Carlow

More than 2,000 parcels touch this townland. The map cannot draw that many.

• R2Existing / Infill Residential (Existing residential)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• G1Open Space and Amenity (Open space, park)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• S5Community / Education (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• M2Town Centre (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• M4Commercial / Residential (Built up area)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• C3Business and Innovation (Office, business/technology park and related)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• C2.1Enterprise and Employment (Industrial, enterprise, employment)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• N6Transport and Utilities (Other networks and basic infrastructure/utilities uses)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• C1.2Retail Warehousing (Retail warehouse)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• M3Neighbourhood Facilities / Centre (District, neighbourhood centre)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan
• R1New Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Carlow_County_Development_Plan_2022_2028_Variation_Number_4_Carlow_Town_and_Environs, Carlow The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 21 Sept 2026N/a

  the construction of single storey building to be used for storage and meeting room, permission for new fencing to part of Northern and Western boundaries, new car parking spaces, connection to services and all associated site works

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660291

• 13 Aug 2026N/a

  demolish an existing two storey derelict dwelling and construct 2 no. two storey detached dwellings, 2 no. single storey detached dwellings, connection to existing services, new site entrance, boundary treatments and green area, street lighting and general landscaping with all associated site works and drainage

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660254

• 11 Aug 2026N/a

  demolish an existing two storey derelict dwelling and construct 2 no. two storey detached dwellings, 2 no. single storey detached dwellings, connection to existing services, new site entrance, boundary treatments and green area, street lighting and general landscaping with all associated site works and drainage

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660252

• 27 Jul 2026Conditional

  the construction of a first-floor extension to the West elevation of existing dwelling all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660234

• 22 Jul 2026N/a

  the construction of 4 no. 3 bedroom semi detached dwellings and all ancillary site works

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660230

• 20 Jul 2026Conditional

  the construction of a single storey domestic extension to side elevation of my existing dwelling and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660226

• 15 Jul 2026Conditional

  change of use from an existing retail unit to retail with ancillary off license sales (circa 43.7 sqm), and associated signage for the retail unit and all associated site works

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660217

• 15 Jul 2026N/a

  construction of 4 no. 3 bed semi detached dwellings and all ancillary site works

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660218

• 3 Jul 2026N/a

  1) alterations to front elevation to include relocated main entrance, 2) proposed new shop front to rear alleyway 3) signage to front and rear elevations and all associated site development works

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660204

• 18 Jun 2026N/a

  conversion of an existing vacant coach house to a two bedroom town house, plus all associated site works including all over ground / underground services to facilitate the development with access via an existing laneway. The Coach House forms part of a protected structure at THE OLD MANSE, PEMBROKE - CT12 / NIAH REFERENCE 10000245

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660186

• 16 Jun 2026N/a

  change of use of the existing Retail Unit to use as Snap Fitness 24/7 gym including internal layout alterations, new internal staircase, lift, studio rooms, changing rooms, staff areas, new sign to replace existing sign and all associated site and ancillary works in accordance with the lodged plans and documents

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660185

• 11 Jun 2026Conditional

  the installation of 3no. digital screens at ground floor level along the east elevation. All screens will be located internally within the existing window display.

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660180

• 9 Jun 2026Conditional

  single storey extension as constructed to the rear of existing two-storey dwelling house including alterations to accommodate same and full planning permission is sought for the completion of same, Retention planning permission is sought to retain alterations to side elevation of the original dwelling as constructed, Retention Planning Permission is sought to retain alterations to side boundary wall as constructed and full planning permission is sought for the completion of same, all ancillary site works and services

  Retention, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660178

• 4 Jun 2026N/a

  conversion of an existing vacant coach house to a two bedroom town house, plus all associated site works including all over ground / underground services to facilitate the development with access via an existing laneway at COACH HOUSE, THE OLD MANSE, PEMBROKE, CARLOW. R93 YY2H. The Coach House forms part of a protected structure at THE OLD MANSE, PEMBROKE - CT12 / NIAH REFERENCE 10000245.

