Carlow Town
The name is an anglicisation of the Irish Ceatharlach. Historically, it was anglicised as Caherlagh, Caterlagh and Catherlagh, which are closer to the Irish spelling
Carlow town is the county town and which sits on the river Barrow and forms the border with Co.Laois.
Evidence shows that human occupation in the Carlow county area extends back thousands of years. The most notable and dramatic prehistoric site is the Browneshill Dolmen – a megalithic portal tomb just outside Carlow town.
Carlow Castle was constructed by William Marshal, Earl of Striguil and Lord of Leinster, 1207-13, to guard the vital river crossing. It was also to serve as the capital of the Lordship of Ireland from 1361 until 1374. This imposing structure survived largely intact until 1814 when it was mostly destroyed in an attempt to turn the building into a lunatic asylum. The present remains now are the West Wall with two of its cylindrical towers.
The bridge over the river Barrow – Graiguecullen Bridge, is agreed to date to 1569. The original structure was largely replaced and widened in 1815 when it was named Wellington Bridge in celebration of the defeat of Napoleon’s army by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo in June of that year. The bridge was built across a small island in the river and a 19th-century house was constructed on the bridge – this was for a time occupied by the Poor Clares, an enclosed religious order who still have a convent in Graiguecullen.
Carlow industry has come a long way since the early 20th century, when the town became the centre of Ireland’s slow process of industrialisation with the creation of the Irish Sugar Company. The sugar factory opened in 1926 as a private enterprise and was eventually nationalised before reverting to private ownership. It closed on 11 March 2005.
Carlow is home to many indigenous companies who have developed global presences and recognition including Burnside Group and Netwatch. The Institute of Technology Carlow was founded in 1970 and is the 4th largest IT in the country and central to the south east region.
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Good Luck to County Carlow Fire Service at the World Rescue Challenge.
Best of luck to our team of Firefighters who are in Luxembourg this week representing Carlow County Fire Service and Ireland in the World Rescue Challenge. The Carlow team is one of 72 teams from all around the world who will be competing in 5 separate challenges over...
Consultation on Ireland’s Second SDG National Implementation Plan
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has launched the final round of consultation on the draft of Ireland’s Second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) National Implementation Plan. The draft Implementation Plan aims to build on the structures and...
Topline Doyles
Topline DoylesTopline Doyle’s is as old as the GAA, the business first opened its doors in Shamrock Square on St Patricks day, 1884 hence the affectionate locally known nickname “Doyle’s of the Shamrock”. Established by James Doyle, the great grandfather to our...
Local News
THUMBS-UP to the new venue for Carlow FARMERS’ MARKET
CARLOW Farmers’ Market has settled seamlessly into its new surrounds, with customers giving the new location a ringing endorsement, too! Carlow Farmers’ Market has moved to the nearby outdoor venue The Exchange, also located at Potato Market, and held their official...
Carlow Co Co is seeking unoccupied properties to provide temporary accommodation
Carlow County Council is seeking unoccupied properties to provide temporary accommodation to those fleeing war in Ukraine. A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available. Go to offerahome.ie to offer a property or for more information.
Census 2027 Public Consultation
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) would like to advise you that, as part of the preparatory work for Census 2027, a public consultation on the content of the census form opened Wednesday 30th November and will close on Wednesday 21st December 2022. They are inviting...
CARLOW’S TOY SHOW KIDS EARN HUGE PRAISE FOR THEIR FABULOUS STAR TURNS
CARLOW called on the nation to ‘follow the yellow brick road’ last Friday night and almost two million viewers did exactly that! The children from Spotlight Stage School stormed the Late Late Toy Show, earning huge praise for their brilliant performances in the...
Shop Local Campaign
Consumers and businesses in Co Carlow are being encouraged to shop local this Christmas and are reminded of the huge range of goods and services they can access on their own doorsteps as part of the #shoplocalshopcarlow campaign. Colin Duggan, President of County...
County Carlow Library
Join Carlow County Library and avail of all their services in Carlow, Tullow, Muinebheag, Borris and online! Full details at www.carlowlibraries.ie
Carlow Lions Club launch Annual Christmas Food Appeal
Carlow Lions Club is asking people to give generously again this year. The Annual Christmas Food Appeal has been launched with the aim of delivering hundreds of food hampers to local families who need a little help this Christmas. John O’Donovon says you’ll see them...
CHRISTMAS 2022 CAR PARKING ARRANGEMENTS IN CARLOW TOWN
Carlow County Council wish to inform the public of Christmas parking arrangements for Carlow Town Centre for the period of: 1st December 2022 - 3rd January 2023
Public consultation for the levy on single use cups
Public consultation for the levy on single use cups is live https://buff.ly/3A9NTZ7 This consultation has three strands, customers & retailers via survey while other interested parties can submit their views by e-mail to singleuse@decc.gov.ie or by post.
Would you like to promote your food, drink or craft products to last minute festive shoppers? On Thursday 15th December, the Local Enterprise Office is delighted to host a Food, Drink & Craft Fair in the Carlow Exchange. Exhibitors are now requested for the event...