Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

CARLOW

Ballymoon Castle – situated near Bagenalstown (also called Muine Bheag), Ballymoon Castle was one of the earliest Anglo-Norman strongholds in Ireland and remains quite impressive to this day, with its granite walls over eight feet thick.

Browneshill Portal Tomb – located two miles east of Carlow Town is the impressive Browneshill portal tomb, which boasts the largest capstone in Ireland, weighing in at well over 100 tons.

Carlow Museum – housed in Carlow Town Hall, the museum offers an exhibition dealing with the county’s history, archaeology and folk life.

Carlow Town – situated at the main crossing of the River Barrow, Carlow was once the most southerly outpost of the English crown in Ireland. Its 13th century Norman castle, with its two drum towers, still stands though it has suffered much through the centuries. Other prominent buildings in the town are the 19th century Catholic Church and courthouse.

Huntington Castle – hidden away in the village of Clonegal is Huntington Castle, dating from the 16th century and boasting a beautiful yew tree avenue. Home to a group of white witches, who worship the God of Isis, the castle and gardens are now undergoing restoration and can be visited by appointment only. This is a fascinating experience.

Leighlinbridge & Old Leighlin– a 12th century Norman castle and a lovely stone bridge over the River Barrow probably best characterise the town of Leighlinbridge. Not far away lies Old Leighlin, where the first monastery was founded in the 7th century. In the year 630, a synod took place here to decide upon the date that Easter should be celebrated throughout the world. The remains of a 12th century cathedral tell of the town’s former importance as a diocese between the 12th and 16th centuries. The town went into decline after joining with the diocese of Ferns in 1600 but Carey’s Pub seems to have survived, having been in the same family since 1542.

Saint Mullin’s Village – this is one of the most idyllic ancient ecclesiastical sites in Ireland. At the ancient burial ground of the kings of Leinster beside a 7th century monastery, the stump of a round tower, a holy well and the remains of an old church stand overlooking the River Barrow.