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660175

• 1 Jun 2026N/a

  the conversion of existing two storey house to 1no. 1 bedroom apartment, proposed two storey extension to rear of same comprising 2no. studio apartments to ground floor/ 1no. two bedroom apartment to first floor, removal of rising walls, floors and blockwork of partially constructed previously granted apartments/townhouses to rear of same and all associated works at

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660169

• 19 May 2026Conditional

  the as-built lean-to roof to the side of the dwelling

  Retention, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660156

• 15 May 2026Conditional

  the construction of a single storey dwelling, domestic garage, use of existing domestic entrance, associated boundary treatments, connection to services and all associated site works

  Permission, 2 homes · Carlow County Council, 2660146

• 12 May 2026Conditional

  the construction of a 3-storey commercial / office building (Overall Gross Floor Area 2,737sq.m.) comprising 2 No. retail or café / restaurant units (Gross Floor Area 341sq.m.) at ground floor fronting Green Lane / R448 and office and ancillary accommodation over three levels (Gross Floor Area 2,396sq.m.) on the site of the existing car park. The development is accessed from existing vehicular access to Shamrock Plaza and includes 12 No. car parking spaces and 60 No. covered bicycle parking spaces, bin storage / services compound, signage, roof plant / rooftop plant enclosure, solar panels and all associated site and development works, ancillary site activities and ancillary accommodation

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660142

• 7 May 2026Conditional

  the change of use of existing treble garage for use as a single dwelling house, to renovate same, to construct a single storey extension to the rear of same, to block up existing door and relocate same on the Kilkenny Road elevation, to connect to public services, all ancillary site works and services

  Permission, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660130

• 7 May 2026N/a

  the construction of a single storey dwelling, domestic garage, use of existing domestic entrance, associated boundary treatments, connection to services and all associated site works

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660132

• 28 Apr 2026Conditional

  a detached single storey structure including a home office, gym and storage to the rear of existing two storey dwelling and all ancillary site works

  Retention, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660120

• 24 Apr 2026Conditional

  the change of use of attic space to a habitable part of my dwelling, 3 No. velux roof windows to the rear and all associated site works

  Retention, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660116

• 30 Mar 2026Conditional

  the construction of a domestic garage all associated site works (in the curtilage of a protected structure CT69)

  Permission, 1 home · Carlow County Council, 2660088

• 27 Mar 2026N/a

  the completion of the unfinished estate of Blackbog Grove as permitted under planning reference P21/98. Development proposals to include amendment to the previously granted site layout to provide for a reduction in dwelling numbers from seven as previously granted, to six dwellings as currently proposed. (Proposed dwellings are: 1 No. Dwelling type A – a three bedroom two storey dwelling, plus 5 No. Dwelling type B/B1 – four bedroom two storey dwellings, Alteration is floor levels to accommodate gravity sewers, plus all associated site works including all over ground / underground services to facilitate the development

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660084

• 23 Feb 2026N/a

  a single storey Holy Angels Day Care Centre and Hydrotherapy Pool, including rooftop plant equipment. The development will include four activity rooms, therapy and multidisciplinary rooms, a staff canteen, toilets and changing rooms, hydrotherapy pool with changing facilities, and other ancillary accommodation. Associated site works will include road and pedestrian access, car parking, a children’s outdoor play area, landscaping, substation and a bin store. The protected structure, Kelvin Grove house (RPS number CT24), is listed as a protected structure, and the proposed development is therefore in the curtilage of a protected structure. Kelvin Grove house will be retained however single-storey extensions to the rear are to be demolished.

  Permission · Carlow County Council, 2660053

The 25 most recent of over 100 applications.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: River Barrow and River Nore SAC 002162

Recorded monuments

• CW007-001 Burial ground
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Enclosed strip of land along E side of River Barrow with no visible evidence of structure. Large number of headstones of eighteenth and later centuries. According to Burns (Carloviana 1973, 14), granted in 1607 to local Catholics for burial purposes.

• CW007-018 Historic town
  Description

  Sited at the confluence of the rivers Burren and Barrow. Earliest charter dates to c. 1223. Its main elements include the castle (CW007-018002-) founded by William Marshall and town defences (CW007-018006-), although no traces of the latter survive. (see CW007-018001- to CW007-018008-) Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 19 August 2011

• CW007-018002 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
  Description

  National Monument No. 10030. Large rectangular three-story limestone keep, of early thirteenth-century date, with circular towers at each angle. Present remains consist of W wall with circular end towers. Built on rising ground with large crennelated stone wall enclosing castle. Main entrance in W wall at first-floor level, now broken out. Similar ground plan to Ferns, Co. Wexford, and Lea, Co. Laois. (Leask 1936, 168-70; AJ 1973, 47-49; Bradley 1989, 8) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007

• CW007-018004 Bridge
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Down Survey (1655-6) map shows stone bridge over Barrow and timber bridge over Burren, both of which appear to have been built before sixteenth century. Present bridges are modern but may be located close to or on sites of original bridges. (Bradley 1989, 5)

• CW007-018005 Mill - unclassified
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 05 May 2011 Marked 'Corn Mill' on the 1840 OS 6-inch map. Four mills identified on Colombine's 1735 map (Bradley 1989, 7) (see also CW007-018011-, CW007-018012- and CW007-018013-). Possibly one of the three mills referred to in the 1307 inquisition (Mills 1914, 346). References: Bradley, J. 1989 Urban archaeological survey - Co. Carlow (limited distribution). Office of Public Works, Dublin. Mills, J. (ed.) 1914 Calendar of the Justiciary Rolls Ireland 1305-7, Dublin.

