Begin your Carlow walking tour at Liberty Tree Square, the lively heart of this historic county town, where you can enjoy a hearty lunch at Lennons Café & Bistro on Tullow Street. This stylish spot serves up modern Irish fare like smoked salmon or homemade burgers, tasty, affordable, and no bookings needed, but arrive early to beat the lunch rush.
Stroll down Tullow Street to Carlow Cathedral, a grand 19th-century Gothic Revival structure with soaring spires and intricate stained glass that feels like it could inspire a classic painting. From there, wander along College Street to VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, a sleek cultural hub showcasing bold Irish artworks and exhibitions, perfect for a quick dose of creativity.
Next, head towards Dublin Street and pop into The Chocolate Garden Café for a decadent hot chocolate or artisan coffee. If you’re after something more refined, Sha-Roe Bistro on Kennedy Avenue offers elegant dining with locally sourced dishes in an intimate setting. Booking’s advised for this gem.
Finish your walk by looping to Carlow County Museum on College Street, a charming spot packed with local history, from medieval relics to stories of the town’s brewing past. Take a moment by the River Barrow, where a serene riverside path offers a peaceful end to your tour. This 1-2 mile route weaves together Carlow’s historic charm, local eats, cultural treasures, dining, landmarks, and scenic beauty.
Largest town walking tour
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
Population of towns in county Carlow
Towns
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
Villages
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.
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 – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837– 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
