Bagenalstown Swimming Pool

Enjoy a breathtaking stroll along the River Barrow and take in all that Bagenalstown has to offer.

Leighlinbridge is a small village approximately 4km from Bagenalstown. Home to the famous Lord Bagenal Hotel and Home & Lifestyle Arboretum Garden Centre, definitely worth a visit on your trip to Bagenalstown. Facilities in Leighlinbridge include the award-winning Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre, a restaurant, hotel, pubs, castle, historic buildings, angling, walking routes and picnic site. The Millennium Garden or Garden Village consists of seven small gardens, each with its own theme represented by trees, shrubs and stones. Together the gardens represent the story of life. The Lord Bagenal Inn is a 4 Star family run Hotel since 1979, located on the banks of the River Barrow.Offering the highest of standards in both accommodation and dining, The Lord Bagenal Inn and its dedicated team will endeavor to surpass your every expectation.

Milford is a pleasant stop on the River Barrow which was once the centre of a thriving milling industry. The mill at Milford was established in the 1790s and is one of the most extensive and celebrated in Ireland. Electricity was generated from Milford in 1891, providing Carlow with the distinction of being the first inland town in Ireland and Britain to receive electric power. This idyllic setting features a woodland area, containing an aquatic triangle rich in wildlife with a diversity of plants, animals and habitats.

Situated in the beautiful Barrow Valley in County Carlow, Borris House is one of the most picturesque country houses in Ireland and is part of the Carlow Garden Trail. Constructed in the Tudor style, Borris House was built in 1731 by Morgan Kavanagh. It is the hereditary home of the MacMorrough Kavanagh family, former Celtic kings of Leinster, and the famous 12th century Kavanagh Charter Horn remains on display in the house today. In 1798 it was badly damaged but was carefully restored in 1820 by Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison. The ornate Stapleton ceilings and the Chapel of St Moling are both architectural highlights, as is the antique furniture, carpets, porcelain, silver and paintings on display. A not-for-profit famine lace industry was founded at Borris House by Lady Harriet Kavanagh to provide employment for the women of the village during the Great Famine of Ireland in the 19th century—today’s visitors will hear this famous story and see a small selection of Borris Lace for themselves. A walk through the gardens of Borris House will take in the breathtaking views of Mount Leinster, the Blackstairs Mountains and the Barrow Valley. The newly-established Lace Garden takes inspiration from Borris Lace, using symbols and shapes from the lace as well as a white colour palette of plants. In the parkland and church paddock, visitors will find a rich selection of stunning trees like the Lebanon cedar, fern leaf beech and tulip tree, as well as some exotic trees, shrubs and flora. Around the house, visitors can walk along the woodland paths, enjoy the fairy trail along the way and visit the 18th-century ice house. Borris House is available exclusively and completely for your use, you have the freedom to let your creativity run wild and make the wedding or event of your dreams a reality. We are not a hotel. We are a private family run house that opens up its doors to you and your guests with a warm and homely welcome.

Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, is part of the Carlow Garden Trail and has been awarded Ireland’s Store of the Year 2015, has created an exciting display garden to inspire the modern day customer. Helping visitors create their own dreams while showing them that gardening is both stylish and fun; this showpiece allows people to see that gardening can be enjoyed even with a busy lifestyle. The concept behind this design was to create a garden that is easy to care for, is low maintenance and delivers endless enjoyment. Designed to inspire visitors on planting schemes and solutions, the garden offers endless ideas that can be easily recreated in gardeners’ own homes. Gardening today is closely related to fashion and trends and keeping this in mind we have used modern materials while at the same time not forgetting that plants are the core element of any good garden design. In creating the new display garden we realised that children are an integral part of design regarding safety and fun. Keeping this in mind the team at Arboretum included a children’s maze which is a maximum height of 1 metre. This is located beside the terraced area of Rachel’s Garden Café. Families can also have fun in the play area or visit the friendly koi who live in the pond. A visit to the garden is a treat for the amateur or the enthusiast who will enjoy seeing the themed planting, use of colour, texture and form. The team at Arboretum have developed a ‘Give it a Grow Garden’ which is designed to create a fully functional grow your own with fruit, herbs, vegetables and chickens. The garden is designed to be accessible and functional for wheelchairs and disability access. Tours of the Arboretum Inspirational Gardens and the ‘Give it a Grow Garden’ can be booked on 059-9721558. There is an excellent children’s playground and a maze adjacent to the Inspirational Gardens. Rachel’s Garden Café has a terrace area located beside the playground so that while the children play, their parents can enjoy delicious home-cooked food.