• CW007-018006 Town defences
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Documentary evidence indicates town was fortified in mid-fourteenth century (Otway-Ruthven 1968, 287). No visible trace. Precise location and extent unknown. (Bradley 1989, 8)

• CW007-018007 Church
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 16 December 2009 Revised by: J. Farrelly Parish church of St Mary, situated to NE of castle (CW007-018002-). Recorded as having two graveyards (CW007-018009-; CW007-018010-) in seventeenth century. Present church built c. 1731 (Bradley 1989, 9-10). An effigial tomb (CW007-018016-) reputedly from the church was broken up and some of the side panels where brought to Oak Park (CW002-013----) while the top with the effigial figure is now in Portarlington, Co. Laois (LA005-032----).

• CW007-018009 Graveyard
  Description

  Sub-rectangular shaped area marked 'Burial Gd. (Dis.)' on the OS 25 inch map (map. dims. c. 10m N-S; c. 15m E-W). The vestry book dating to 1675 records two graveyards attached to St. Mary's church (CW007-018007-) (Bradley and King 1990, 9-10). One may be this one and the other is probably that in which the church is situated (CW007-018010-). Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 19 August 2011

• CW007-018010 Graveyard
  Description

  Sub-rectangular shaped (map dims. c. 60m N-S; c. 57m E-W) with St. Mary's church (CW007-018007-) at E. Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 19 August 2011

