You won’t find a warmer welcome in Ireland or a better location for your next getaway. Carlow is a place where breath-taking scenery, outdoor adventures, fabulous food and culture combine to create unforgettable experiences.
Discover the timeless and unspoiled Carlow landscape. Picturesque villages, meandering rivers, rolling hills combined with the colourful tales of our people, past and present. Explore our rich heritage and vibrant present. Feel inspired. Feel charmed. Feel free. Wander off the Track and uncover a world of hidden gems in Carlow
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Visit Sandbrook House and Gardens this summer 🌞
Owned by the Bielenberg family, the gardens have evolved through a thoughtful process that respects the property’s rich heritage. Ten years ago Bella Bielenberg began re-envisioning this garden – having always loved roses she wanted to create something romantic and timeless. Over the years the garden has gradually taken shape, filled with roses, pathways and brick spirals that symbolises eternity and enduring love. She has also created a symmetry that reflects the house, built in 1720 with a hope that the garden would feel as though it belonged naturally to the house.
Visitors attending the Carlow Garden Festival will also have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Sandbrook House and its gardens first-hand. Throughout the festival, from July 25th to August 2nd, the gardens will be open to pre-booked groups of five or more, with admission priced at just €5 per person, providing an excellent opportunity to discover one of County Carlow’s hidden garden treasures beyond the evening talk itself.
A Tale of a Country Garden Reimagined offers a great insight into the restoration and transformation of the gardens at Sandbrook House, one of Ireland’s finest Queen Anne country houses. During this special evening on Thursday, 30th July, acclaimed plantsman and garden designer Arthur Shackleton will share the story behind the vision, creativity and careful planning that has shaped these beautiful gardens over the past ten years.
Arthur will explore the inspiration behind the project, the challenges encountered along the way and the principles that have guided the creation of a garden that sits comfortably within its historic setting while looking firmly to the future.
Book you tickets at www.carlowgardentrail.com.
📍 Sandbrook House and Gardens, Castlegrace, Ballon, Co. Carlow, R93 YK09
For more information visit: www.sandbrook.ie
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Step Inside Centuries of History with Guided Tours of St Laserian’s Cathedral, Old Leighlin this Summer.
St Laserian’s Cathedral in Old Leighlin, Carlow’s oldest working building that features architecture from every century since it was built, is offering guided tours throughout July, August and September. Tours run from 12 noon to 3.30p.m. on selected days.
Visitors can explore this remarkable cathedral, that has stood for over 800 years on the site of a much earlier monastic settlement. Highlights of the guided tour with local history enthusiast Pádraig Dooley include the striking East Window by Catherine O’Brien, a mysterious 16th-century altar tomb, Ireland’s only known four-seat sedilia, and two baptismal fonts with unique stories. Of immense historical significance is the synod held here in c. 630 which led to the Irish church adopting the Roman calendar in defining the date of Easter each year, a formula still used to this day.
Each tour brings to life the story of St Laserian himself—his Roman journey, founding of the monastery and legendary miracles—as well as the deeply rooted history of the Vigors family, whose presence has shaped the cathedral through the centuries.
The cathedral’s rural location in the tranquil village of Old Leighlin makes it a perfect day out, with the nearby St Laserian’s Holy Well offering an additional place of quiet reflection just 250 metres away. Afterwards head to Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven for a tasty lunch or afternoon tea, a wander around their beautiful Inspirational Gardens or discover their kitchen store, plant area and beautiful boutique. The nearby village of Leighlinbridge.
Admission: Free, however a donation of €3 is greatly appreciated towards the cathedral’s upkeep.
Opening times from July to September 2026 - 12 noon to 3.30pm
July: 2nd to 5th, 9th to 12th, 16th to 19th, 23rd to 26th, 30th
August: 1st, 3rd, 6th to 8th, 13th to 16th, 17th to 22nd, 27th, 28th, 29th
September: 3rd to 6th, 10th to 13th, 17th to 19th, 24th to 27th.
Outside of these times please call 083 813 8163 to arrange a visit.
Address: St. Laserian’s Cathedral, Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow. R93 N598
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Is it ever too late to start over?
After 25 years building Mount Venus Nursery into one of Ireland's most respected specialist nurseries, Oliver Schurmann and his wife Liat embarked on a remarkable new chapter, relocating to a different landscape and reimagining what a nursery could become. On July 28th in Hardymount Gardens near Tullow, Oliver will share the fascinating story behind this bold move and the lessons learned from embracing change, renewal and the evolving journey of a life in plants.
Book your ticket here: carlowgardentrail.com/event/its-never-too-late-with-oliver-schurmann/
Take a look at the other great events running as part of the Carlow Garden Festival:
carlowgardentrail.com/festival-programme/
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