Keeping Everyone Entertained at no extra cost
Brownshill Dolmen
The mysterious and majestic Brownshill Dolmen has captured the imagination of visitors for centuries. Located 3km east of Carlow town, the capstone of this impressive megalithic tomb is believed to be the largest in Europe, weighing some 103 tonnes.
Brownshill Dolmen is a magnificent granite capstone, weighing about 103 tonnes, has excited the interest of historians and antiquarians for centuries. An enormous slab sits on two portal stones which flank a door stone and slopes downwards to the west, where it rests on a low boulder.
Visit the Brownshill Dolmen to truly experience a piece of prehistoric Ireland that experts believe the date of construction has been estimated at between 4,900 and 5,500 years ago in all its glory
Visual Carlow
With a mission to enrich, inspire and improve the everyday through art, the VISUAL is a must-see on any visit to Carlow.
VISUAL is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary art spaces situated in the heart of Carlow town, with four world class gallery spaces and a 335 seat performance space. VISUAL Carlow receives national, international and regional touring productions as well as presenting locally produced work.
A ten minute drive from the hotel, all galleries have FREE admission. Explore thought-provoking and inspiring exhibitions from Tuesday to Saturday open 11am to 5.30pm and Sundays 2pm to 5pm.
Carlow County Museum
Visit the award-winning Carlow County Museum and see what you’re missing! Carlow County Museum is located on College Street in the Cultural Quarter of Carlow Town. Just a 10-minute drive from our hotel and admission is FREE.
Visit the four galleries, and the museum has a wide collection of items and artefacts, including the 19th century hand carved pulpit from Carlow Cathedral, it’s among the top 100 objects to see in an Irish Museum, and the last cigarette and death mask of Kevin Barry, an 18-year Carlow student who was executed for his role in the Irish War of Independence in 1920. As a family undertake our Museum Detective Quiz and discover our many historical gems.
Why not also visit the Visual Carlow too? As Ireland’s home to Contemporary Art – The Visual is just a 210 metre walk from this attraction.
Carlow County Museum and Tourist Office is open all year round, see website for details, last admission is thirty minutes before closing.
Ducketts Grove
Duckett’s Grove, the 18th, 19th and early 20th century home of the Duckett family, was formerly at the centre of a 20,000 acre (8,093 hectares) estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds form a romantic profile making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in the country and a castle in Ireland to visit.
There is also a playground located within the pleasure grounds of Duckett’s Grove which is a great new addition for all the family to enjoy. Universally accessible and finished in wood this rustic and aesthetically pleasing playground has been completed taking its natural surroundings into consideration. The playground features slides, poles, an obstacle course and lots more to enjoy.
South Leinster Way
The South Leinster Way is a long distance walking route which starts from Kildavin, Co. Carlow to finish in Carrick-on-Suir in Co. Tipperary covering 102 kilometres (64 miles) in length and ascending some 1600 metres. FREE to visit and walk. Estimated length of the walk is 5 days.
It is a route that passes through varied terrain, including the heathery flanks of Mount Leinster (796m) and Brandon Hill (515m), a fine riverside stretch on the River Barrow, a large decayed demesne, and coniferous woodlands, but it finishes with a long stretch of 30 km on quiet tarmac roads.
Explore Carlow
Explore Carlow from The Woodford Dolmen Hotel. A Comfortable stay awaits, after your adventures!
