthouse reminiscent of an Ionic temple.

Let’s examine the top attractions in Carlow:

1. Brownshill Dolmen

A remarkable example of prehistoric engineering, the Brownshill Dolmen is recognized as an Irish National Monument and serves as a significant local landmark.

This megalithic portal tomb dates back approximately 6,000 years and was utilized for around 2,500 years.

The colossal granite capstone that forms the roof of the structure weighs more than 100 tons and is believed to hold the title of the heaviest capstone in Europe.

When the dolmen was originally constructed, it would have been entirely covered by an earthen mound, and the entrance remains sealed with the original gatestone.

A degree of mystique surrounds the dolmen, as it has never been subjected to formal excavation.

2. Carlow Cathedral

A prominent feature of Carlow, the town’s cathedral was consecrated in 1833 and is distinguished by its magnificent Neo-Gothic spire and lantern.

Reaching a height of 46 metres, this structure was designed by the Gothic Revival pioneer Thomas Cobden, drawing inspiration from the Belfry of Bruges in Belgium.

The facade and spire are constructed from an enchanting blue-grey stone sourced from a quarry on the Carlow-Tullow Road.

The nearby Oak Park estate owner, Colonel Bruen, also contributed the oak for the cathedral’s impressive framed roof.

The cathedral is dedicated to Dr. James Doyle, a former Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, who passed away in 1834. His marble memorial statue was sculpted by John Hogan and carved in Rome in 1839.

3. Duckett’s Grove

For over three centuries, the Duckett family presided over the Carlow countryside east of the town.

Their estate spanned 8,000 hectares, and in the early 19th century, John Davidson Duckett commissioned a Gothic Revival castellated residence.

The last male descendant of the Duckett family passed away in 1908, and the house was subsequently devastated by fire in 1933. The walls remain largely intact, adorned with castellations, window traceries, turrets, and bartizans.

The courtyard features tea rooms where visitors can immerse themselves in this somewhat surreal landscape, while the restored walled garden boasts flowering shrubs, historical rose varieties, and exotic peonies, all trimmed with boxwood hedges.

The gardens benefit from a warm microclimate, allowing an ornamental species of banana to flourish.

4. Carlow County Museum

Located in Carlow’s Cultural Quarter, which also houses the tourist office, county library, and archive, this museum offers insights into the county’s rich history.

Housed in the former Presentation Convent, a highlight is the 19th-century carved pulpit from Carlow Cathedral.

This intricately adorned pulpit featured in the publication, “A History of Ireland in 100 Objects” in 2013 and was removed from the cathedral for preservation during renovations in the 1990s.

Additional curiosities include the trapdoor from the gallows at Carlow Gaol and a pipe belonging to the Irish soldier Captain Myles Keogh, who perished at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana in 1876. Exhibitions about John Tyndall, a physicist from Carlow who first demonstrated the Greenhouse Effect, are also worth exploring.

5. VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art

Carlow’s contemporary arts center is an impressive modern building designed by Terry Pawson architects and completed in 2009. Featuring a series of cubes, the structure is clad in opaque glass panels that emit a glow at night and rests on a concrete base.

As the name suggests, the center emphasizes visual art and contains four high-quality galleries.

In April 2018, the key exhibition was “Ttopology” by installation artist Dennis McNulty, showcasing both new and retrospective works complemented by “Totally Topological,” a space designed for children to play and engage creatively, inspired by McNulty’s art.

The center’s state-of-the-art, 320-seat George Bernard Shaw Theatre also hosts performances by musicians and comedians touring Ireland.

6. Carlow Courthouse

Resembling a Greek temple amidst the city, Carlow’s magnificent Neoclassical courthouse was finalized in 1834 and received partial funding from the Bruen family.

Designed by architect William Vitruvius Morrison, the courthouse features a neat exterior, while beneath it lies a complex network of tunnels and cells.

The most distinctive feature is the portico, supported by two rows of Ionic columns.

In front, a cannon that saw service during the Crimean War (1853-1856) is displayed on the plinth.

7. Delta Sensory Gardens

Located on the northern outskirts of Carlow, this showcase garden is part of a center that sells plants and garden ornaments.

While this may sound unremarkable, the gardens are truly extraordinary.

Within a hectare, there are 16 interconnected sections, meticulously maintained and adorned with whimsical sculptures, waterfalls, ponds, borders, pergolas, and fountains.

A plethora of inspiration is available for amateur horticulturists, and it is delightful to observe the seasonal transformations of the gardens, from spring’s tulips and daffodils to the autumn colors of beech hedges.

One special feature that merits attention is the kugel fountain, which boasts a one-ton solid marble ball appearing to float in water.

8. Carlow Castle

Only the west wall and two towers of this medieval fortress remain; however, they are sufficient to convey the scale of Carlow Castle at the height of its prominence.