BEAM – The Barrow Experience Garden, is part of the Carlow Garden Trail and is a unique series of ten interconnecting gardens which bring to life the history, folklore and heritage of the beautiful Barrow Valley. It is situated in the grounds of BEAM Services, a training centre for people with intellectual disabilities, on a picturesque site that bounds the canal off the River Barrow. There are ten individual gardens within the Barrow Experience – Dinn Righ, Druids’ Wood, Potager Garden, Monastic Courtyard, Convent Garden, Reflective Garden, Water Garden, Co-operation Garden, Mindfulness Garden and the French Garden. The gardens represent both an active, healthy environment for our members to work in, and a therapeutic environment to relax in – along with the general public, who are always welcome. FACILITIES: Car and coach park, wheelchair accessible. HOW TO FIND US: In the centre of Bagenalstown. GPS: 52.702973, -6.963991 OPENING TIMES: June, July and August, weekends only 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ADMISSION: €5 per person, group discount applies. COVID 19 Please check for further updates on Covid 19 restrictions by emailing beamservices@eircom.net or telephone 087-1223453 for appointments and check the Carlow Garden Trail website in the link in this listing.

The Borris Viaduct Walk offers a leisurely stroll around the spectacular sixteen arch viaduct with beautiful views to the blackstairs Mountains and Mount Leinster. It is a Sixteen-arch limestone built former railway viaduct, c. 1860. Designed by William le Fanu. Recently opened and a wonderful walk with picnic area.

Bagenalstown, otherwise known in its Gaelic version as Muine Bheag is situated on a pleasant stretch of the River Barrow. The River Barrow in this area is renowned for coarse fishing with wheelchair friendly fishing stands located near the outdoor heated swimming pool. The Barrow Way long distance walking route passes through the town. It has a train station and service from Waterford to Heuston Station, Dublin commutes several times daily, which takes 1 hour.

Bagenalstown Swimming Club is a 25m outdoor heated swimming pool and kids paddling pool which opens its doors to the public (both members and non-members) from June - September each year. The club also offers swimming lesson for adults and kids, Water Safety and hosts Swimming Galas and Open Water races throughout the summer. The pool is also available for private hire for group bookings or summers camps. For more infomation please sent us a private message or you can inqure at the pool.

At Carlow Brewing Company our focus has always been on the ancient craft of bewing, situated as we are in the Barrow Valley with its centuries old tradition of brewing Irish craft beers they are proud to have been at the forefront of the revival of traditional Irish craft brewing for almost 20 years. While Ireland’s prestigious reputation for producing quality beers dwindled over time, a craft brewing revival began in Britain and America in the 1980’s when these two countries gained great diversity in brewing and Ireland looked to follow suit. In the early 1990’s the O’Hara family, along with a few other beer-loving entrepreneurs, stepped onto the scene, ready to put Ireland on the map. Ireland’s microbreweries were born again and the wheels were set in motion for the slow but highly successful craft beer renaissance. As one of the originators and innovators of the craft brewing revival in Ireland Carlow Brewing Company and the O’Hara family have managed to take this heritage and bring our brewery the point where we now brew a range multi-award winning Irish craft beers. Established in 1996, Carlow Brewing Company is known as one of the pioneers in Irish craft brewing. The dedication and expertise of their master brewers has meant that since 1996 the company has won many national and international awards for their range of Irish craft beers and stouts. On a tour of our brewery in Bagenalstown you will learn about Ireland’s indigenous brewing history, meet our team of brewers who’ll share their passion for brewing Irish craft beers, learn about the brewing process from start to finish, taste the special malts used to brew O’Hara’s beers and smell the hops. We’ll also invite you sample some of these award winning beers O’Hara’s Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Red, Curim Gold, O’Haras Leann Folláin (Extra Irish Stout) and O’Hara’s Irish Pale Ale. Then continue the experience by joining us at our award winning pub, Brewery Corner on Parliament St, in Ireland’s medieval city, Kilkenny. Brewery Corner is Kilkenny’s first dedicated craft beer pub and Ireland’s only pub to serve exclusively Irish craft beer on tap. You’ll currently find 13 taps always pouring the full O’Hara’s beer range plus guest Irish craft beers and ciders. You’ll also find the friendliest staff just waiting to welcome you and to impart their knowledge on the beers on offer. Weekly public tours: Thursdays at 4pm Group bookings by arrangement, booking essential. Contact us by phone or email

