County Carlow with its rich Celtic past is steeped in historical and archaeological artefacts.

The legends of Co. Carlow began with the destruction of Dinn Righ, an immense hill fort near Leighlinbridge. This fort was, according to tradition destroyed by Labraidh Loinseach who is said to have come from Gaul with the first wave of Celtic settlers around 300 B.C.Before that pre-Christian inhabitants of the region left their mark in the form of tomb monuments or dolmens, the largest of which is at Browneshill with a capstone weighing roughly 100 tonnes. Dolmens such as these dotted throughout the county were used as communal burial grounds during the earlier Neolithic period and possibly also for religious rituals, and were constructed around 3300-2900 B.C.

The establishment of Christianity saw the development of a number of religious sites in Co. Carlow including the 7th century monastery at Old Leighlin and the religious settlements at St. Mullins and Clonmore.After the Norman invasion Art MacMurrough Kavanagh became King of Leinster and scourge of the English armies in Ireland in the 14th century. The MacMurrough Kavanaghs of Borris immediately became the most feared fighting force in the country and succeeded in having the Pale confined to Dublin until 1534. Lineal representatives of the MacMurrough Kavanagh family still live at Borris House in Borris village.Later, penal laws, the banishment of the Gaelic Society, the dispersal of the power of the MacMurrough Kavanaghs and the confiscation and humiliations of the 18th century caused a build up which lead to the inevitable explosion of 1798. Co. Carlow along with Co. Wexford took the brunt of the fighting in the '98 rebellion. The bodies of 640 slaughtered croppies (so called because of their allegiance to the cause) were covered in an unhallowed mass grave on the site of an old disused sand pit. This monument "The Croppies Grave" is situated in Graiguecullen, Carlow.The following is a brief account of the rich variety of historical and archaeological monuments to be found in the county.

CASTLES

Carlow Castle
Now stands on the eastern bank of the River Barrow. It is thought to have been built by William de Marshall, Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Leinster between 1207 and 1213 and is similar in design to Ferns Castle in Co Wexford. Today, two battered towers and part of an intervening wall are all that remain after a local physician tried to remodel it as an asylum in 1814. In an effert to demolish the interior he placed explosive charges at its base and demolished all but the west wall and towers.

Ballymoon Castle, Bagenalstown.
Just 3.5 km east of Bagenalstown this ruined castle dates to the 14th century. The castle – as striking as it is unusual - comprises a courtyard about 80 feet square, delimited 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. Access direct from the road via small timber footbridge.Ballyloughan Castle, Bagenalstown.A twin-towered gatehouse, the hall and foundations of one of the corner towers of a large castle circa 1300 occupied in late medieval times by the Kavanaghs. Access direct, on private land.

Clonmore Castle, Clonmore.
Twelfth century fortress of roughly coursed granite rubble with extensive remodelling and additions. 
 
Duckett's Grove, near Carlow Town.
Originally the Georgian home of the Duckett family, from the middle of the 17th century until 1915. Although burnt in 1933 the remaining towers and turrets, mostly ivy clad, give this enchanting structure a fairy tale air.Huntington Castle and Gardens Clonegal, Co. Carlow.Formerly an 0' Kavanagh stronghold the castle was destroyed in the early 17th century and rebuilt in 1625 by the Esmondes with further additions in later years. The present castellated house is the result of additions and alterations of many periods it's nucleus being the tower house. Guided tours feature visits to the Gardens and the Temple of Isis, conducted by Miss Olivia Robertson, the well known artist and writer.

Black Castle, Leighlinbridge.
The village of Leighlinbridge developed at this strategic crossing on the River Barrow, defended by the Black Castle. In 1181, the Norman, Hugh de Lacy built the first castle here to defend the crossing while the present castle is reported to have been built by Sir Edward Bellingham in 1547. All that remains today is the west half of a 14th century round tower and part of the bawn.

Rathnageeragh Castle, Myshall.
The remains of this castle consist of a square gatehouse of two storeys.

FIELD MONUMENTS.

Browneshill Dolmen, near Carlow Town.
One very unmistakable monument dating back to pre-historical times is the great dolmen at Browneshill to the east of Carlow town. The magnificent capstone has excited the interest of many antiquarians and tourists down through the years. The dolmen has a granite capstone weighing about 100 tonnes and is the largest of its kind in Europe. It is thought that religious rites, possibly even human sacrifice, were performed there for four and a half thousand years (2500 B.C.) and is testament to the fact that even our ancestors in the mists of pre-history regarded the area as somewhere special. Signposted, direct access - 3km from Carlow town on the Hacketstown road.

Cloch-a-Foil, Aghade, Tullow, Co. Carlow.
South of Tullow in Ardristan lies a large holed stone of great antiquity which may have once been part of a megalithic tomb. For over 2,000 years it was believed that sick infants if passed through the six inch hole would be restored to health.

Clonmore
Situated on the approach to Clonmore village is the triple bullaun stone, a large natural stone in situ with three hollows scooped out. It was used for pounding ingredients in pre-historic times as a mortar and pestle might be used today. Nearby is an ancient holy well now much altered.

Haroldstown Dolmen, Tullow, Co, Carlow.
A well preserved example of a portal dolmen consisting of two slightly tilted capstones supported by ten vertical stones, two of which acted as the "Door" to the tomb. Near Tullow off the R727 - access direct, on private land,

Rathgall Stone Fort, Tullow.
An extensive hillside fortification with 8th century outer walls and later medieval inner walls. Evidence from excavations carried out at Rathgall suggests that hill forts were constructed from the late Bronze Age into the Iron Age and continued to be used into post medieval times. On excavation in 1969 Rathgall turned out to be the first Later Bronze Age Workshop located in Ireland and more than 400 clay moulds were found there. Situated 5km from Tullow on the Shillelagh road - access direct.