• CW007-018016 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  Effigial tomb cover of Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle (CW007-018002-), originally located in the graveyard (CW007-018010-) of St. Mary's church (CW007-018007-), relocated to Oak Park House, later to the town park in Portarlington Co. Laois (LA005-032----) and recently removed from the town park and now housed in Carlow County Museum (CW007-181----). Under the 2021 Community Monument Fund, the 16th century Hartpole Effigy was moved from the park in Portarlington on the 13/10/2021 by Gebel & Helling Conservation Ltd. under the supervision of Isabella Mulhall & Karena Morton of the National Museum of Ireland and Martin Reid of the National Monuments Service. In 1895 John C. O’Neill wrote the following account about the discovery of the Hartpole tomb in a letter to the editor of the Carlow Vindicator; ‘Having read in your issue of the 26th Jan., a very interesting letter from the pen of " C. J. H.," relative to the whereabouts of the effigy of Robert Harpol (nicknamed by the peasantry for his cruelties, "Robert the Terrible"), which was unearthed in the ancient burial-ground known as St. Mary's, and afterwards conveyed to Oak Park, the residence of Mr. Bruen, I thought that perhaps a few incidents relative to "Robert the Terrible," and the manner in which his effigy was discovered, might interest your readers, especially those who love to take a backward glance at the past history of their country. The old churchyard known as St. Mary's, and of which at the present day but one solitary tomb remains, was situated in Castle Hill, Carlow, and stretched right along through Coal Market to the present Protestant Cathedral. It was a tine old graveyard, perched upon a rising ground, and within a few perches of the River Barrow. The graveyard was cut away to make room for dwelling-houses, although many more convenient sites might have been easily obtained without desecrating the City of the Dead. The cutting away of this once magnificent churchyard was an act worthy of the earliest days of vandalism, and not at all creditable to the traditions of those who are credited with holding the sepulchres of the dead in extreme veneration. The discovery of Harpol's effigy dates as far back as fifty years ago, and this is the manner which it was discovered: "Some workmen were engaged cutting away a portion of the graveyard for building purposes, when they discovered a stone effigy about four feet below the surface, which they raised and placed upright against a tombstone. The effigy was in a perfect state of preservation, notwithstanding the long period it remained buried beneath the surface of the churchyard. Crowds flocked to view the effigy, which represented a knight clad in armour. Some thought it was the effigy of an ancient Celtic king, but in reality none of those who congregated to view it could unravel the mystery of whom it represented, and it lay where it was placed, shrouded in oblivion, for a couple of days, when an old friar visited the spot, and pronounced it to be the effigy of Robert Harpol, and pointed out a Latin inscription which had escaped the notice of those who had previously examined it. Some Carlow-Graigue men were amongst those who discovered it, and on hearing whom it represented, one of them, raising a pickaxe, struck off the head of the effigy, which was afterwards flung into the Barrow near Cox's-lane. The father of the present Mr. Bruen had the decapitated effigy removed to his residence at Oak Park, and offered a substantial reward for the recovery of the head, which was recovered and conveyed to Oak Park by the very persons who cast it into the Barrow’ (O’Neill 1895, 135-6). In 1909 Canon Ffrench, Rector of Clonegal, described the Hartpole Tomb (CW002-013----) the side panels of which were then located in the walled garden at Oak Park House [NIAH Reg. No. 10300206], as follows; ‘On the opposite page is shown a fragment of the sides of an altar-tomb which was bought in the first half of the last century by Colonel Bruen, M.P,, father of the Right Hon. Henry Bruen, and is said to have been found at some distance below Shrule Castle [LA032-012001-] in the River Barrow. At present it rests on a heap of debris against the garden wall at Oak Park, and this heap of stones all probably formed part of the original monument. It is like the monument itself of black marble, and contains many finely cut and moulded stones. The present gross width of the stone, from which the figure stands in relief, is 2 feet 3 inches [0.68m]. The height of the stone figure, and the height of the pillar alongside it, is 21 inches [0.53m]; the gross width of the figure is 13 inches [0.33m]. It seems to be represented as vested in a steel cuirass. Possibly it may be a long-waisted, peaked, and close-fitting doublet; but it looks more like a cuirass, and over it, around the neck, there is a collar turned down. Some light open headpiece, probably the "salade" or morion, was worn, which is now greatly defaced. The face shows a short fringe of hair across the forehead. There is no doubt that this is one of several figures, each of which occupied a niche in the sides of an altar-tomb, and represented the children of Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle [CW007-018002-], by his wife Grania O'Byrne. Their children were Sir William, George, James, Henry, Pierce, Helen, Margaret, and another daughter, who was the wife of John Hovenden, of Ballyfoyle, in the Queen's County. Robert Hartpole in his Will expressed the wish to be buried in St. Mary's Church [CW007-018007-] in Carlow; and his death took place on the 3rd October, 1594. The effigy-slab of his tomb now lies in the grounds of "Kilnacourt," Portarlington, where it was removed some years ago by the then occupant, a Miss Bowen, who claimed descent from Robert Hartpole’ (Ffrench 1909, 521-2) Effigial tomb described by Bradley (1990, 45-6) as an; ‘Armoured Knight resting on a rectangular slab of Iimestone. In two pieces. The legs and hands are badly damaged, and the head is missing. The figure is wearing plate armour, pointed over the chest. The sword is suspended from a belt around the waist. The hands were originally joined in prayer on his chest. The feet rest on a dog which lacks its head. Incised inscription on the dexter side in a mixture of Roman and Gothic lettering: ‘hic jacet roBARTUS HARTPOOLE ConEStabularius de catHERLAGH SEPTUAGENARIO MAIOR interiit III DIE OCTOBRiS 1594 Translation: Here Iies Robert Hartpole, constable of Carlow more than a septuagenarian, he died on the 3rd day of October 1594, The missing letters are supplied from FitzGeraId (1903-5, 223-6). Dims: L. 220 W. 75 H. above ground 52 H. Of effigy 39cm’ See attached 19th century drawing of Hartpole effigial tomb taken from ‘Memoirs of the Family of Grace’ (Grace 1823). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 2 November 2021

• CW007-018017 Battlefield
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• CW007-019 Enclosure
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Shown on 1839 'OS 6-inch' map as circular enclosure of ringfort size. No visible surface traces. Site is associated with what appears to be a larger circular enclosure (diam. 150m) defined by field boundaries and road. Enclosed area includes some fairly undulating ground (max. diam. c. 40m).

