Adventures in Carlow
Families can enjoy the perfect break in Carlow, with some fantastic activities on offer to suit both young and old
From acres of woodland parks to family boat trips, family canoeing and cycling trips, stunning gardens and superb playgrounds, there’s something to keep the whole family entertained and occupied. Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean going far either – Carlow is within easy reach of most of the country, making it the ideal destination. And the accommodation is fantastic value, with great o ers still available for summer and into the autumn period. Choose from a range of family-friendly hotels, self-catering, B&B’S and guesthouses.
Here’s a selection of options to consider: For an outdoor adventure for all the family, hop aboard a traditional Irish open boat with Cli Reid of Boattrips.ie. Kids will enjoy spotting all manner of wildlife such as king shers, otters, dragon ies and shoals of sh as they glide past on the boat while adults will love hearing Cli recount the tales and legends of the river and the boatmen who plied its waters. For those with a busy lifestyle, it’s the perfect occasion to switch o the mobile phone and relax inches above the waterline, unwinding to a more soothing pace of life.
Boattrips.ie, Jetty, Carlow Town Park Tel: 087-2061999
Email: boattrips.ie@gmail.com boattrips.ie
Situated on 2.5 acres, Delta Sensory Gardens on the outskirts of Carlow Town are simply a joy to discover for any age group. With 16 individual gardens, there is so much to see here, from the wonderful Waterfall Garden with its shoals of large and small sh, to the Willow, Mediterranean and Sculpture Gardens. en there’s the ve senses gardens where the Kugal, one tonne of pink marble oating on a cushion of water, is a unique attraction. Expect to lose the little ones as they race excitedly ahead, discovering new sights and sounds at every turn. Consistently voted the number one thing to do in Carlow by Tripadvisor, the gardens also feature the lovely Café yme with a strong focus on healthy, tasty and unique lunches and snacks. Delta Sensory Gardens and Garden Centre, Strawhall Estate
Tel: 059 914 3527
Email: info@deltacentre.org deltasensorygardens.com
Known for its wide-open spaces Carlow is perfect for families wishing to enjoy the great outdoors – from family cycling and canoeing trips to leisure and hiking options, there’s so much to discover in Carlow’s stunning countryside. Start your exploration on the River Barrow, aboard a canoe, kayak or paddle-board from local companies Go-withe-flow River Adventures (gowiththe ow.ie) and Pure Adventure (pureadventure.ie).
It’s a lovely way to discover the river and a particularly fun and engaging family activity as you negotiate the rapids and travel over the weirs. Professionally guided, all tours are suitable for families with fantastic memories guaranteed!
For walkers, there are a whole range of leisure options from Oak Park Forest Park to Bahana Forest, Clogrennane Wood and Kilbrannish Forest Recreation Areas in the
Blackstairs Mountains.
Why not opt for a class at Mount Brandon
Pottery School, run by Carmen Wenner, a quali ed potter, registered with the Cra s Council of Ireland? Students learn how to make pinch and coil pots and slab building as well as how to throw a pot on the electric potter’s wheel. Choose from a two-hour taster class (if you’ve never done pottery before) or a longer course to gain more insight into the art of pottery. Enjoyable entertainment for all the family to experience. eir well-maintained grounds also feature two self-catering properties, each sleeping ve, approved to four-star Fáilte Ireland standards mountbrandoncottages.com
Mount Brandon Pottery School, Tinnahinch, Co. Carlow
Tel: 085 110 8257
Email: mountbrandonpottery@gmail.com
Another great Irish brand for kids’ clothes is Cotton cater pillars by Kata O’donovan. “The idea of making comfortable and funky kids clothing originated from the difficulty of finding such clothing in high street stores for my baby who was born in 2013. I loved seeing my little guy wear all the colourful outfits, and it gave me peace of mind to know he was cozy in his clothes. Realising that I wasn’t the only one struggling to find vibrant and multicoloured clothes that would allow my children to play and explore the world freely, I decided to make outfits for sale, so Cotton cater pillars was born,” says Kata of her new business.
“My brand is all about sustainability and slow fashion. Cotton cater pillars are designed and made in Cork. I used my experience of being a mother of two children to carefully design and create each piece that was put to the test by my two kids. These products will make life easier for any parent.” Kata launched her new ‘grow with baby’ collection last year with huge success. These garments grow with your child, so you get longer from them. To see her full range, go to cottoncaterpillars.ie