Local Attractions

The Dolmen is the ideal base for touring the sunny south east, Kilkenny, Waterford, New Ross, Wexford and Wicklow are all within easy reach. Carlow is home of Europe's largest Dolmen, from which the hotel takes its name. Because of its profusion of Neolithic and Early Christian sites, Carlow is known as the Celtic centre of Ireland. Kilkenny city, just 39 kms to the south, is recognised as the country's medieval capital. There are lots of activities available locally, gardens to visit on the Carlow garden trail, horse riding, cruising on the River Barrow, angling, golfing , and horse racing at Gowran Park, the Curragh, Naas and Punchestown. Carlow is a great shopping town with an oasis of shops to cater for every type of shopper.

The Brownshill Dolmen: Carlow is probably well renowned worldwide for its pre-historical Dolmen which is situated at Browne's Hill which is approximately 3km east of Carlow town on the Hacketstown Road. This is the county's most prominent feature which is estimated to be about 5000-years-old.

VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre: After an amazing opening season seeing over 14000 people coming to see over 70 show's in this fantastic gallery and theatre, this spring season looks set to continue the trend with a fantastic line up including Ardal O'Hanlon, Michael English and the fantastic play LIttle Gem. Artists including Sean Scully will be showcasing their work in visual, and there is also a fantastic line up of workshops over the coming season. Call 059 9172400 or click the link above for more details.

The Carlow Garden Trail currently features 16 different gardening attractions including great old gardens that have been lovingly restored and maintained throughout the years, and smaller gardens which are maturing beautifully with time. Award winning garden centres and forest parks complement the joy of a visit here. The Carlow Garden Trail ranges from small to very large gardens, garden centres and forest parks and from old to new, so there is something to stimulate both the novice and experienced gardener. Known for its mild and temperate climate, County Carlow in Ireland's sunny South East is the ideal destination for your gardening trip. Identifiable road signs make the Carlow Garden Trail an easy-to-follow tour through one of the most beautiful inland counties of Ireland offering a unique insight into the plants and plants people that make each premises so individual. The trail can be driven in a day if so desired but naturally we encourage you to relax and enjoy the remarkable beauty of these gardens, garden centres and forest parks at a more leisurely pace.

Situated in the South East of Ireland, approximately 90kms from the ferry and airports of Dublin, Rosslare and Waterford, Carlow is the ideal location for a gardening break. Its central location also offers the perfect base to explore the bordering counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Kildare and Laois.

Garden Centre's

Rathwood: Offers an exclusive range of hand crafted furniture, stylish gifts, a top quality restaurant, charming garden centre, walks and outdoor children's play area - the first of its kind in the region. Their unique experience combines retail and leisure for your perfect day out...

Altamount Gardens, Known as the most romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont is an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens located on a 100 acre estate. Whilst still little known, it ranks in the top ten of Irish gardens and is often referred to as 'the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown'

Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre. Based on a ten acre site, Arboretum provides the complete lifestyle experience with a pets store, restaurant, home ware, gift ware, furniture and a qualified team of plant experts all under the one roof. A guaranteed gardening and lifestyle experience, Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre, is a family run business and have established themselves as one of Irelands leading garden centres.

Activities

Carrigbeg Riding Stables, Carrigbeg, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow

Riding lessons available for children and adults from beginners to competition level. Features indoor and outdoor arena and cross country course. Cross country jumping for experienced riders. No trekking

Coole Equestrian Centre is situated adjacent to Lisnavagh Estate by the picturesque village of Rathvilly. Personalised attention from the highly qualified owners and staff is assured. Amenities include one of the largest trekking facilities in Leinster with over 500 acres and a range of natural and manmade fences to cater for all level of riding.

Go-With-The-Flow River Adventures, Carlow invites you to experience the River Barrow from a different perspective as you navigate your canoe through playful rapids on an unforgettable river safari.
If you feel like an adventure, wish to shoot the weirs or have splash battles with your friends then a river safari is an ideal way to spend an afternoon or day. Qualified river guides will supervise the inexperienced through the natural beauty of the Barrow Valley. Expect fun, laughter and excitement along the way. Ph 087 2529700

More to do and see

AnglingLet us arrange your angling equipment for a spot of fishing on our doorstep. The River Barrow flows through the back of the Dolmen Hotel.

The River Barrow is a unique recreational fishery, facilitating both game and coarse angling. The Barrow also supports a fishery for twaite shad and plays host to a prestigious international shad fishing competition. The Barrow is renowned as a game and coarse angling river for salmon, brown trout, roach, rudd, pike, perch and tench with easy access to all parts of the river from the Barrow footpath.

Horse Racing Relax in the Dolmen Hotel after a day at the races in Gowran park only 20 minute drive from Hotel. Special rates available for Race goers and horse sellers alike. Check out our special rate for Gorsebridge sales

Carlow Castle is situated on the banks of the River Barrow near carlow town centre, in county carlow. It was formerly one of the most impressive Norman castles in Ireland, but only the western wall and two towers survive. The castle is now the imposing centrepiece of a major urban renewal programme.

Ballymoon Castle is a national monument situated 2 miles (3 km) east of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), County Carlow, in a field adjacent to the fennagh road (L33). It is accessed by a small bridge over a deep field ditch. The castle is thought to date from the 13th century.

Huntington Castle A battlemented medieval castle, set in 50 acres of very fine gardens and parkland which are absolutely delightful with miles of woodland and riverside walks, bordered by the Rivers Slaney and Derry. With a temple to the Goddess Isis in the dungeon of the main castle, and a reputation for being one of the more eccentric houses in Ireland, this property is not for everyone. However both Stanley Kubrick and Mick Jagger have enjoyed its hospitality. It is one of the very rare houses in Ireland that has remained in the ownership of the same family since it was built. The family themselves have always been known for thier originality - in the present generation one is a sculptor, the other an artist. Manning Robertson, the grandfather, was a famous architect of the 1920s. His wife was the author of "Thrifty Sakmon Fishing".

Ballykeenan Pet & Aviary Farm, Myshall, Co. Carlow. Enjoy a great day out for all the family with a wide variety of fowl, animals and unusual birds with a feel and touch pet section. The farm yard at Ballykeenan is full of ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens and dogs. Horses, ponies, deer, goats and sheep all have their homes in the fields, while gerbils, hedgehogs, mice and various exotic birds are housed in the stone outbuildings and paddocks.

All visitors to the farm are given a fully guided tour which Robert McCord and his family imbue with an infectious enthusiasm, which enthrals and delights adults and children alike.

County Carlow Military Museum, Old Church, St. Dympna's, Athy Road, Carlow,
Website: www.countycarlowmilitarymuseum.com Email: military.museum@ireland.com

A fine museum exhibition housed in a late 19th century church. The museum features a wide range of exhibits relating to Carlow's military history. Artefacts date from die late 18th Century to the present day and detail the history of the Irish Army local Reserve Defence Forces, UN peacekeeping, Carlow Militia, World War I, War of Independence and much more. Other features focus on Carlow Soldiers in armies throughout the world along with armoured vehicle production in Carlow during World War II

Malones Fruit Farm, Closh, Ballon, Co. Carlow Tel: 059 - 9159477 Fax: 059-9159478Mobile: + 353 (0) 87 2352352 Email: malonefruitfarm@eircom.net Malones Fruit Farm is a family run business and consists of 12 acres of soft fruit. Fresh fruit including strawberries, raspberries, loganberries, blackberries, red, white and blackcurrants, gooseberries and tayberries can be purchased on the farm during the main season while large and small quantities of frozen fruit and a large selection of homemade jams and fruit juices/cordials are available all year round. The farm is a member of the Bord Glas Quality & Hygiene Scheme. Guided tours available to groups only by prior appointment.

Family Entertainment

Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Barrow Valley Retail Park, Sleaty Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow. (Beside Dome)

The Premier Snooker Establishment in Ireland - The Ivy Features 12 full sized Championship Snooker tables, a wide range of Video Machines and much, much more
- American & English pool tables
- Range of Snooker Equipment in stock
The Ivy has been the proud host of many prestigous Snooker tournaments - including the 2004 National and World Under 21 Championships - cementing its reputation as a quality Snooker venue.

Dome Family Entertainment Centre, Carlow Business Park, Graiguecullen, Carlow- There is something for everyone at Dome. Come and see for yourself and prepare to be mesmerised by their centre. The Dome caters for all ages from the very young to those still young at heart! This family-orientated entertainment centre offers

- State of the Art, 12 Lane AMF bowling Centre
- A massive 8,000 sq. ft. childrens play and activity area
- American/English Pool Tables (transferred to New Ivy Rooms snooker club across from Dome)
- Air Hockey, Video Games & Internet Access
- Simulators & Juke Boxes
- Teenage Discos
- Fantastic Diner and Coffee Shops
- Kids Go-Karts (coming soon)

Country Quads, Tinnecarrig, Borris, Co. Carlow- Country Quads can cater for all members of the family, from the child to adult. The course is suitable for all ages, from 8 years to 80! All weather all year round

The latest addition to the activities available at Country Quads, is the Shooting Cinema, the Marksman ST-2. This is a revolutionary simulated rifle and shotgun experience, which recreates the actual experience of shooting with uncanny accuracy.

Anyone, whether a complete beginner or experienced in shotgun or rifle shooting, can use the simulator to improve skills and enjoyment of the sport.

Carlow Brewing Company, The Goods Store, Station Road, Carlow- Carlow was once the traditional malt and hop producing region in Ireland boasting a number of breweries in the county, this practice had been discontinued for over 100 years until its revival in 1998 by Carlow Brewing Company.

The Brewery is housed in The Goods Store, a superb old stone building which in days gone by was the scene of the unloading of provisions for the town traders.

Beautifully restored and converted, the visitors bar is a pleasant setting in which tourists can sample the beers and also provides a unique setting for any private party or function.

Graiguecullen Swimming Pool, Graiguecullen, Carlow- Graiguecullen Swimming Pool is a fully heated, 25 Metre public facility, where visitors are very welcome. Full gymnasium and leisure centre on site.