Carlow (Ceatharlach in Irish) is a small medieval Irish town in the county of the same name. The town is renowned for its many castles and buildings dating back to Carlow’s medieval past. Most are open to the public, and are well worth a visit for anyone with an appreciation of medieval Ireland…

History of Carlow

Carlow, a town founded in the 12th century

Carlow is said to have been founded in 1180 by William the Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and King of Leinster. The town was built 90km south-west of Dublin, on the River Barrow, in order to fortify a passage at river level and regulate and monitor the comings and goings of the Irish on the Barrow.

In the course of Carlow’s history, several castles were successively built between the 14th and 17th centuries:

• Ballyloughan Castle,
• Ballymoon Castle,
• Leighlinbridge Castle
• and Tower House.

St Patrick’s College was also built in 1793 to provide a high-quality education.