These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Carlow
- 1st Place: Leighlinbridge – A historic and vibrant town on the River Barrow, Leighlinbridge is famed for its impressive Norman castle, the serene riverside walks along the Barrow Way, and its charming pub scene, including the renowned Lord Bagenal Inn. It’s a perfect hub for exploring the Blackstairs Mountains and enjoying the tranquil beauty of Ireland’s inland waterways.
- 2nd Place: Ballon – Known for its beautiful village green and striking windmill monument, Ballon presents a picture of tidy, rural charm. Visitors are drawn to its excellent local eateries, the nearby Altamont Gardens with its stunning seasonal displays, and its role as a welcoming gateway to the scenic countryside of south Carlow.
- 3rd Place: Carlow Town – The county town, where historic heritage meets modern energy. Key attractions include the colossal Carlow College, the atmospheric remains of Carlow Castle on the River Barrow, and the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art. It serves as a cultural and commercial heart with easy access to the nearby Brownshill Dolmen.
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Carlow
- Overall: Clashganny House Restaurant
- Café: Goodly Barrow
- Casual Dining: Arboretum
- Chef: Henry Stone, Sha-Roe Bistro
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel
- Customer Service: Teach Dolmain
- Employee Excellence Award: Kelly Mernagh, New Moon Tandoori Indian
- Gastro Pub: Teach Dolmain
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel
- Innovator: Waterlilies Tullow
- Local Food Hero: Tracy Corcoran of The Green Lemon Cafe and Bakery
- Newcomer: Brasserie 15
- Pub: Corcorans Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Michal Kostra, Mimosa Bar de Tapas
- Sustainable Practices: Coppenagh House Farm
- Use of Social Media: Birdcage Cafe
- Wine Experience: Mimosa Bar de Tapas
- World Cuisine: Baht
Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Carlow:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837– 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Carlow combines historic landmarks with serene landscapes, with the Carlow Castle ruins and the nearby Altamont Gardens offering a mix of medieval and botanical appeal. The Barrow Way provides scenic riverside walks, while the Brownshill Dolmen, a prehistoric portal tomb, adds ancient history. Carlow is Ireland’s second smallest county by size (896 square km) and third smallest by population (61,968). Population peaked at 86,228 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 33,342 in 1961.In terms of hospitality, Carlow is Ireland’s 23rd most visited tourist county with around 68,000 international visitors per year.
2025 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
