Things to Do in County Carlow: Ireland’s Former Capital

County Carlow is Ireland's second-smallest county, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character. Situated in the sunny southeast of Leinster, Carlow boasts a fascinating history dating back to pre-Christian times. 

Once the capital of Ireland, Carlow was home to the powerful McMurrough Kavanagh dynasty who ruled Leinster for over 500 years, giving Carlow a distinct political importance that larger counties often lacked.

Unlike its neighbors Kilkenny and Wicklow, Carlow's landscape blends rolling farmland and dramatic mountain scenery without the tourist crowds. The county's position along the River Barrow—Ireland's second-longest river after the Shannon—created a strategic importance that's evident in its impressive castles and monastic sites. 

County Carlow's Top Attractions

Altamont Gardens

Often referred to as "the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown," Altamont Gardens stretches over 40 acres with a stunning mix of formal and informal gardens. The late Corona North developed these gardens over decades, creating spaces that change dramatically with the seasons. Over 100,000 people visited this site last year.

Visitor Info: Allow 2-3 hours to see Altamont Gardens. Spring brings spectacular snowdrops (February) while summer showcases the rose garden and herbaceous borders. Unlike Powerscourt in Wicklow, Altamont offers a more intimate, less commercial experience with free admission (€2 parking fee).

Browne's Hill Dolmen

Another of Carlow's attractions, this prehistoric portal tomb boasts the largest capstone in Europe, weighing an estimated 100 tons. Dating back to 3000-2000 BC, it's a remarkable engineering feat that predates the Egyptian pyramids.

Visitor Info: Located just outside Carlow town, a visit takes about 30-45 minutes. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best lighting for photography. Unlike Newgrange in Meath, Browne's Hill offers unrestricted access without the need for tour bookings.

Duckett's Grove

These dramatic Gothic ruins of a 19th-century great house are surrounded by restored gardens and parkland. The castellated mansion was the centerpiece of a 12,000-acre estate, and its distinctive silhouette has made it a favorite filming location.

Visitor Info: Spend 1-2 hours exploring Duckett's Grove. The site is most atmospheric in late afternoon when the sun casts long shadows across the ruins. Weekend afternoons often feature artisan markets during summer months.

Delta Sensory Gardens

A series of 16 interconnected gardens designed to stimulate all five senses. The therapeutic and recreational gardens include water features, sculptures, and carefully selected plantings that create different sensory experiences.

Visitor Info: Allow 1-2 hours. Unlike the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, Delta focuses specifically on sensory experiences and accessibility, making it ideal for visitors with disabilities. The gardens are at their peak from May through September.

Huntington Castle

This 17th-century castle remains a private residence of the Durdin-Robertson family. The castle features fascinating interiors, including the Temple of Isis in the basement, established by family members who founded the Fellowship of Isis.

Visitor Info: Open weekends and bank holidays from May to September. Tours take approximately 45 minutes. Compare this to Kilkenny Castle—while smaller, Huntington offers a more eccentric and personal experience of a lived-in historic home.

County Carlow's Hidden Gems

Clashganny Lock

This picturesque spot on the River Barrow offers one of the most beautiful sections of the Barrow Way walking trail. The 19th-century lock is still operational, and the adjacent weir creates a serene soundscape.

Local canoeists know this as one of the best training spots in Leinster—Ireland's Olympic medalist paddlers have trained here for decades. The riverside path features ancient milestone markers that once guided horse-drawn barges, with distance measurements that predate metric conversion.

St. Mullins Monastic Site

This quiet riverside village holds one of Ireland's most significant early Christian sites, dating back to the 7th century. The remains include a round tower base, church ruins, and a remarkable collection of ancient gravestones.

What most tourists don't realize is that St. Mullins hosts one of Ireland's oldest continuous patterns (religious gatherings)—the annual July 25th festivities have continued unbroken for over 1,200 years. The nearby Mullicháin Café occupies a restored lock keeper's cottage and serves what locals consider the best coffee in the county.

The Nine Stones

High on Mount Leinster (if you can call it a mountain), these mysterious standing stones offer nice views across five counties. Despite their name, only eight stones are visible.

