Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland
Activities and Places of Historic Interest locally:
Golfing
Grove Cottage is a haven for golfers with a selection of Golf Courses nearby.
Championship Golf Course-Mount Wolseley 2.8 km ,
Carlow Golf Club .7 km , Coollattin Golf Club 19.4 km, Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club 22km, Rathsallagh Golf Club 29 km , Jack Nicklaus' only signature golf course in Ireland, Mount Juliet Estate & Golf Club 57.7 km .
Fishing:
The River Slaney in Tullow offers Salmon and Trout fishing. Permits are necessary and are available on site. Richard Burgess, husband of the host Ann-Marie is a keen angler, was former secretary and is currently treasurer of Slaney Fishing Club. Richard is more than willing to share his extensive knowledge regarding fishing locally.
Hiking and Walking:
There are plenty of interesting walks including close access to the Wicklow Way Trail. The certificate for completing the Wicklow Way Walk is presented in Clonegal Village (16 km). Clonegal also known as "Little Switzerland" is a picturesque village and which has been placed very highly for many years in the "Tidy Towns Competitions and also recieved an award in "Entente Florale", A European Tidy Towns Competition in 2013. Clonegal offers a unique experience both during the day and in the evening. Huntington Castle is located in Clonegal and dates back to 1565 and offers daily tours of the castle and runs family events throughout the year. 15 km.
Sha Roe Bisto Restuarant "Bib Gourmand" Michelin guide 2008-2017 and "Best New Comer of the year 2007" Georgina Campbell's Guide with a variety of other awards, is quite simply a treasure of gastronomy, nestled in Clonegal. The restaurant is set in an 18th century house and is owned and run by award winning chef Henry Stone and his Swiss wife Stephanie. Osbournes Pub, where Certificates for completion of The Wicklow Way walk are presented. This 132km walk from Marley Park in Dublin terminates in Clonegal. Osbournes pub offers a lovely pint on the coffin counter top and wonder how the flowing shelves are still doing their job. This pub is winner of the Carlow Chambers of Commerce Licensed Premises and Best Shop Front of the year 2015/2016. A tour of Huntington Castle, a pint in Osbornes and finishing off with the gastronomic delights of Sha Roe Bistro is a must for all and all located just a 15 minute drive from Grove Cottage @ The Lodge.
Gardens:
Visitors come from miles around to visit Altamont House and Gardens, which is widely respected as the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown is located just outside Tullow, on 96 acres. The house dates back to 1720 and architectural historians believe some of the features of the house may date back to the 1500's. The gardens have been described as being of "national Heritage significance" have a diverse range of landscape features and include both native and exotic plant collections. People come from miles around to view these splendid gardens.
Delta Sensory Garden are located on the edge of Carlow town, km and are described as "an Oasis of Peace and tranquility" and voted the number one thing to do in Carlow, by Tripadvisor. Set on 2.5 acres with 16 interconnecting gardens they offer have a wide variety of displays including interesting water features and have been designed by some of Ireland's top landscapers/ garden designers.
Brownshill Dolmen is reputed to be the heaviest in Europe and was built between 4000-3000BC, located 12.6 km from Tullow in Carlow.
Rathgall Hillfort or locally known as "The Ring of the Rath" dates from the Bronze age and is located 5km from Tullow.
Duckets Grove, a ruined nineteenth century great house was built in the 1830's and well worth a visit is located only 10 km from Tullow.
