Walking

Starting in Kildavin in east Carlow and extending to Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary, this trail showcases the Majestic Mount Leinster, the highest peak in the Blackstairs Mountains at 795m. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of Brandon Hill and the Barrow Valley, with rich flora and fauna from Kildavin to Borris and onwards to Graiguenamanagh.

TinnahTinnahinch, on the Carlow side of the River Barrow, and Graiguenamanagh on the Kilkenny side, are popular boating centres whose character reflects a bygone time when the area was an important focal point for commercial traffic on the river. Both towns are connected by a beautiful bridge, constructed in 1767 when the canal system was being built.

Tinnahinch Castle was built around 1615 by James Butler who later lost his lands because of his involvement in the Confederate War of 1641. It was built to control a crossing where a wooden bridge once spanned the River Barrow. The castle was burnt around the year 1700 and has lain that way ever since.

Upper Borris was largely built by the McMorrough Kavanagh family who trace their ancestry directly to Dermot McMorrough, King of Leinster. It is characterised by the numerous 19th century granite buildings which give the town its epithet ‘Granite Town’.

Borris is a Georgian, granite town, full of charm and heritage nestling in the fertile valley of the River Barrow.

Eight counties can be viewed from this spot – Carlow, Laois, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and the mountains of Tipperary, and on a clear day the coast of Wales, to the east.

The Nine Stones Viewing Point provides an unrivalled vista of the rich and colourful Carlow countryside spread out like a tapestry before you.