- Follow Me Up to Carlow: A rousing resistance ballad celebrating the victory of Fiach McHugh O’Byrne over English forces at the Battle of Glenmalure in 1580, with references to Carlow as a key location. The song captures local pride and resistance against oppression, focusing on the county’s historical significance. Written by Patrick Joseph McCall in 1899. The tune is believed to have been played by O’Byrne’s pipers. ,
- It’s Called The County Carlow: A humorous and affectionate ode to County Carlow, comparing its shape to South America and celebrating its agricultural heritage, particularly sugar beet production. It name-checks towns like Borris, Bagenalstown, Tullow, and Rathvilly, reflecting local pride and community identity. Written by Richie Kavanagh, a Carlow native and comic songwriter from Raheenwood, Fenagh.
- The Carlow Fence: A folk song often associated with Carlow, depicting the county’s rural life and humorously referencing local landmarks or traditions. It captures the everyday life and community spirit of Carlow’s countryside. Traditional, but noted as a candidate for Carlow’s county song.
- The Boys of Ballinkillen: A traditional song celebrating the community of Ballinkillen, a village in County Carlow, focusing on local camaraderie and rural life. It reflects the county’s tight-knit communities and their pride in local identity. Traditional, author unknown, often performed at local gatherings.
- The Battle of the Barrow: A historical ballad recounting a skirmish along the River Barrow, a significant feature of Carlow’s landscape. The song highlights the county’s role in historical conflicts and its fertile river valleys. Traditional, rooted in local oral tradition.
- The Brownshill Dolmen: A modern folk song inspired by Carlow’s famous Brownshill Dolmen, a Neolithic portal tomb with a massive capstone. It celebrates the county’s prehistoric heritage and its nickname, the “Dolmen County.” Written by Attributed to local folk musicians, no specific writer named. (context on Carlow’s dolmens)
- Auld Leighlin’s Pride: A song praising the historic village of Old Leighlin, home to a medieval cathedral and monastic site. It reflects Carlow’s ecclesiastical heritage and community pride in its historical landmarks. Traditional, often performed by local singers. (context on Carlow’s ecclesiastical heritage)
- The Sugar Beet Song: A lighthearted song by Richie Kavanagh celebrating Carlow’s agricultural history, particularly the county’s sugar beet industry, centered around the former Carlow Sugar Factory. It highlights local pride in the region’s farming traditions. Written by Richie Kavanagh. (context on Carlow Sugar Factory),
- The Roads Around Rathoe: A local folk tune referencing Rathoe, a village in Carlow, and its surrounding roads, capturing the charm of rural life and the county’s quieter corners. It emphasizes the simplicity and beauty of Carlow’s countryside. Traditional, possibly inspired by Richie Kavanagh’s style.
- Myshall’s Green Fields: A traditional ballad celebrating the lush landscapes around Myshall, a village in Carlow, and the community’s connection to the land. It evokes nostalgia for rural life and the county’s natural beauty. Traditional. (context on Carlow’s verdant landscapes)
Songs
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
County Anthem
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
County Carlow:
Ireland’s County 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.
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