Location: Carlow
Top Things to do in Carlow
What to do and see in Carlow, Ireland: The Best Places and Tips
Carlow (/ˈkɑːr.loʊ/; Irish: Ceatharlach) is the county town of County Carlow, Ireland, in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. At the 2016 census, it had a combined urban and rural population of 24,272. The county of Carlow has a population of 56,932.
Restaurants in Carlow
1. Delta Sensory Gardens
Overall Ratings
5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By PatsyRomford - Romford
Lunch was superb, freshly prepared by friendly staff. However, the Gardens was a magical experience. With water features and so much more. This is a not to be missed experience and we highly recommend it. Well done to all the amazing and talented staff who...MoreThank you so much for taking the time to write such a positive review. All our staff appreciate feedback from our visitors and will be delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with us.
2. Brownshill Dolmen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Megalithic monument thousands of years old.
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Dublin, Ireland
Really enjoyed my visit to the Brownshill Dolmen. It is such a peaceful place located as it is in the middle of a cornfield.
There's a decent sized car park by the roadside and display boards both there and by the Dolmen giving information Bout the site
It is unexcavated and the display tells you that it is 5000 years old with the largest capstone in Ireland, perhaps Europe, weighing 150 tonnes.
There is a tarmacced path leading along the field boundary in from the road which leads to the tomb which is in a fenced off clearing in the middle of the field. A small lawn has been cleared and maintained around the Dolmen with two stone benches for visitors to sit on. You can go right up to, under and around the Dolmen.
It's a fantastic place, totally deserted on my visit and a a result, so peaceful.
Strongly recommended.
3. Duckett's Grove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Duckett’s Grove, the 18th, 19th and early 20th century home of the Duckett family, was formerly at the centre of a 12,000 acre (4,856 hectares) estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove form a romantic profile making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in the country.The first phase of the revival of two old walled Gardens has now been completed by Carlow County Council, the old paths revealed and the beds and borders reinstated. Stylistically the new planting schemes echo the past yet reflect changing fashions, utilising plants and planting patterns that may have evolved over time.The Upper Walled Garden, hedged with boxwood, is planted with historical varieties of shrub roses, a collection of Chinese and Japanese peonies, a great variety of hardy and tender perennials and choice flowering shrubs.The Lower Walled Garden, once the site of the old orchard, contains a selection of fruits, including figs and historical varieties of Irish apples amongst others. The borders also contain a variety of shrubs and perennials all echoing the past history of the Gardens and people associated with Duckett’s Grove. Restored paths and the repaired sunken stone bridge plus plantings of oak, lime, hazel, spindle and laurel rekindle the spirit of the Georgian Pleasure Grounds.
Reviewed By AisleSeatPlease - Boston, MA
My second time stopping at Duckett's Grove. A great mansion in ruins, but you can almost picture the grand lifestyle that must have existed there at some time. The place has been a bit commercialized since my last visit, with a cafe and gift shop now. The house has Gardens that were even still worth the walk through in late October. They must be beautiful in the summer. You can only walk the grounds, no entry into the building itself, but you can peer into the windows and think back to what it must have been like.
4. Rancho Reilly
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Louise_M3 - Ireland
Rancho Reilly is a family friendly site with lots for kids to do. The owners are really helpful and friendly. Huge palyground, petting area, pony rides etc all mean your kids will have plenty to do.
However, as others have said, the lack of curfew really lets the place down as it does attract a certain type of camper. Shouting and rubbish music blaring at 3am doesn't make for peaceful sleep.
The staff in the petting area are really nice but could do with being stricter re the handling of the animals as some of the handling I saw was (unintentionally) cruel.
Most other "family friendly" sites in Ireland could learn a lot from the value offered by Rancho Reilly. You don't feel like you've been mugged. Although, I'm not sure why a self contained motorhome is charged €10 extra compared to a massive tent & a car ??
5. Carlow County Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
The role of Carlow County Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, document and display the history and material culture of the county. County Museums are significant in that they are a home for a county's many historic treasures and they become centres for research, education as well as maintaining high standards of collections care. In Ireland an official County Museum is one that is operated and funded by a Local Authority. Currently there are thirteen County Museums throughout Ireland. The County Museum was developed in partnership with the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society. The Society has been collecting artifacts and archives relating to all aspects of County Carlow's history since the late 1960's. The Society opened a museum in 1974 and it was relocated in 1979 to the former Theatre of the Town Hall, a space provided by Carlow Town Council.The Society will retain a role in the development of the County Museum, through the medium of a Museum Board that will oversee the strategic development and devise the County Museum's policies.
Reviewed By rosieslatt - County Carlow, Ireland
Beautiful old building once convent to the Presentation Sisters in Carlow which now houses Carlow museum. Very interesting place to visit Carlow has lots of history and quite a lot is on show here. Probably most interesting is the beautiful carved pulpit which was removed...MoreThank you so much for your review, the Pulpit really is something special. Glad you enjoyed the peace here it really is a good place to get away from it all for an hour or two.
6. Visual Carlow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Experience your world in a new way. See thought provoking art in the largest gallery space in Ireland. Watch great theatre.Iconic arts centre in the heart of Carlow town, with four world class gallery spaces and a 320-seat performance space.
Reviewed By HowTheTruthHurts - Ireland
Modern & contemporary the Visual is a super place to catch a exhibition, show or gig. Nice bar, friendly staff and a nice overall environment. I try visit as often as I can.Thanks Stephen, We appreciate you reviewing the space for other travellers!
7. Oak Park Forest Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By David S
Great place to go anytime of the year good playground for children too. Benches to sit and have a picnic
8. County Carlow Military Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
County Carlow Military Museum , is open every Sunday 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm since 2001. The Museum is run by a dedicated group of volunteers including local historians and authors. With many unique artifacts there is something for everyone at Co. Carlow Military Museum. We have many displays which include: 1798 rebellion, knights and armor, World War 1 World, War 2 Irish army timeline, Carlovians in uniform, War of Independence, United Nations Peace Keeping and a research area.
Reviewed By QualityQuester - Carlow, Ireland
An interesting journey through items of Carlow military interest. I was very impressed by the display of Myles Keoghs uniform. Myles fell at the battle of the Little Bighorn fighting in the Indian wars, having survived over military actions during his career.
9. Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
10. Milford Mills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Dublin, Ireland
Milford Mills and Lake is such a pretty place to visit. We were there on a tranquil summers evening and it was just idyllic and tranquil.
It was enchanting to stroll along there listening to the birds and the roaring waters and watch the ducks leading their little duckilngs along the water edge and through the waters thenselves.
Wonderful place, we absolutely loved it. Will definitely go back.
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