Avlon Bed & Breakfast Carlow
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Don’t Let the Summer Showers Dampen Your Spirits: A Cheerful Carlow Escape

Ah, the Irish summer: that magical time of year when you can enjoy sunshine, drizzle, a gust of wind and artistic cloud formations to marvel at, all before you’ve finished your first cuppa of the day. Here in Carlow, we believe the weather is not an obstacle. It’s part of the entertainment.

So, if you’re thinking, “Should we risk a few days away in Carlow if there might be rain?” the answer is a heartfelt YES. Pack the waterproof jacket, bring your sense of adventure and come anyway.

Step Outside:

Carlow is made for gentle exploring. If the weather is behaving head for a stroll along the River Barrow, where the pace is easy, the views are lovely and there’s no need to pretend you’re training for a triathlon. The Barrow Way offers peaceful towpath walking, perfect for visitors who enjoy fresh air.

Garden lovers will feel right at home too. Altamont Gardens, Delta Sensory Gardens and the wider Carlow Garden Trail offer colour, calm and plenty of “we could do that at home” inspiration, followed, naturally, by the realisation that your own garden!

For a dose of history, visit Duckett’s Grove, Carlow Castle or Brownshill Dolmen. These places have stood through centuries of Irish weather, so there’s no reason not to marvel at their grandeur.

The secret to enjoying Carlow in summer is simple: dress like an optimist, pack like a realist.

If the rain decides to make a grand entrance, Carlow has plenty of indoor places to keep the day bright. Visit Carlow County Museum for local stories, fascinating heritage. The VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre is another excellent choice, ideal for anyone who enjoys art, culture.

For something comforting, make time for a local café, a garden centre browse, or a visit to the Chocolate Garden of Ireland, because if there is one thing that improves a rainy afternoon, it is chocolate. Carlow also offers shops, cinema, art galleries and cosy corners where you can linger and enjoy the here and now.

At our small Carlow bed and breakfast, Avlon House, we can’t promise uninterrupted sunshine, if we could, we’d be doing well. But we can promise a warm welcome, local tips, comfortable rooms and the kind of breakfast that makes even a grey morning feel full of possibility. So don’t let the summer showers dampen your spirits. Come to Carlow, bring your raincoat, and discover how lovely a holiday can be when you stop waiting for perfect weather and start enjoying the day you’ve got.

gentle cruise along the Barrow
Brownshill Dolmen
Ducketts Grove
Borris House and Gardens
Borris House and Gardens