The Royal Oak is a tiny village on the outskirts of Bagenalstown. It is a beautiful little village, very quaint and well worth a visit. Home of Royal Oak Distillery, Doyle's Royal Oak Stores Shop & Deli, The Oak Tavern Bar & Restaurant and The Pint Depot Pub, its well worth the visit.

New Arthur Keppel Trip Boat will be launched this Summer. The Boat will carry approx 12 people and will have regular tours starting in Bagenalstown and Finishing in Leighlinbridge. We look forward to Arthur Keppels Arrival. Full details to follow soon!

Three-bay double-height Classical style post office, c. 1915, with modillion cornice, full-width pediment and three-bay range to side, this was once the busiest spot in Bagenalstown. It's beautiful classical features really capture the beauty of Bagenalstown.

The Fairgreen in Bagenalstown is a lovely small park and playground.

ANGLING INFORMATION AND FACILITIES The River Barrow is renowned as a coarse and game angling river for bream, roach, dace, hybrids, rudd, perch and pike, brown trout, sea trout and salmon. The river has easy access points via a towpath. In 2020 a strict catch and release policy applies in respect of all salmon, while the river is closed for all eel fishing. The salmon and brown trout season on the River Barrow commenced on March 17th and finishes on September 30th. Other fishing (with the exception of salmon and brown trout) is available year round. The rivers Greese and Lerr, tributaries of the River Barrow provide excellent brown trout fishing while the River Burrin is one of the finest trout fishing rivers in the region. The excellent stocks of quality pike are one of the main attractions for anglers on the River Barrow, with stocks of 20+lbs. Pike angling is carried out on all stretches of the river between Athy and St. Mullins with the main locations being Bahana Wood (just above St. Mullins), Graiguenamanagh and Ballytiglea Bridge near Borris. Pike, bream and hybrids are the primary species but rudd is also abundant here. It is vital to familiarise oneself with the pike regulations, prior to fishing for pike. In 2020 there is a catch and release policy for salmon and sea trout fishing on the River Slaney in order to conserve stocks. As with brown trout fishing it is prohibited to use any lure other than artificial fly with single barbless hooks, for trout on the River Slaney, and double barbless hooks for salmon. The trout and salmon season on the River Slaney commences on March 17th and finishes on August 31st for salmon and September 16th for trout. Fishing on the River Slaney is mainly private – day tickets on Tullow Fishing Club waters are available at the Ardattin Inn, Ardattin or by contacting Gerard Mellett, Secretary T: 089-4109798. A state licence is required to fish for salmon and sea trout. The Slaney gets a reasonable run of spring salmon and a small number of grilse also run annually. This year saw a huge increase in the numbers of sea trout caught on the River Slaney, a welcome improvement in numbers over recent years. LICENCES: A state licence is only required to fish for salmon ans sea trout. All-Ireland salmon fishing licence – €100 per year, salmon district licence – €56 per year, 21 – day All Ireland or district salmon fishing licence – €40, Under 17 All-Ireland salmon fishing licence – €10 one day, All-Ireland salmon fishing licence – €20. These are state licences, and along with these, specific club licences are needed. Tullow Anglers operate eight miles of bank from upstream of Tullow, towards Bunclody. Licence fees are below and can be obtained from Gerard Mellett, Secretary, T: 089-4109798, purchase online membership by visiting slaneyfishing.com or email info@slaneyfishing.com Trout membership = yearly €25 Trout day ticket = €10 Salmon membership yearly = €100 Salmon day ticket = €35 Junior trout member = €10 Junior Salmon member yearly = €35 FACILITIES Carlow Town: Waterways Ireland has provided an 84 metre floating jetty for Carlow Town, installed on the Graiguecullen side of the river, just downstream of the steps in Carlow Town Park. Slipways have been provided in Carlow Town Park, Clogrennane, Bagenalstown, Goresbridge and Graiguenamanagh and toilets at Clashganny. Leighlinbridge: Berthing available for up to 25 boats on the banks of the River Barrow beside the Lord Bagenal Inn. T: 059 9774000.

