County Carlow
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Irish Name: Ceatharlach - "Place of Cattle"
County Town: Carlow
Nickname: The Dolmen County, The Scallion Eaters
GAA Colors: Red, Green, and Yellow
Famous People with Carlow roots: Walt Disney, Frank O'Meara,
George Bernard Shaw, Patrick Robert Reid, Arthur MacMurrough-Kavanagh
One of Ireland's few landlocked counties what Carlow lacks in the beaches and watersports of other counties it more than makes up for in the lush tranquil setting it provides holidaymakers. The idyllic landscape is hone to a multitude of rivers and valleys and whether an experienced hiker or you just like the idea a pleasant stroll through a region of great natural beauty Carlow can cater for you.
Carlow Town is a bustling market town situated on the River Barrow. Its past is all around the visitor and nearby is the Browne's Hill Dolmen, which boasts a capstone of 100 tonnes and is believed to be the largest in Europe. Dating over 5,000 years old these dolmens little the country and were used as communal burial grounds and for religious rituals. There are over 807 different field monuments in Carlow, the 'Celtic Centre of Ireland' and they are a fascinating diversion for those with an interest in history.
The town is also home to many pleasant pubs and restaurants. Away from the hectic dash of city life things proceed at a slower pace in Carlow and lingering over a pint at the end of day chatting to local people who will be as interested in you as you are in their homeland is one of the delights of any trip to Carlow. Accommodation is of a high standard and widely available.
There are plenty of other things to see and do in Carlow as well. The River Barrow is suitable for cruises and is arguably the most picturesque of all of Ireland's navigable waterways. Unsurprisingly such rivers make for great fishing as well. As well as a plentiful supply of trout and coarse fishing, salmon fishing is increasingly popular along the Barrow. There are many ways to see the county. Walking tours are very popular as are seven or fourteen day cycling tours which bring you not just about Carlow but out into the rest of Leinster as well.
Like all the midlands counties one of Carlow's attractions is it central location. It's near enough to the urban centres like Dublin, Kilkenny and Wexford that access is easy and yet far enough away that one's peace is undisturbed.
Common Surnames in Carlow: Byrne, Doyle, Farrell, Kavanagh, Kinsella, Lawler/Lalor, McDonald/McDonnell, Murphy, Nolan, Walsh
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