Carlow folklore claims the ninth stone can only be seen by those with pure intentions. Farmers in the area still follow the ancient practice of leaving small offerings at certain times of year—a tradition that dates back to pre-Christian Ireland.

The Blackstairs Mountains

These underappreciated Blackstairs  mountains along Carlow's eastern border offer excellent hiking without the crowds you'll find in Wicklow. The Blackstairs Challenge Walk is an annual event that tests even experienced hikers.

Local shepherds still use traditional methods in these mountains, and if you're lucky, you might catch sight of the rare Blackstairs sheep dog trials that typically don't make it into tourist guides. The mountain slopes feature "booley houses"—ancient seasonal dwellings used by farmers who brought livestock to upland pastures during summer months.

Event Calendar for Carlow Activities

Spring

Carlow Garden Festival (April-May) A celebration of the county's horticultural heritage featuring garden tours, workshops, and talks by experts. The festival takes advantage of Carlow's reputation as the "garden county" of Leinster.

Carlow Arts Festival (June) Ireland's oldest multi-disciplinary arts festival brings music, theater, visual arts, and literature to various venues across Carlow town.

Summer

Strawberry Fair (July) Borris village transforms for this traditional fair celebrating the local strawberry harvest with music, craft stalls, and family activities.

Carlow Regatta (August) Rowing crews from across Ireland compete on the River Barrow in one of Ireland's oldest sporting events, dating back to 1859.

Autumn

Carlow Harvest Festival (September) A celebration of local food and craft with markets, demonstrations, and tastings throughout Carlow town.

Bagenalstown Agricultural Show (October) A traditional agricultural show featuring livestock competitions, equestrian events, and rural crafts.

Winter

Carlow Christmas Festival (December) The county town lights up with markets, performances, and family events throughout the festive season.

Tullow Agricultural Show (January) Unlike most agricultural shows held in summer, this winter event focuses on indoor competitions and crafts.

Family Activities

Rancho Reilly Pet Farm

This family-run farm near Tullow offers close encounters with animals ranging from traditional farm animals to more exotic species. Kids can enjoy pony rides, playground facilities, and go-karts. See here

Suitable for: Ages 2-12 Time needed: 2-3 hours

Carlow Town Park

This riverside park features excellent playground facilities, walking paths, and wildflower meadows. The adjacent Barrow Track offers a traffic-free cycling route ideal for families with older children. See here

Suitable for: All ages Time needed: 1-3 hours

Visual Centre for Contemporary Art

For creative families, this modern art center offers regular workshops for children and teens. The building itself is architecturally impressive and houses changing exhibitions.

Suitable for: Ages 6+ Time needed: 1-2 hours

Rathwood

This all-weather destination combines shopping, dining, and activities including a maze, train rides, and seasonal events like the Halloween Spooky Train and Christmas Santa Experience.

Suitable for: All ages Time needed: Half-day or longer

Oak Park Forest Park

Featuring 4km of walking trails through mature woodland, this forest park includes a playground, lake, and magnificent specimen trees. The color-coded trails make it easy for families to choose routes suitable for different abilities.

Suitable for: All ages Time needed: 1-3 hours

Local Carlow Business Highlights

Lennons @ Visual

This contemporary restaurant combines art and dining with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. Their signature dish is Carlow rack of lamb with foraged herbs and vegetables from local growers.

Teach Dolmain

This traditional pub in Carlow town serves excellent food alongside a wide selection of craft beers. Don't miss their Carlow beef burger topped with local Knockanore cheese and served with twice-cooked chips.

The Mullicháin Café

Located in a restored lock keeper's cottage along the River Barrow in St. Mullins, this café serves homemade cakes and hearty lunches. Their signature "Barrow Boatman's Breakfast" fuels many a kayaker and walker exploring the river..

Made in Carlow

Made in Carlow features work from local artists and craftspeople. Look for hand-carved wooden bowls made from storm-felled trees from Altamont Gardens and unique jewelry inspired by Carlow's ancient monuments.

What Should You Do In Carlow?

Altamont Gardens and the Blackstairs Mountains are two highlights. County Carlow doesn’t have the tourist trappings of better-known Leinster known spots, which is a good thing! From ancient monuments to contemporary art, riverside walks to mountain hikes, there's something for every interest.

Now, check out our guide about things to do in County Wicklow.