Guide to County Carlow In Ireland

Co. Carlow

Carlow is Ireland's second smallest county in area, and accordingly has one of the smaller county populations at around 50,000 although this is now rising quickly with the influx of Dublin commuters. It is located inland in the South East, in the province of Leinster, surrounded by Kilkenny, Laois, Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford.

Towns within the county include Carlow town, Bagenalstown, Tullow, Ballon, Borris, Bunclody, Clonegall, Graiguenamanagh, Hacketstown, Leighlinbridge, Rathvilly and Tinryland.

Carlow town, standing on the River Barrow, is the principal town of the region with a population of some 20,000 people. The town has had a turbulent historic past dating back over many centuries and sights such as the castle ruins and the old courthouse are impressive reminders of times gone by. It is now the home of the Institute of Technology Carlow, and thus Carlow town has a thriving student population of about 3,000. Due to improved motorway links, the county is now an ideal location for longer distance weekday commuters to the Dublin area. Residents can enjoy the benefits of cheaper prices and semi-rural locations whilst being within one hour's drive of Dublin city.