- St Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March whenever it falls in the week. There's usually a street parade and live entertainment.
- Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally, open to vehicles of more than 30 years, is based in Portlaoise and circles through Kildare, Stradbally, Athy and Carlow. It's held in June over the Bank Holiday weekend.
- Carlow Arts Festival (formerly Éigse) is held over ten days in June. Wide programme, multiple venues, including many free events.
- Carlow Garden Festival at the end of July opens up many gardens that aren't usually accessible.
Carlow travel guide
Plan a trip to Carlow, Ireland — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Carlow Cathedral, Sleaty Church 2, Duckett's Grove, Kneestown.
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Stays in Carlow
Hotellook
Compare hotels and apartments in Carlow — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.
- Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
- Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
- Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
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Flights in Carlow
Aviasales
Find flights into Carlow and compare fares across airlines in one place.
- Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
- Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
- Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
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Experiences in Carlow
Klook
Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Carlow — book ahead and skip the guesswork.
- Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
- Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
- Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
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Tickets in Carlow
Tiqets
Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Carlow — museums, landmarks, and city passes.
- Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
- Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
- Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
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Transfers in Carlow
Kiwitaxi
Private airport and city transfers for Carlow — fixed price, driver waiting for you.
- Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
- Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
- Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
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Cars in Carlow
GetRentacar
Rent a car around Carlow for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.
- Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
- Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
- Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
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eSIM in Carlow
Yesim
Travel eSIM data for visiting Carlow — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
- Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
- Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.