Fr. Albert Bibby's Monument is located on Beechers Hill in Bagenalstown. The monument honours Fr Albert Bibby and Nurse Margaret Kehoe for their involvement in 1916.

McGrath Memorial Park is located on the outskirts of Bagenalstown and boasts Large Pitch for hurling, soccer, football.

Walter Bagenal's original concept was a town of great architectural merit, based on Versailles, overlooking the River Barrow. Instead, as the town developed, it effectively turned its back on the river. One of Bagnal's main projects was the imposing 1820s courthouse, modelled on the Parthenon, but access from the river elevation was never realised as intended. As the first stage of its plan to "turn" Bagenalstown back towards the Barrow, the council has created a link between the courthouse and the river. A terraced garden has been constructed to the rear of the building, connecting the river and Bachelor's Walk, via the courthouse, to the town's Main Street. The project, which has received Department of the Environment and EU funding under the 2000-2006 urban and village renewal scheme, follows a restoration of the courthouse in the 1990s. It is now a library but well worth a look!

Dunleckney Manor is a Tudor Gothic manor house set in nine acres of parkland and formal gardens near the River Barrow in County Carlow. The property is available for holiday rentals between May and October. Dunleckney is 1 hour south-west of Dublin and is well-located for exploring popular tourist attractions around Kilkenny and Carlow. Local things to do include horse racing, fishing, walking and visiting local food and drink producers. The house is accessed via an electric gate and a long cherry-tree lined avenue. The house has five large reception rooms on the ground floor including a drawing room, library, dining room, living room. These rooms are accessible from the 50ft high staircase hall that sits at the centre of the house. There is games room with pool table and dart board next to the living room. On the first floor there is a cinema room with DVD player, cinema screen and widescreen TV. Around the first floor landing are three large double bedrooms: the Tower bedroom, Bagenal room and the Nursery. The Nursery bedroom has an adjoining dressing room/sitting room with space for a cot. These bedrooms share two bathrooms - each with a shower and bath. Towards the rear of the house is the ensuite Herb Garden double bedroom and the three room Yew suite containing two double beds, a single bed and bathroom with a slipper bath. On the ground floor towards the rear of the house is the Laburnum Suite with a large oak double bed, single bed and ensuite shower/bathroom. Outside, the grounds have been restored to their original designs and feature parkland, ancient trees, a pond, pleasure gardens and a walled garden with outdoor seating. The first manor was built on the site in the early 1600s by the Bagenal family. The founder of the Irish branch of the family, Sir Nicholas Bagenal, was Commander of the English army in Ireland for Elizabeth I. Property and land was the reward in those days for serving the Crown. Such was their influence in the region that the local town - Bagenalstown - bears their name to this day. The kitchen block and the walled garden at the back of the present house are all that remain of this period. The estate passed to the Newton family by marriage when the Bagenals ran out of male heirs in the early 1800s. The ‘new’ Manor was built in the 1830s by Walter Newton, son of Sarah Bagenal. Sarah was the daughter of the adventurer and duellist Beauchamp Bagenal - the last of the male line. The manor is representative of the Gothic Revival that became fashionable after the long Georgian period. It was designed as a Tudor Gothic mansion by the English architect Daniel Robertson, an admirer of Pugin - the foremost exponent of this style. Among Pugin’s many great works is the Palace of Westminster. Robertson also renovated Oriel College, Oxford.

