Discover the best of Carlow with our 3-day itinerary. From historic castles and peaceful gardens to local art, chocolate workshops, and riverside saunas, you’ll experience a perfect mix of culture, relaxation, and scenic beauty. Whether you’re exploring ancient sites or enjoying local cafés, Carlow offers something memorable for every traveller.
🌳 Day 1: Heritage Tales, Grand Gardens & Cinema Sessions
Morning – Explore Browneshill Dolmen, Carlow County Museum and Duckett’s Grove Historic House & Walled Gardens
The first morning stop is at the grand Browneshill Dolmen. Close to our heart is the Brownshill Dolmen near Carlow Town. Older than the pyramids, this magnificent megalithic portal tomb has caught the attention of many antiquarians and tourists through the years and it is thought that religious rites were performed there for four and a half thousand years (2500 BC). Its capstone weighs over 100 tonnes (the largest in Europe) and rests on two portal stones flanking a door stone and slopes downwards to the west, where it rests on a low boulder.
📍 Directions to the Browneshill Dolmen | 🕒 Always Open | 🎟️ Free
Located in Carlow Town’s Cultural Quarter, Carlow County Museum features four galleries with a diverse collection from the county featuring unique displays like knights’ armours, War of Independence, World War 1 & 2. Fully operated by local historians and authors volunteers, this museum is accessible through the Carlow Tourism Office, making it a convenient stop on your itinerary!
📍 Eircode: R93 E3T2 | 🕒 Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm | 🎟️ Free
Next, step back into the romantic ruins of Duckett’s Grove, once a 19th-century Gothic revival mansion. Wander through its hauntingly beautiful towers and turrets before entering the meticulously restored walled gardens—bursts of roses, fruit trees, and seasonal colour. Don’t miss the free guided tour from Fridays to Sundays at 12:30am and 2:30pm, where you’ll uncover stories of aristocratic drama and ghostly legends.
📍 Eircode: R93 RF80 | 🕒 Open Apr-Oct 8:30am–8:30pm; Nov-Mar 8:30am -5pm | 🎟️ Free
Pack a lunch to enjoy in Duckett’s Grove picnic areas, or head back to the hotel for a lunch break.
Afternoon – Discover Altamont Gardens and IMC Carlow
Described as “Ireland’s most romantic garden,” Altamont Gardens blends formal gardens, riverside trails, and ancient trees into a 40-acre retreat. The scent of lavender and the trickle of water from its lily ponds create a calming, meditative atmosphere. Take your time and explore beautiful landscapes, rare plants, and scenic walks with expert guides available every 30 minutes on Feb-Nov from 10:30am – 4pm).
📍 Eircode: R93 N882 | 🕒 Mon-Sun 9am–5pm | 🎟️ Gardens free, €2 parking
Finish off the day with a dine-in town or return to the hotel’s Woodford Dolmen restaurant before heading to IMC Cinema Carlow for a cosy film night. With our cinema passes available at reception, you can enjoy discounted rates at our local cinema every day. Just purchase your pass at reception when checking in. If you are travelling with kids, we have kids’ movie night with popcorn and juice (school holidays & weekends) and activities bags to keep the little ones entertained when booking a family package.
📍 Eircode: R93 R1H3 | 🎟️ From €10 tickets, free parking | Open until 9:15pm
🖼️ Day 2: Carlow Castle, Art & Unwind
Morning – Carlow Castle, VISUAL & Made In Carlow Store
Begin your journey at Carlow Castle, a striking Norman stronghold that has watched over the River Barrow since the early 13th century. Though only two of its original towers and part of a wall remain, this atmospheric ruin offers a powerful glimpse into medieval Ireland and the legacy of its once-formidable presence with the Riverview.
📍 Eircode: R93 FT97 | 🕒 Always Open | 🎟️ Free
The second stop of the morning is the VISUAL, one of Ireland’s leading contemporary art spaces. Showcasing thought-provoking exhibitions alongside theatre, music, and dance performances at the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, this local gallery is an inspiring cultural stop that brings together community, creativity, and conversation—all in the heart of Carlow. To see their current exhibitions, click here.
📍 Eircode: R93 A3K1 | 🕒 Open Tues-Sat 11am-5:30pm / Sun 2pm-5pm | 🎟️ Gallery free entry
Next, visit the delightful Made in Carlow gallery, which celebrates over 100 regional artists. Inside, you’ll find everything from abstract paintings and handmade jewellery to ceramics and textiles, making it the ideal place to find unique local artworks. Hotel guests can enjoy 10% off store when room key shown. Made in Carlow also hosts art classes on Thursday evenings. For updated information on their art classes, see their Instagram Page.
📍 Eircode: R93 TW86 | 🕒 Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-6pm / Sun 1pm-5:30pm | 🎟️ Gallery free, art classes €25
Afternoon – Arboretum Garden Café & Home Store, Barrow Brew Treats and Barrow Walk
Head to The Arboretum, a one-of-a-kind itinerary stop that blends award-winning garden design with stylish home interiors, gifts, and fashion – all under one roof. Take your time exploring the kitchen store, furniture showroom, homeware and gift shop, and fashion department, with expert plant advice always on hand from a friendly, knowledgeable team. When it’s time for a lunch break, relax at Rachel’s Garden Café, a bright glasshouse restaurant offering gourmet lunches and local treats. After lunch, enjoy a peaceful stroll through the inspirational display gardens, designed to spark creativity and help you visualise your own outdoor haven. From shopping to dining to garden dreaming, the Arboretum is a perfect stop if you’re a green-fingered enthusiast or simply browsing for lifestyle inspiration.
📍 Eircode: R93 P9F4 | 🕒 Open Mon-Sat 9am–6pm / Sun 11am–6pm
Enjoy the riverside charm of Barrow Brew, a cosy local café tucked beside Milford Weir. Serving freshly brewed coffee and delicious pastries, this charming coffee shop it’s a must-visit for outdoor lovers who want to support local businesses. Their buttery croissants and rich local coffee pair perfectly with views of the flowing Barrow River and nearby nature trails.
📍 Milford Weir | 🕒 Open Mon–Fri 8:30am–4pm / Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Optional: Unwind at Valhalla Saunas
Next to Barrow Brew and with an immersive outdoor wellness experience, Valhalla Saunas is equipped with a wood-fired sauna, plunge pool, and tranquil natural surroundings, perfect to end your day. Nestled among lush greenery by the river, you’ll find a wood-fired barrel sauna, a cold plunge pool, and a changing area. As the sun dips, sit in silence or with soft music, and let the heat and cold invigorate body and mind.
📍 Milford Weir | 🕒 Mon-Sun 10am–7pm | 🎟️ €15 (16+ only)
Hotel guests can enjoy 10% off in Valhalla Sauna Sessions and 10% off Barrow Brew store (including tea/coffee & home baked treats) when room key shown.
🍫 Day 3: Garden Delights & Chocolate Treats
Morning– Delta Sensory Gardens
Kick start the day with a visit to the Delta Sensory Gardens. Described as ‘An Oasis of Peace and Tranquillity’, just a 10 minute drive from our hotel. Established in 1990 as a centre for adults with disabilities, the Gardens is set on 2.5 acres with a series of interconnecting gardens to beckon you with bright and beautiful blooms. Created as a therapeutic outlet, make sure to enjoy a calm walk while you admire the diverse flora and admire the bask in the tranquillity of the water features and see the famous one –tonne of pink marble floating on a cushion of water.
The gardens are fully wheelchair accessible and have proven to be a very popular place to visit for active retirement groups, families, school trips and bus tours.
The sensory theatre building in the gardens houses a reception, toilet facilities, a colourful indoor musical fountain and an activities room. For lunch, enjoy a light meal at the popular Café Thyme, serving fresh food daily and connect to the small garden centre.
📍 Eircode: R93 Y959 | 🕒 Open Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm / Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 11am-5pm | 🎟️ €6 adults, under 13s free
Afternoon – Chocolate Garden of Ireland & Coppenagh House Farm
Continue your evening at the Chocolate Garden, where you can experience a fun chocolate-making workshop at our Guest Rate. This award-winning family business creates handmade chocolates, premium ice cream and a wide range of delicious treats. Enjoy a mould-making class or simply visit The Chocolate Garden’s shop and café to buy some delicious souvenirs for family friends from your Ancient East staycation. At the Chocolate Mould-Making Class, create handmade treats and enjoy complimentary ice cream in the countryside on this sweet, hands-on experience. Tickets available at a discounted rate for purchase at Hotel’s reception or by showing the room key on the door. Advanced booking advised.
📍 Eircode: R93 PY82 | 🕒 Mon – Fri 11am-16:30pm / Sat – Sun 12:30pm-16:30pm | 🎟️ From €15
Coppenagh House Farm is a recently established business only 25-minute drive from the hotel in Tullow, Co Carlow. Opened by the passionate husband and wife team, Robert and Ciara Stanley, this farm produces and sells in the shop their own reared beef, pork, bacon, and honey from their 8 beehives. The shop also has its exclusive Ballybar Ireland clothing brand—an Irish-designed country and lifestyle collection and Ardattin Embroidery with embroidered items by Ciara herself.
Visitors can explore an array of local and Irish artisan foods, as well as have a coffee from Cows & Coffee stand while enjoying the marvellous views of the farm and its cows.
📍 Eircode: R93 FD83 | 🕒 Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat 9:30pm–4pm; Sun 10am-4pm | 🎟️ Free to visit the shop & farm
Optional: The Big Blue Barn (For families with kids)
If you’re travelling with children up to the age of 12, a good idea is to end your day at the Big Blue Barn play centre—an energetic indoor venue with climbing zones, toddler spaces, and plenty of slides to burn off energy before dinner time and have a good night of sleep.
📍 Eircode: R93 YX97 | 🕒 Wed – Sun 10am–6pm | 🎟️ €6–€7.50
Optional: The Orangery (For couples)
As the summer sun begins to set, there’s no more romantic way to end your day than dining al fresco at The Orangery, our outdoor space. Nestled beside the gently flowing River Barrow, outdoor dining sets the perfect scene for couples—bathed in golden light, with the soft sounds of nature all around. Share a glass of wine, savour seasonal dishes crafted from fresh local ingredients, and watch the sky shift from amber to dusk.
