Accommodation in County Carlow

County Carlow has a wide and varied array of accommodation, conveniently spread across the region. All budgets and tastes are catered for, from country guesthouses and B&Bs to the luxurious hotels which are most easily found in Carlow and Tullow. Most of the accommodation options don't have many rooms, so it's best to book as early as possible, particularly around peak times such as New Year's Eve or Saint Patrick's Day, where rooms could be fully booked out many months in advance.

County Carlow information

County Carlow is in Southeast Ireland. Noted for its nature, culture, vibrant nightlife and modern amenities, County Carlow is a pleasant place to visit, where history and contemporary life sit side by side.

The Carlow area has been settled since before the dawn of time, or c. 6,000 B.C. The earliest settlers possessed the tools of their time, usually made of flint, traces of which have since been found and preserved. Carlow's early settlers built monuments around the county which still stand today, like the Browneshill Dolmen which lies 3 km. east of Carlow town.

Image: County Carlow

Towns

Below you will find a list of towns within County Carlow. If a Further information link is available, please click on it to find detailed information including accommodation, restaurants, bars, pubs, shops and more...

Carlow - the county seat and home to 40% of the county's population, boasts some of the best architecture in the country.

Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag) - a picturesque riverside town with 17th and 18th Century architecture, pleasant walkways and gardens under the shadow of Mount Leinster.

Borris - a small traditional village in the south, located in the Barrow Valley, nestled under the Blackstairs Mountains.

Hacketstown - in east Carlow, beneath the Wicklow Mountains, Hacketstown is surrounded by woodland and farmland and has a varied array of walkways.

Leighlinbridge - large village between Carlow and Bagenalstown, on the Barrow Track.

Rathvilly - located along the banks of the Slaney, renowned for its attractive appearance, panoramic views nearby of Mount Leinster and the Wicklow Mountains and its quiet, peaceful setting.

Tullow - located in the northeast of the county, along the River Slaney, an area with strong historical links, most significantly its prehistoric ringfort and burial ground.

Tourist attractions

Carlow town's tourist office is located at the junction where College Street and Tullow Street meet, just across from the AIB Bank. It's in the same building as the County Library, and will help visitors with accommodation, maps etc. It also sells souvenirs and maps for other parts of the country.

County Carlow is home to many fine buildings, backed up by splendid countryside and natural beauty. On a clear day, be sure to go up the Killeshin Hills, where you'll be treated to a spectacular view of Carlow town. It's equally impressive by night.

Items of historical importance are plentiful and are well-kept in museums across the county. In urban areas, summer days can be happily spent in Carlow's award-winning parks, most notably the Oak Park Forest Park and Carlow Town Park.

In August each year, the Carlow Floral Festival takes place. Carlow's status as the "floral county" is recognised in this county-wide gardening, flora and nature extravaganza. The nine-day festival is attended by well-known broadcasters and includes demonstrations, nature trails, workshops, music and entertainment.

Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Carlow - 500-year-old oaks, roses and herbaceous plants fill this sprawling, riverside garden with lake.

Carlow Castle - located near to the River Barrow in County Carlow, Ireland. It was built between 1207 and 1213, and is a National Monument of Ireland - Further information.

Carlow County Museum - a county museum documenting the history of County Carlow. Located on College Street in Carlow town, the building was originally the Presentation Convent which also houses the Carlow Library and Archives

Browneshill Dolmen - a megalithic portal tomb situated 3 km east of Carlow, in County Carlow, Ireland. It lies just off the R726 regional road and is clearly visible from the road.

Huntington Castle - also known as Clonegal Castle, is a castle in Clonegal, County Carlow, Ireland. The structure was originally a "plantation castle", used for defensive purposes during the plantation of the area in the early 17th century

Golf

Carlow is famed for its golf courses, and is within easy reach of facilities in neighbouring counties, like The K Club which hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup. The county itself is home to five high quality facilities, including the Killerig Golf Resort and the Mount Wolseley in Tullow, both of which have four star accommodation on-site.

Recommended accommodation in County Carlow

Below, you will find our recommended County Carlow hotels and guest houses list, a collection of the very best that the county has to offer and you will not be disapointed with a stay in any of these. For your convenience, we have provided links to their websites in addition to a booking link with Booking.com if one is available.

Step House Hotel, Main Street, Borris - Behind the original Georgian features of the Step House Hotel are 20 luxurious bedrooms, designed in a sweeping curve to create panoramic views of rolling countryside as it rises to meet Mount Leinster. Step inside and you'll find original Irish art, elegant furniture, free internet access and a great night's sleep. Open the French doors onto your terrace, and begin your day by breathing in the unspoilt countryside - Visit website - Book now

Kilgraney Country House, Bagenalstown - Kilgraney Suites and Cottages are open for B & B packages from April to September. Kilgraney is a gracious Georgian country house overlooking the Barrow valley and is just ninety minutes by car from Dublin - Visit website - Book now

Recommended restaurants in County Carlow

Step House Hotel, Borris - Dining at the Step House Hotel is a truly unforgettable experience. The exquisitely crafted menus are designed to benefit from local produce emphasising our commitment to organic foods - Visit website