• CW007-022 Enclosure
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Aerial photographs (CUCAP BOC 89-90; ASIAP (13) 3-5) show circular area enclosed by cropmark of fosse (est max. diam. c. 70m). Possibly a ringfort. Second small enclosure to NE (est max. diam. c. 20m). Aerial photograph (GB89.R.27) shows cropmark of a circular enclosure defined by a fosse (Barrett 1989)

• CW007-023 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Monument No. HM00325, this monument was entered in the Register of Historic Monuments on the 22 December 1980. Circular area (diam. c. 23m) enclosed by bank with external fosse (Wth c. 2m). The bank (ext. H at E c. 1.3m; ext. H at W c. 1.5m; int. H c. 0.5m) and fosse survive on the E and W sides. Break in bank (Wth 1.9m) at W. Sited immediately N of the Burren River. Clearance work carried out by the Carlow County Council in February - March 2013. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.] Revised by: Claire Breen Date of revision: 06 March 2013

• CW007-159 Linear earthwork
  Description

  Aerial photograph (GB95.FV.05) shows cropmark of two curving, closely spaced parallel fosses. Compiled by: Dr Gillian Barrett for the Archaeological Survey of Ireland. Date of upload: 15 April 2011

• CW007-167 Stone head (present location)
  Description

  This granite stone head (overall dims. L 044m x Wth 0.32m; D 0.24m), currently located in Carlow County Museum, was discovered lying in Ballinacarrig graveyard (CW007-025002-) which is c. 3km SW of Carlow town. The outline of the ruined medieval church (CW007-025----) is visible within the graveyard. The head, carved in high relief, narrows towards the chin (Wth 0.05m). It has round bulging eyes, a pronounced flat nose with splays towards the end and the lips are well defined. At the top of the head there is a circular bowl (diam. 0.13m; D 0.12m) with a hole at the base and a raised rim (T 0.04m). Five vertical lines within the bowl at the top of the forehead probably represent hair. It is possible that it functioned as an ornate water spout, though it is unclear how it would have been fixed to a wall unless the stone extended further back and this portion has been broken off, though there is no obvious break. The style of the carving suggests a 12th-century date. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 23 June 2015

• CW007-174 Enclosure
  Description

  In tillage. A roughly circular enclosure (dims. c. 35m) identified as a cropmark on Google Earth Pro imagery (imagery date 14 July 2018) by Jean-Charles Caillère. The cropmark indicates the fosse (Wth c. 3m) of the enclosure. See attached image: CW007-174----_01Google Earth Pro imagery Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 4 September 2019

