Being just a little over one hour from Dublin City and just over two hours from Cork, one of the aspects that attract people to County Carlow is its accessibility. For those travelling from further afield, Carlow is convenient to the major entry points into Ireland, with Dublin, Dún Laoghaire and Rosslare ferry ports, and Dublin Airport all within easy reach, as well as access to regular bus and train services.

But accessibility is just one of Carlow’s many appeals. With breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventures, fabulous food and culture, Carlow is also a place for unforgettable experiences. And with its peaceful settings and laid-back atmosphere, Carlow is ideal for remote workers.

Eileen O’Rourke, CEO of Carlow Tourism, says, “For those with a busy lifestyle, Carlow is the perfect place for a working holiday offering important downtime in a place with a more relaxed pace of life.”

Eileen says it’s a suitable location for all types of personal situations. “For example there are plenty of attractions to keep young kids entertained for families that might have one parent working part-time while on a holiday break. Carlow is also the perfect destination for individuals on a remote working holiday, hybrid workers looking to relocate to Carlow, or companies organising team meet-ups or training days. There are many hotels in Carlow that offer fantastic facilities for remote workers and families (turn the page to read more on this). 

“While in Carlow, all family members, companies or individuals have a great variety of visitor experiences to choose from, which will maximise the enjoyment of the work break.”

Great Outdoors

Research shows that short breaks can boost engagement at work. And studies have shown that being in nature can have an overall positive effect on your sense of enthusiasm, aliveness, and energy. With stunning mountains, glorious countryside and river valleys, Carlow offers an array of exceptional natural features that provide the perfect backdrop to some of the finest outdoor activities. 

There’s a range of walking trails such as the scenic Barrow Way, which follows along the second-longest river in Ireland, the Barrow. The walk covers a distance of 114km, but can be divided into a series of manageable stretches and can also be used for cycling.

For an invigorating walk, follow the Kilbrannish Trails, which link Kilbrannish Forest North and Kilbrannish Forest South on the Blackstairs Mountains to make one complete circuit of 14km, along mainly flat terrain. And for a more relaxed stroll, visit Oak Park Forest Park, which is just outside Carlow Town and is a popular destination for walkers and joggers. Extending almost 4km, the walks include Butlers Wood Loop (700m), the Lake Path, Fox Covert Trail (1,100m) and Lost Forest Trail (1,100m).

Then there’s a host of other exciting outdoor activities, such as canoeing on the River Barrow with Pure Adventure and Go With the Flow River Adventures. The county has a superb range of golf courses to choose from, all within easy distance of Carlow Town. These include Carlow Golf Club, Mount Wolseley, Borris Golf Club and Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club. Bunclody is the only golf course in Europe with an elevator taking you from the 17th hole up five floors to the 18th tee box, giving a bird’s eye view over the River Slaney.

Carlow also has mountain-biking, cycling trails, and even an outdoor heated swimming SPONSORED ‘Wander off the Track’ on a ‘workcation’ in County Carlow With authentic experiences, hidden gems and a relaxed pace of life, we look at why County Carlow as a destination is perfect for a remote working trip pool in Bagenalstown, so there’s plenty for the outdoor enthusiast.

Family-friendly attractions   

For those bringing the family along on their remote working trip, there are a range of attractions to keep everyone happy.

Set against the backdrop of the picturesque village of Leighlinbridge, ‘Arboretum: Your Home & Garden Heaven’ is a haven of shopping and experience all rolled into one. With a love of plants and an ambition to create a unique customer experience, Arboretum has grown from a small backyard business to a world-class lifestyle destination in just 40 years.

The inspirational display gardens allow visitors to take a break from shopping to relax and unwind as they stroll through the exclusive display gardens to inspire imagination and creativity in their own garden dream. Finally, you can pop into Rachel’s Garden Café and enjoy a delicious treat with something on offer for everyone.

Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens in Kneestown is a real gem. Around the ruins of the 19th century great house and former estate are beautiful gardens to explore, brimming with historical varieties of roses, peonies, perennials and flowering shrubs. It’s one of the most romantic and photogenic attractions. There’s also a playground located within the grounds, featuring slides, poles, an obstacle course and lots more. Altamont Gardens in Tullow are an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens with riverside walks covering over 40 acres.

History buffs can discover the history of Carlow at the Carlow County Museum. For kids, there’s a ‘Museum Detective’ game, where clues lead them and their parents on a journey around the museum. While you can get your cultural fix at the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre.

For an outdoor adventure for all the family, enjoy an open-boat trip on the beautiful River Barrow. Kids will enjoy spotting all manner of wildlife such as kingfishers, otters, dragonflies and shoals of fish as they glide past the boat. For those seeking a little peace, it’s the perfect occasion to switch off the mobile phone and relax inches above the waterline, unwinding to a more soothing pace of life. Boat trips are available with boattrips.ie in Carlow Town and An Bád Keppel in Bagenalstown.

Discover Carlow

In Carlow, as well as a variety of attractions and blissful scenery, there’s also an infinite list of places to eat and drink. The locals are friendly. Carlow has attractive, clean towns and villages. It’s only a short journey from Dublin, with excellent roads and less traffic. What’s not to love?

Carlow is an ideal location for a remote working office. With a treasure trove of gorgeous gardens, unique historical castles, and stunning natural sites, you’ll find it is an escape, even if you are working! Whether you’re seeking fun, adventure or quiet reflection, then charming Carlow awaits you.

Visual Carlow

Visit carlowtourism.com