Visiting the multi award-winning Carlow County Museum is a must. Be wowed by the 340 million year old fossil, the 20ft church pulpit and an exquisite 2mm Iron Age glass bead! Among the displays are exhibitions featuring: the magnificently hand carved 19th century wooden pulpit from Carlow Cathedral, one of the top 100 objects to view in an Irish museum; the gallows trap door from Carlow Gaol used in 19th century public executions; an exhibition on the Carlow Sugar Factory, Ireland’s first and largest sugar factory, which was opened in 1926; the wonderful stained glass panel by Peadar Lamb commemorating the 1916 Rising and its Carlow links; archaeological finds from the Carlow M9 bypass including the country’s first ring brooch, courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. See our latest exhibit, the grave effigy of Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle and High Sheriff of Carlow, dating from 1594.
Find out about some of Carlow’s personalities; see the remains of Kevin Barry’s last cigarette and his death mask, with both items dating from the time of his execution in Mountjoy Gaol, Dublin at the age of just 18 for his role in the Irish War Of Independence; the wooden smoking pipe of Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th US Cavalry who was killed in the infamous battle of Little Big Horn along with General Custer in 1876; John Tyndall, Carlow’s prolific 19th century scientist whose discoveries, including the greenhouse effect still have an impact to this day. Carlow County Council in partnership with Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society has developed the museum, which is an “excellent use of an old building”.
Special temporary exhibitions on display:
- Carlow County Museum and 5th Carlow (Town) Scouts present a new exhibition: “On My Honour I Will Try…” Scouting in Carlow, 90 Years Growing. This special temporary exhibition explores the growth, development and evolution of Scouting in Carlow, right through to the present day.
- “Journeys in Time” – The Archaeology of the Carlow By-pass- see many of the archeological objects found along the route of the M9 Carlow By-pass including our smallest object, an Iron Age glass bead. This exhibition is in association with the National Museum of Ireland and the National Roads Authority.
Carlow County Museum is part of Carlow Town’s Cultural Quarter and admission is FREE.
The County Museum is housed in the former Presentation Convent on College Street, Carlow Town. The Museum is entered through Carlow Tourist Office. The building is in a prime town centre location and is part of a complex that also houses the Tourist Office, the County Library and Archive.
OPENING HOURS FOR CARLOW COUNTY MUSEUM
Open: 1st Saturday in February to last Saturday in November
Closed: Saturday 18th of March and April 8th Holy Saturday
Closed: Sundays and Bank Holidays from September to May.
Open: February to Saturday May 27th we are opened from 10.00am to 4.30pm, with last admission at 4.00pm.
Open: Saturday 3rd of June to Saturday 26th of August we are opened from 10.00am to 5.00pm, with last admission at 4.30pm.
Open: Sunday 4th of June to Sunday 27th of August we are opened from 2.00pm to 4.30pm, with last admission at 4.00pm.
Open: June and August Bank Holiday Mondays we are opened from 2.00pm to 4.30pm, with last admission at 4.00pm.
Open: Saturday 2nd September to Saturday 25th of November we are opened from 10.00am to 4.30pm, with last admission at 4.00pm.
Closed: Saturdays and Sundays in December and January.
The museum is self-guided, but tours for groups (10+) must be pre-booked.
Visit & see what you’re missing! www.carlowmuseum.ie
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