Towns & Villages

The picturesque village of Rathvilly, located in north Carlow at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, is rich in history. It was once the residence of the Kings of Hy Kinsellagh. In 450 AD, St. Patrick visited the village and baptised its king, his wife, and their infant son at the Holy Well, which can still be viewed in the local graveyard. The River Slaney flows through Rathvilly, offering excellent angling opportunities and a rich variety of bird life, including herons.

St. Laserian’s Cathedral was built in the 13th century on the site of a church founded by St. Gobban in 632 A.D. This early church was one of the foremost monastic houses in Leinster at one time with over 1,500 monks in residence. St. Lazerians Holy Well (Molaise) situated on the school road.

Nurney is a small village with an interesting pub, a church and ancient stone cross. Nearby Nurney, at Clonmelsh cemetery Walt Disney's ancestors are buried.

Newtown Saint Patrick's church was built in the 1850s and is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the diocese. Newtown church features eight stained glass windows made by the famous Clark family of Dublin in the early part of the last century.

The development of Leighlinbridge village was greatly influenced through its historic importance as a transport route. Over 300 years before the Christian era, a great battle took place here to capture the fort of Dinn Righ, reputedly the ancient seat of the Kings of Leinster. The focal point of Leighlinbridge is its valerian bearded bridge, built in 1320 by Maurice Jakis, Canon of Kildare Cathedral. It remains today one of the oldest functioning bridges in Europe.

Killeshin is an important medieval monastery and has been a centre of learning and culture since early Christian times. The present church, built c.1150, is well worth visiting not only for its beautiful Romanesque doorway—one of the finest examples in Ireland—but also for its scenic setting. Nestled in the peaceful countryside, Killeshin offers wonderful views across the Barrow Valley to the Blackstairs Mountains earning it the nickname “The Balcony of Carlow”. The church’s Romanesque doorway is especially unique, featuring one of the few triangular gables above the arches found in Ireland.

Hacketstown, Eagle Hill, south of the town, has delightful views from its summit and most of the county can be seen spread out below. Hacketstown is surrounded by woodland and farmland, the village is a gateway to the higher Wicklow mountains to the east and the beaches of Wexford to the south.