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
County Carlow Heritage Seminar
Carlow Heritage Office invites those with an interest in the Heritage of County Carlow to attend the inaugural County Carlow Heritage Seminar in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Athy Road, Carlow town on Saturday 13 April from 9:30am. Presentations cover built, natural and...
LOWER TULLOW STREET TO GO CAR-FREE FOR 12 DAYS
A PILOT pedestrian scheme is to be trialed along Lower Tullow Street on a number of days over the next three months. The road will be closed to allow for various activities/interventions to increase footfall and promote business within the area. The pilot...
50th Pan Celtic International Festival
The Pan Celtic International Festival is just around the corner! The 50th International Pan Celtic Festival is a celebration of the Celtic cultures of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Isle of Man and Cornwall in music, song, dance, languages, costumes, sport and...
New Sport and Physical Activity plan for Carlow
Carlow County Council is leading an initiative to co-design a new local Plan focused on improving levels of participation in sport, physical activity, and recreation in Carlow. 4 events to hear from the public to help shape this plan will take place on the following...
Free Entry into OPW Heritage Sites on the first Wednesday of the Month
Don't forget that the first Wednesday of this month (that's tomorrow) is FREE ENTRY to a range of OPW Heritage sites. For a full list of site opening times & T&Cs go to: Heritage Ireland (20+) Facebook (20+) Facebook
School Transport 2024 / 2025
Please note that the School Transport Family Portal will be closed from Tuesday February 20th 2024 to facilitate the changeover for the new School Year. Applications for the upcoming school year will open towards the end of this month. Further details will be advised...
Recruitment, Training and Advice Fair
Are you looking for work, to change career or simply seeing what's available check this out
Residential Zoned Land Tax – Annual Draft
Submissions can be made by the public on the Residential Zoned Land Tax annual draft map until 1st April 2024. Find full details at https://buff.ly/3Oxq0Sq
Open Day – Thursday, 7th March 2024 from 10am – 1pm. St Patricks College Carlow
Our next Open Event is our Spring Open Day scheduled for Thursday, 7th March 2024 from 10am – 1pm. Come and visit us on-campus for Programme talks Tour the campus Chat to academic, admissions and student support staff, and experience what makes Carlow College so...
Last day for submissions re proposed wind farm in Co Carlow
15TH FEBRUARY 5PM Today is your last chance to make a submission regarding the proposed wind farm on the slopes of Mount Leinster. FuturEnergy, a joint venture between the state-owned Coillte and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), is behind the Croaghaun Wind...