The arrival of the railway in 1846 rejuvenated the town, and its neo-classical railway station is one of the finest in Ireland. Attributed to William Deane Butler it is constructed of limestone and granite and is a seven bay, two-storey building in an Italianate villa style. Today Bagenalstown station still retains its charm in a largely unaltered state. This former mill town made full use of the river Barrow to transport grain, beet, coal, turf and Guinness by barge, evidence of which can be seen in its fine industrial architecture. Near the railway bridge on the R705 Borris road is an example of the Carlow fence which consists of a decorative fence made of granite pieces, laid horizontally over vertical posts and is found nowhere else in the world.

The steeple of St Andrew's Church is one of the great landmarks of Bagenalstown. St. Andrew’s opened for worship on Christmas Day 1820 and has continued in use to the present. The steeple was added in the mid 1800’s. St. Andrew’s was renovated in 1893 with porches added in 1917. The mortuary chapel was added in the 1950’s. The Bicentenary was celebrated in the year 2020.

Ballyloughan Castle is a ruined castle and National Monument in County Carlow near Bagenalstown. A twin-towered gatehouse, the hall and foundations of one of the corner towers, dating to about the 13th century. It consisted of a large open courtyard with a curtain wall and a moat outside. Only a small square tower of Ballyloughan Castle remains, as well as the entrance gate which is flanked by two large rounded towers. Ballyloughan Castle originally belonged to the Kavanaghs before passing into the hands of the Bagenal family of nearby Bagenalstown and following this the Bruen family in the early 19th century. No access allowed. The castle may be viewed from the nearby adjacent gate.

Ballymoon Castle is a National Monument situated 3.5km east of Bagenalstown, County Carlow. The castle is thought to date from the 14th century. The castle is accessible to the public, with access via a small wooden bridge over a ditch, in a field next to the Fennagh road. Visitors can access the castle walls at ground level. Ballymoon Castle as striking as it is unusual comprises a courtyard about 80 feet square, surrounded by granite walls, 8 feet thick and 20 feet high. Square towers project from three sides while a formidable gatehouse is the feature of the fourth. The interior of Ballymoon Castle is now bare but originally featured two-storey structures built up against the inner walls. Ballymoon Castle was most probably built by Roger Bigod or by a member of the Carew family.

The Royal Oak Distillery is a world class distillery producing hand crafted Irish whiskey, proudly located on an 18th century estate in Ireland's Ancient East region. Visitors can experience a revival of historic tradition as well as forging ahead with innovation in a fully guided, multi-sensory tour of one of Ireland's largest operational whiskey distilleries: see first-hand how all three styles of Irish whiskey - pot still, malt and grain - are created! The Royal Oak Distillery is unique in being the first to distil all 3 types of whiskey under one roof. Pick from our great range of tasting experiences at our historic Royal Oak Estate, taking in Holloden House (1755) and the beautiful scenery that makes Royal Oak the perfect place to relax while learning about our great crafted whiskeys. We have 3 tour options: Royal Oak Journey – €15 – this will include one tasting of a premium whiskey Single Malt Experience – €25 – this will include 3 tasting of premium Single Malts each matured in different barrel selections to allow a better understanding of the barrel and influence on whiskey Connoisseurs Choice - €40 - this will include 3 tastings of select limited edition whiskies from cask finish & cask strength varieties.

Bagenalstown Pitch & Putt Club was founded in 1963 and is a affiliated with the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland. The current grounds was once a 9 hole golf course but now is home to our pitch and putt course. We were awarded the course of the year in 1994. The course is graded at a Provincial standard by the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland. The club is situated in the McGrath Park Sports Complex which also houses the local football, hurling, camogie, cricket, tennis and soccer clubs, located on the outskirts of the town in the townland of Dunleckney and is 15 minutes from Carlow, 20 minutes from Kilkenny and 1 hour from Dublin. The club composes of 18 holes with various lengths from 32 metres to 70 metres and various altitudes which provides a challenge for even the top senior players. The course will reward those who are accurate off the tee. The course is 853 metres long spread out across 5 acres so there is plenty of room even if the odd shot does go astray. The current course record is held by Seán Downes (Stackallen) with a score of 40 (-14), which he shot for his county Meath at the 2008 Leinster Inter County Championships, the last major championship held in Bagenalstown.