Construction of the castle began in the early 1210s, likely under the direction of the English nobleman William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke.

The site has a tumultuous history, having experienced various ownership changes before being assaulted by the forces of Oliver Cromwell in 1650. Despite its enduring hardship, it was a physician who ultimately sealed Carlow Castle’s fate when the walls and keep were detonated to pave the way for an asylum in 1814.

9. County Carlow Military Museum

Located within the church grounds of St. Dympna’s Hospital, this museum chronicles the military history of County Carlow.

Originating from a collection of military memorabilia assembled in memory of Donie Cunningham, a soldier killed in a helicopter accident in 1996, the museum has since expanded to provide a thorough overview of Carlow’s involvement in World War I, the Irish War of Independence, and the Irish Civil War.

Visitors can examine displays that recreate a medieval battle scene and a trench from World War I, as well as learn about Irish participation in UN peacekeeping missions to Somalia, Lebanon, and Congo.

Among the most notable original artifacts is a Brown Bess musket from the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

10. Huntington Castle

During the summer months, visitors can tour this 17th-century Plantation-era residence.

The castle succeeded an earlier stronghold belonging to the Caviness clan and was constructed by Baron Osmonde beginning in 1625. Huntington Castle was captured by Oliver Cromwell during his Conquest of Ireland in 1650 due to its strategic location along the road from Dublin to Wexford.

Film enthusiasts will be pleased to discover that scenes from Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon were filmed here in 1975. The lime tree avenue, parterre, Yew Walk, and the estate’s fish ponds remain much as they were originally designed by the Esmondes in the 17th century.

Tours include insights into the kitchens, drawing room, a temple of Isis located in the old dungeons, and the sacred well of St. Brigid.

Adjacent to the lake are Ireland’s oldest hydroelectric turbines, which have provided power to the castle since 1888.

11. Oak Park Forest Park

Adjoining Carlow Golf Club, Oak Park occupies a historic estate that belonged to the landowning Bruen family for over two centuries.

Approximately 50 hectares are currently managed by the Carlow Tourist Office, featuring mixed hardwood woodland interlaced with circular color-coded walking paths.

The 800-meter Lake Path leads visitors to the estate’s ponds, home to swans, ducks, and various game birds nesting on nearby islands.

The park recently received an Irish Forestry Award for its facilities, which include a bat sanctuary, picnic area, and outdoor exercise stations located along the trails.

12. Rancho Reilly

Situated in the Carlow countryside, Rancho Reilly is an interactive activity center set on four acres of farmland.

The central attraction is a pet farm, housing ponies, miniature goats, rabbits, cows, reindeer, pot-bellied pigs, and various birds.

Children have the opportunity to interact with many of the animals and engage in a variety of entertaining activities.

These activities include riding on a barrel train, jumping on sunken trampolines, racing go-karts, navigating obstacle courses, and playing on a miniature golf course.

Rancho Reilly hosts thematic events during Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, and features a café serving homemade meals and snacks.

13. Chocolate Garden of Ireland

In the village of Rath, visitors can step into an authentic chocolate and ice cream factory.

Guests can participate in a half-hour guided workshop to create their own chocolate mold, and while waiting for it to set, they’ll enjoy one of the factory’s ice creams.

Cocoa enthusiasts can enhance their understanding of chocolate through more advanced workshops available by prior arrangement.

Spanning more than three hours, the “Introduction to Chocolate Making” course teaches the intricacies of making ganache, piping techniques, tempering, and professional methods for storing and presenting chocolate.

14. Walsh Whiskey Distillery

Located on the 18th-century Royal Oak estate, the Walsh Whiskey Distillery welcomes visitors for tours that showcase the craftsmanship behind premium Irish whiskey production.

As one of the largest operational distilleries in Ireland, Walsh stands out for its fully manual process, producing all three varieties of Irish whiskey: malt, grain, and pot still.

Writers’ Tears and the Irishman are distilled here, both of which have received multiple accolades.

All ingredients for Walsh’s whiskey are sourced locally, benefiting from Carlow’s abundant barley supplies, while the distillery sits above a 200-million-litre aquifer.

After the tour, guests can explore the estate, including the recently restored Holloden House, built in 1755.

15. Milford Mills

A notable segment of local history lies along the River Barrow just beyond Carlow.

In a picturesque waterside setting at Milford are the namesake mills, a fortified complex dating back to the end of the 18th century.

Initially, these water-powered mills produced wheat and corn flour and processed barley into malt for export to Liverpool and Manchester.

However, in 1891, the principal mill was transformed into an electric power station.

Thus, Carlow became the first town in Ireland or Britain to generate electric power.

The facility remains operational after being recommissioned in the 1990s.