• CW007-181 Tomb - effigial (present location)
  Description

  In 1895 John C. O’Neill wrote the following account about the discovery of the Hartpole tomb in a letter to the editor of the Carlow Vindicator; ‘Having read in your issue of the 26th Jan., a very interesting letter from the pen of " C. J. H.," relative to the whereabouts of the effigy of Robert Harpol (nicknamed by the peasantry for his cruelties, "Robert the Terrible"), which was unearthed in the ancient burial-ground known as St. Mary's, and afterwards conveyed to Oak Park, the residence of Mr. Bruen, I thought that perhaps a few incidents relative to "Robert the Terrible," and the manner in which his effigy was discovered, might interest your readers, especially those who love to take a backward glance at the past history of their country. The old churchyard known as St. Mary's, and of which at the present day but one solitary tomb remains, was situated in Castle Hill, Carlow, and stretched right along through Coal Market to the present Protestant Cathedral. It was a tine old graveyard, perched upon a rising ground, and within a few perches of the River Barrow. The graveyard was cut away to make room for dwelling-houses, although many more convenient sites might have been easily obtained without desecrating the City of the Dead. The cutting away of this once magnificent churchyard was an act worthy of the earliest days of vandalism, and not at all creditable to the traditions of those who are credited with holding the sepulchres of the dead in extreme veneration. The discovery of Harpol's effigy dates as far back as fifty years ago, and this is the manner which it was discovered: "Some workmen were engaged cutting away a portion of the graveyard for building purposes, when they discovered a stone effigy about four feet below the surface, which they raised and placed upright against a tombstone. The effigy was in a perfect state of preservation, notwithstanding the long period it remained buried beneath the surface of the churchyard. Crowds flocked to view the effigy, which represented a knight clad in armour. Some thought it was the effigy of an ancient Celtic king, but in reality none of those who congregated to view it could unravel the mystery of whom it represented, and it lay where it was placed, shrouded in oblivion, for a couple of days, when an old friar visited the spot, and pronounced it to be the effigy of Robert Harpol, and pointed out a Latin inscription which had escaped the notice of those who had previously examined it. Some Carlow-Graigue men were amongst those who discovered it, and on hearing whom it represented, one of them, raising a pickaxe, struck off the head of the effigy, which was afterwards flung into the Barrow near Cox's-lane. The father of the present Mr. Bruen had the decapitated effigy removed to his residence at Oak Park, and offered a substantial reward for the recovery of the head, which was recovered and conveyed to Oak Park by the very persons who cast it into the Barrow’ (O’Neill 1895, 135-6). In 1909 Canon Ffrench, Rector of Clonegal, described the Hartpole Tomb (CW002-013----) the side panels of which were then located in the walled garden at Oak Park House [NIAH Reg. No. 10300206], as follows; ‘On the opposite page is shown a fragment of the sides of an altar-tomb which was bought in the first half of the last century by Colonel Bruen, M.P,, father of the Right Hon. Henry Bruen, and is said to have been found at some distance below Shrule Castle [LA032-012001-] in the River Barrow. At present it rests on a heap of debris against the garden wall at Oak Park, and this heap of stones all probably formed part of the original monument. It is like the monument itself of black marble, and contains many finely cut and moulded stones. The present gross width of the stone, from which the figure stands in relief, is 2 feet 3 inches [0.68m]. The height of the stone figure, and the height of the pillar alongside it, is 21 inches [0.53m]; the gross width of the figure is 13 inches [0.33m]. It seems to be represented as vested in a steel cuirass. Possibly it may be a long-waisted, peaked, and close-fitting doublet; but it looks more like a cuirass, and over it, around the neck, there is a collar turned down. Some light open headpiece, probably the "salade" or morion, was worn, which is now greatly defaced. The face shows a short fringe of hair across the forehead. There is no doubt that this is one of several figures, each of which occupied a niche in the sides of an altar-tomb, and represented the children of Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle [CW007-018002-], by his wife Grania O'Byrne. Their children were Sir William, George, James, Henry, Pierce, Helen, Margaret, and another daughter, who was the wife of John Hovenden, of Ballyfoyle, in the Queen's County. Robert Hartpole in his Will expressed the wish to be buried in St. Mary's Church [CW007-018007-] in Carlow; and his death took place on the 3rd October, 1594. The effigy-slab of his tomb now lies in the grounds of "Kilnacourt," Portarlington, where it was removed some years ago by the then occupant, a Miss Bowen, who claimed descent from Robert Hartpole’ (Ffrench 1909, 521-2). Effigial tomb described by Bradley (1990, 45-6) as; ‘Armoured Knight resting on a rectangular slab of Iimestone. In two pieces. The legs and hands are badly damaged, and the head is missing. The figure is wearing plate armour, pointed over the chest. The sword is suspended from a belt around the waist. The hands were originally joined in prayer on his chest. The feet rest on a dog which lacks its head. Incised inscription on the dexter side in a mixture of Roman and Gothic lettering: ‘hic jacet roBARTUS HARTPOOLE ConEStabularius de catHERLAGH SEPTUAGENARIO MAIOR interiit III DIE OCTOBRiS 1594 Translation: Here Iies Robert Hartpole, constable of Carlow more than a septuagenarian, he died on the 3rd day of October 1594, Effigial tomb cover of Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle (CW007-018002-), originally located in the graveyard (CW007-018010-) of St. Mary's church (CW007-018007-), relocated to the town park in Portarlington Co. Laois (LA005-032----) and recently removed from the town park and now housed in Carlow County Museum. Under the 2021 Community Monument Fund, the 16th century Hartpole Effigy was moved from the park in Portarlington on the 13/10/2021 by Gebel & Helling Conservation Ltd. under the supervision of Isabella Mulhall & Karena Morton of the National Museum of Ireland and Martin Reid of the National Monuments Service. See attached 19th century drawing of Hartpole effigial tomb taken from ‘Memoirs of the Family of Grace’ (Grace 1823). See attached photo provided courtesy of Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator, Carlow County Museum Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Martin Reid, Archaeologist, National Monuments Service Date of upload: 28 October 2021

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Carlow.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Carlow, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are made ground and water.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_2512 (ZIP).

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Carlow with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Carlow.

Name

Carlow · Ceatharlach

Area

3,996,888 m² (399.69 ha, 987.65 acres)

Civil parish

Carlow, and its townlands

Barony

Carlow

Electoral division

Carlow Rural, the unit of the census

Census 2022

16,203 people lived in 5,763 households in the Carlow Rural electoral division. 59% of households owned their home. 37% of homes were built since 2001. 5% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballinacarrig, Chapelstown, Crossneen (Co. Laois), Graigue, Graigue (Co. Laois), Kernanstown, Moanacurragh, Mortarstown Upper, Quinagh, Rathnapish, Strawhall

Placenames

Carlow on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.