Looking for a perfect holiday destination in Ireland? There’s more to Ireland than Dublin, Cork, and Galway. For instance, the countryside of Ireland’s southeastern corner comprised of Kilkenny, Wexford, and Carlow is where vibrant history and modern life meet.
Kilkenny is packed with charming medieval towns, historic sites, and flourishing arts, crafts, and festivals scene. The county also boasts its Medieval Mile, a discovery trail that links the Anglo-Norman Kilkenny Castle and the 13th-century St. Canice’s Cathedral, with lots of attractions and landmarks in between. Wexford, likewise, is a county town with a string of heritage sites, from impressive castles to ruined abbeys. It is also home to a wide array of sandy beaches, alluring arboretums, and other scenic natural spaces.
But what about Carlow?
Locals and tourists alike might think, “nothing is exciting about Carlow so why pay a visit in the first place?” Well, hold our foamy pint of O’Hara for a second because we’re about to give you plenty of reasons why Carlow is worth discovering. Other than its world-famous Brownshill Dolmen and other historical and archaeological artefacts, Carlow is home to a lot of hidden gems that’ll tickle every fancy.
From scenic walks and viewing spots to old-world pubs and breweries, here are 7 local-approved things to enjoy in Carlow.
1. Visit the little village of St. Mullins
On the east bank of Barrow in County Carlow and in between Blackstairs Mountains and Brandon Hill, you can visit a gorgeous tiny village called St. Mullins.
The picturesque village prides itself on being the centre for so many glorious walks that make up Ireland’s Ancient East. Its dwellings are strategically arranged at the bottom of a valley around the village green, with a dome-shaped castle earthwork on the opposite side. A monastery founded by St. Moling in 696, consisting of the ecclesiastical remnants of a medieval church and a round tower’s stump, lies just behind the dome earthwork.
2. Start your day right at Mullichain Café
Planning to fuel up for your Carlow adventure? Walk no further — St. Mullins is proud of its locally-owned Mullichain Café. The cafe, housed in a restored 18th-century storehouse, offers some of the tastiest coffees and brunch options right on the bank of the River Barrow.
If you’re planning to explore afterward, Mullichain Café’s website also takes you through a host of different routes starting from the local area, which covers up to 60km of natural scenic tours.
3. Glide along the River Barrow
Not sure whether to go on a laidback vacation or an activity-filled one? Consider the River Barrow as a perfect base for your trip so you may enjoy the best of both worlds.
You can stay in a charming 4-star Carlow Hotel set on the beautiful banks of the River Barrow and have a relaxing picnic. Not enough to keep you amused? If you don’t mind getting splashed by the rapids, you can check out the Go With The Flow tours and glide along the river, with lots of amazing things to see and do en route.
4. Discover the Brownshill Dolmen
Want to travel back to the 4,000 BCE? A stone’s throw from Carlow Town (pun intended) is Brownshill Domen, an enormous megalithic portal tomb that dates back over 4,900 to 5,500 years. The prehistoric dolmen weighs an estimated 103 tonnes and was built by the first farmers in Ireland.
Brownshill Dolmen is surrounded by tranquil, green meadows — a perfect destination for tourists and locals who are looking for a quiet, off-the-beaten-path adventure.
5. Sample Irish craft beers at Carlow Brewing Company
Forget Dublin’s Guinness and Guinness Storehouse when in Carlow. Instead, lay your eye on Carlow Brewing Company, which is one of the pioneers of Irish craft brewing.
Also known as O’Hara’s Brewery, Carlow Brewing Company takes you on a journey through Ireland’s craft brewing history. You’ll learn more about the brewing process of their award-winning beers. You’ll also get the chance to taste the malts and sample the beers masterfully brewed on-site. Cheers.
6. Explore Carlow Town and Cultural Quarter
Let’s dive into a bit of history and culture, shall we? Carlow Town is the best place to be. The small but archival town is home to museums, castles, cathedrals, and other must-see attractions.
Enjoy the tastes and smells of Carlow Farmers Market. Be blown away by the extensive collection of historic items, artefacts, and archives housed in the Carlow Museum. After the museum tour, make your way toward the stunning 19th-century Carlow Cathedral, standing over a hundred and fifty feet tall in the middle of town.
Don’t leave without visiting the Carlow Castle, perched on the banks of the River Barrow flowing through the town. The castle built in the early 1200s stands towering above the windy streets below.
7. Visit Huntington Castle (also known as Clonegal Castle)
An impressive 17th-century castle, with an ornamental lawn full of perennials, shrubs, and trees, plus a relaxing fish pond — if this is your idea of a perfect family getaway, then visiting Huntington Castle is a must.
The castle built in 1625 is comprised of stunning buildings, gardens, and tea rooms. And, sssh, it’s haunted too. If you’re a paranormal fanatic, you’d surely love to hear all about its spooky history on your guided tour on the grounds. We won’t spoil the details for you.
8. Marvel at panoramic views at Nine Stones View Point
Want to marvel at the unparalleled vistas of the Carlow countryside? The Nine Stones View Point is the perfect place to do so. The viewpoint sits at the foot of Mount Leinster, the tallest of the Blackstairs Mountain Range. Here, you’ll see not only the panoramic views of Carlow countryside but also up to eight surrounding counties. You may also spot the mountain ranges in west Wales on a clear day.
If you’re planning to have a thrilling hike, the viewpoint is a great starting point along the route to the summit of Mount Leinster.