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
Christmas Parking 2025
Please find information on the Christmas 2025 Car Parking arrangements in Carlow Town
Uisce Éireann offers advice to help households and businesses prepare for freezing conditions and protect water supplies this winter
With temperatures beginning to drop and the first frosts of winter due this week, Uisce Éireann is offering advice on how to avoid the inconvenience and expense of burst pipes and water outages during cold weather. Water expands by nearly 10% when frozen, which can...
Charity Event – Reiki & Massage for Cancer Patients
CHARITY EVENT:Reiki and Massage for Cancer Patients and people with severe anxiety and Depression25/10/25 from 11am to 4pmCALM Day Spa and Retreat CentreEntry: Donation BasisReserve your place via WhatsApp 087-1481302 - Dr André LuizLocal: Kildavin, Co. CarlowEircode:...
Outrun Hunger – 2nd Annual Event
This year’s Outrun Hunger race will take place in Oak Park on Saturday, October 18th. We will have a 5K and a 10K race. The business community’s generosity last year quite literally kept the lights on. We are asking for your support once again so that this vital...
Mensana Fest 2025
Mental Health Ireland are running FREE webinar series through out the month of October. Booking is Required Where can I get more information? Scan the QR Code below for more information or go to https://www.eventbrite.ie/.../mental-health-ireland... // Mensana...
National FIRE Safety week
We kick off National FIRE Safety week by hosting the next Carlow Older Person's Councils Coffee Morning at our HQ FIRE Station in Carlow Town. Monday 13th October 2025 11am to 1pm Carlow Town FIRE Station, Green Lane, Carlow Come meet our firefighters learn about fire...
Athletics for all, SETU Carlow, 22nd November
Athletics for all - Adaptive track and field Tickets, Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
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...