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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Local News
Barrow River Clean-up!
This weekend, Carlow Tidy Towns are delighted to support the An Taisce Clean Coasts Big Beach (River) Clean-Up, supported by Kia Ireland, to help clean up the Barrow river.If anyone would like to volunteer their time, we will meet up this Saturday(20 Sept) at 10.30am...
Give Blood – Save Lives
We're in St. Laurence GAA, Athy - Thursday September 18th. We need at least 3,000 blood donations every week to meet hospital needs. Find your local clinic times at giveblood.info/FindClinic and become a blood donor!
Tai Chi Experience
Join a unique Tai Chi Experience at The Woodford Dolmen Hotel on Sunday, 7th September 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This event is a wonderful opportunity to explore the radiant and life-giving energy of Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and Meditation.Admission is €10.00 per...
Carlow Rivers Clean Up Event, part of the Big Beach Clean Up event is taking place on the 19th to the 21st September.
For County Carlow, the Big Beach Clean Up means a volunteer litter pick along the riverbanks. People you don't need to live anywhere near the coast to get involved. Statistics reveal that litter dropped in towns and cities is the primary cause of marine litter. So, no...
Community Games National Finals
To mark the exciting arrival of the Community Games National Finals in Carlow Town, Carlow County Council is delighted to launch the Shop Local, Shop Carlow Competition — a special initiative to support local businesses and give back to the community! Enter at...
The Carlow Vintage and Classic Motor Club Annual Show is next weekend!
A great day out for all the family, featuring a display of vintage and classic cars and tractors from pre-war to the 1980s, along with Jive with Declan Flanagan, a family fun day, live entertainment, dog show, auto jumble, stalls, and more. Parade through Carlow Town...
Blood Donation Clinic – Carlow
Have you given your summer blood donation yet? There are plenty of opportunities this week! An bhfuil do dheonachán fola samhraidh tugtha agat fós? Tá neart deiseanna ann an tseachtain seo! giveblood.info/Clinics
‘Magnificent seven’ dragons all set to compete at world championships in Germany
SEVEN of Carlow’s dragon boat paddlers are set to make sporting history when Ireland fields its first-ever team at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Germany later this month. The Irish senior women’s dragon boat team will compete at the 17th IDBF...
Did you know Vape and E-Cigarette devices contain lithium batteries and electronic parts?
....both of which should be recycled To recycle your vape or e-cigarette correctly, please ensure: The liquid tank is removed prior to recycling Place the device in one of our WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes As the device may contain lithium batteries, it is important...
FREE recycling in Carlow
Carlow County Council in partnership with WEEE Ireland , who are the national organisation responsible for managing the recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Ireland, are delighted to announce a suite of free WEEE drop off days in communities...