Hi Everyone. Time to get on the road once more as our Virtual Tour of Ireland continues. This week we venture into the beauty of County Carlow, also known as the Floral County on account of it being home to one of the best garden trails in Ireland.
County Carlow Highlights
1. Huntingdon Castle
So first up we’re off to the magnificent Huntingdon Castle in Clonegal village. It dates back to 1625 and came into being at the behest of the Edmond family. The guided tour is well worth taking and the gardens are outstanding. The Yew Tree walk and the Lime Tree Avenue are beautiful and it also boasts one of Ireland’s earliest water turbine houses at the ornamental lake.
2. Bagnelstown
Bagnelstown or Muine Bheag in Irish, is named after Walter Bagenal who was founder of the town and had notions of modelling the town on Versailles in France. His dreams weren’t fully realized but Bagnelstown still packs quite a punch with its beautiful riverside location and wealth of historic stone buildings and churches.
3. Blackstairs Mountains
Time for an invigorating wander through some of that rolling Irish countryside now. The Blackstairs Mountains run along the border of County Carlow and County Wexford. Mount Leinster is the highest peak of the Blackstairs range, standing at 2612 feet. It’s worth the walk to Nine Stones viewing point to enjoy the best views of the surrounding countryside.
4. Borris House
Time for some old style country glamour as we make a visit to Borris House. This stunning Irish country house nestles in the Barrow Valley, beautifully situated in the heart of that rolling County Carlow countryside. The house dates back to 1731 and is the ancestral home of the MacMorrough Kavanagh family. Tours can be arranged by appointment and chart the rich history of the house including the Borris Lace industry which was set up as a non-profit initiative during the time of the Great Famine by Lady Harriet Kavanagh.
5. Delta Sensory Gardens
We end our County Carlow journey in this truly unique and impressive garden. The Delta Sensory Gardens have been voted the number one attraction in county Carlow and for very good reason. 16 interconnected gardens offer a feast for all the senses. The sculptures and planting here are incredibly impressive. No matter what the season, there’s always a stunning display to enjoy so whether it’s the spring show of daffodils and tulips or the breathtaking colors of autumn.
Thanks so much for joining me on the journey. See you next week as we take a trip to County Kildare
Take care of yourselves and each other,
Slán go fóill!
Lulu.
