mountain pass
Wicklow Gap
High mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
42 km · about 50 min drive
EuropeIrelandLeinster
Carlow
Leinster, Ireland · Europe
About Carlow
Carlow sits on the route: 20 minutes from Castledermot, 43km from Glendalough Upper Lake.
Carlow is in Leinster, Ireland, with about 24,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Castledermot, about 9 km away.
Carlow ( KAR-loh; Irish: Ceatharlach [ˈcahəɾˠl̪ˠəx]) is the county town of County Carlow, in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km (52 mi) from Dublin. At the 2022 census, it had a population of 27,351, the twelfth-largest urban centre in Ireland.
The River Barrow flows through the town and forms the historic boundaryRead more
between counties Laois and Carlow. However, the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 included the town entirely in County Carlow. The settlement of Carlow is thousands of years old and pre-dates written Irish history. The town has played a major role in Irish history, serving as the capital of the country in the 14th century. The town is in a townland and civil parish of the same name.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Carlow?
Within an hour or so of Carlow: Wicklow Gap (42 km), Glendalough Upper Lake (43 km), The Spinc, Glendalough (43 km), Glendalough (44 km).
Are there any good drives near Carlow?
The nearest famous roads are Wicklow Gap, Sally Gap and Copper Coast Geopark.
Where is Carlow?
Carlow is in Leinster, Ireland, about 9 km from Castledermot.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 24,272
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Leinster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 52.8408, -6.9261
Tags
Worth the detour from Carlow
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Glendalough Upper Lake
The upper of Glendalough's two lakes, ringed by cliffs and mine ruins at the head of the valley — quieter than the monastic city.
43 km · about 50 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The Spinc, Glendalough
A boardwalk ridge walk high above the Upper Lake at Glendalough, climbing beside the Poulanass waterfall.
43 km · about 50 min drive
ancient ruins
Glendalough
Atmospheric early medieval monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, with round tower, stone churches and tranquil lakes.
44 km · about 50 min drive
waterfall
Glenmacnass Waterfall
A waterfall spilling off the plateau beside the Military Road in the Wicklow Mountains, with parking right at the top.
47 km · about 55 min drive
racetrack
Mondello Park
Ireland's only permanent motorsport circuit, located in County Kildare and the home of Irish national racing since 1968.
48 km · about 55 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Vale of Avoca
A wooded river valley on the R752 in Wicklow at the meeting of the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers.
48 km · about 55 min drive
mountain pass
Sally Gap
A high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
53 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Carlow
- 42 kmWicklow GapHigh mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
- 43 kmThe Spinc, GlendaloughA boardwalk ridge walk high above the Upper Lake at Glendalough, climbing beside the Poulanass waterfall.
- 48 kmVale of AvocaA wooded river valley on the R752 in Wicklow at the meeting of the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers.
- 53 kmSally GapA high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
- 53 kmLough Tay (Guinness Lake)A dark lake with a pale sand beach at one end, viewed from the R759 above; used as the Viking village in the series Vikings.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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