County Carlow

This is Ireland’s smallest county, a place of rich pastures and rural landscapes on the south eastern corner of the country. County Carlow largely comprises of rolling farmland, with the picturesque Blackstairs Mountains flanking the county borders to the south, and the historic Barrow River Valley carving its way through the centre of the region. The market town of Carlow in the heart of the county lies on the banks of the River Barrow.

Carlow is regarded as the Celtic Centre of Ireland, with a number of monuments dating back to the Megalithic period dotted throughout the region. Browne’s Hill Dolmen is the most prominent is, around 5,000 years old and weighing some 100 tonnes. During the 12th century when Ireland was invaded by the Normans, they built their first castles in the country along the Barrow River Valley. The two towers and fortified walls that remain of Carlow Castle is the best example of their ancient structures, still standing today.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson