Discover Borris: Viaduct, Trails and Heritage

Borris brings together a striking viaduct, historic façades and a variety of ways to experience the landscape. If you’re looking for a hotel in Borris, the village offers a starting point for a stay combining architectural history, trails and the cultural heritage of Borris lace.

Viaduct and trails around Borris

At the southern end of Borris, the 16-arch Borris Viaduct spans the valley of the Mountain River. The structure opened in 1860. The Borris Viaduct Walk is about 1.5 km long and includes a loop beneath the viaduct. The route offers views of the Blackstairs Mountains and Mount Leinster.

Access to the old Borris railway line is limited: following the recent renovation of the viaduct, part of the line has become accessible to visitors, but larger sections are not easily accessible. The route by the viaduct and the old railway line should therefore not be regarded as a continuous trail that is equally accessible throughout.

Another option is the Barrow track from Borris to Clashganny. It follows the river and can be cycled. This gives you different options for planning your outings: a loop of about 1.5 km by the viaduct, and a riverside route to Clashganny that you can cycle.

Historic architecture and lace

Old granite houses and largely intact Victorian shopfronts shape the village’s appearance. The five-bay Protestant School House at Fairgreen was built in 1835. Step House is also a hotel and an example of the Tudor Gothic style common in Borris.

Borris House is in the centre of Borris Village. Its grounds include grass meadows, the Stew Pond and a 19th-century ice house. Notable specimen trees add to the setting, including a tulip tree, cut-leaved beeches and a cedar of Lebanon planted in 1870.

Borris lace is also closely connected with the village. The Lace Garden at Borris House illustrates its history; the lace-making tradition is particularly associated with Lady Harriet Kavanagh. In Borris, buildings and garden features sit alongside a distinct cultural theme that can be explored through the village’s history.

Travel by bus

Borris is on the New Ross–Borris–Carlow bus route. Check the current timetable before travelling, as bus services and times may change.

More to explore in County Carlow

County Carlow also has its own cultural and historical attractions, distinct from the features of Borris. The granite capstone of the Brownshill Dolmen is thought to weigh more than 100 tonnes and is considered the largest of its kind in Europe. The monument is believed to be between 4,900 and 5,500 years old and is an important example of early Neolithic construction. The ecclesiastical ruins at St Mullins include five churches and the remains of a round tower.

Discover more destinations: Rathvilly, Muine Bheag, Leighlinbridge, Hacketstown, Ballon, Killerig, Bunclody, Carlow

For the main travel overview: County Carlow.