Carlow Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
town in County Carlow, Leinster, Ireland
About Carlow
This lowland, fertile area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with Brownshill Dolmen the chunkiest relic of prehistory. Carlow's main feature is the River Barrow flowing south towards Waterford. In Irish the town isCeatharlach, "four-legged", referring to livestock that were brought to market here, and swum across the river until the bridge was built in the 16th century. (Another version has it as Ceatharloch, "four lakes", but there's no trace of any such thing.) The Normans fortified the crossing, and from 1361 to 1374 made Carlow their seat of government in Ireland. The town was damaged but not wrecked in the many upheavals of the following centuries, and was able to grow up as a quiet provincial place. It prospered from 1800 when the entire river was made navigable up to Athy,
Top Attractions in Carlow
Explore the best things to see and do in Carlow:
- ★Carlow Cathedral
- ★Carlow County Museum
- ★Carlow Golf Centre
- ★Carlow Golf Club
- ★County Carlow Military Museum
- ★Dome Entertainment Centre
- ★Duckett's Grove
- ★Graiguecullen Swimming Pool
Where to Eat in Carlow
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Brooks Café
- 🍴Café Roma
- 🍴Jasmine Chinese Restaurant
- 🍴Lemongrass
- 🍴Lennon's
- 🍴Lotus
Where to Stay in Carlow
- 🏨Avlon House
- 🏨Barrowville Town House
- 🏨Carlow Guesthouse
- 🏨Coolanowle House
- 🏨Dinn Rí Hotel
- 🏨Green Lane B&B
Carlow Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: