Holiday cottages and self-catering accommodation in County Carlow, south east Ireland

County Carlow is in the south east of Ireland, bordered by County Kilkenny and County Wexford to the south, and the Blackstairs Mountains to the east - a land of gardens, rivers and rolling green Irish countryside. This area is characterised by its waterways, and barges can be hired from Vicarstown, a pretty village known for live music.

The River Barrow arises from the foothills of the Slieve and Bloom and Devil's Bit mountains. From time immemorial, the river has provided a home for birds and fish and, in more recent times, a method of transport for such esteemed cargoes as Guinness Stout. Fishing and birdwatching are popular outdoor activities with canoeing available for the more adventurous. Carlow town on the river Barrow is a market town with good amenities. Other towns and villages in Carlow include: Borris, Bagenalstown, Nurney, Tullow with its centre and rivers for angling, Ballon with popular Altamont Gardens, Leighlinbridge, Rathvilly with good mountain views, Hacketstown with its walks and trails with mountain views, and Clonmore with an Irish heritage tour - perfect for visitors.

Rent a self-catering holiday cottage as a base for touring the south east of Ireland - holiday cottages in Ireland

With such rich countryside, County Carlow is also known for its gardens and the Carlow Garden Trail has been established in order to lead the visitor through the many choices from walled to formal gardens. Golf is a popular activity in this area and there are many fine parkland golf courses to choose from. Perhaps you might like to try a new outdoor activity. County Carlow is the perfect place to try quad biking or clay pigeon shooting or perhaps more traditional pursuits such as cycling, angling or horse riding.

What could be more fitting in the land where Guinness was transported than a visit to a brewery. Carlow Brewing Company is a microbrewery which offers Brewery Tours with an opportunity to taste the finished product.    

Self-catering holiday cottages, houses and apartments to rent in County Carlow: