Discover Tullow and find hotels

Explore Tullow through its churches, historic buildings, museums and memorials. These varied themes offer practical starting points for planning your trip, ranging from Gothic Revival architecture and the town’s history to leisure activities in the park.

Churches and memorials

The present-day St. Columba’s Church is the third church on this site and was built in 1830–1831. The four-bay building is Gothic Revival in style and was designed by Thomas Cobden, who also designed Carlow Cathedral. The church appears to stand on the site of the original Anglo-Norman parish church, which formed part of a complex with Tullow Castle. Inside the church, monuments commemorate the Wolseley family of Mount Wolseley and members of the Doyne family of Tullow.

The Church of the Most Holy Rosary in Tullow was built by Bishop Daniel Delany and opened and blessed in 1805. His remains are buried in the church. The Abbey graveyard also reflects the town’s religious history: the cemetery is on the site of an Augustinian monastery founded in 1314 by Hugh Talun and Simon Lumbard and dissolved in 1541 during the suppression of the monasteries under Henry VIII. A monument in Market Square commemorates the execution of Fr. John Murphy there on 2 July 1798.

Architecture and townscape

Tullow Courthouse is a late Georgian building constructed around 1825. Its features include a double-height courtroom with a large, segmental-headed basket-arch window made up of multiple panes. There is a gallery on the upper floor on one side.

Tullow Bridge is one of two bridges of this type on the River Slaney. It has flattened arches and is faced entirely with dressed granite. Its simple yet effective piers and pointed cutwaters add to its architectural impact. Together with the courthouse and churches, the bridge offers another architectural perspective on Tullow.

Parks and leisure

Tullow Town Park has a children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment and a modern skatepark. These facilities cater to different interests, from play and outdoor exercise to skating. The view from Tullow Park is a separate feature: from there, you can enjoy a lovely view of the river.

Museums and local history

Tullow Museum is housed in a restored former Methodist church, built of stone, beside River Slaney Bridge. Its varied collection includes artefacts relating to local history. These include items connected with Fr. John Murphy’s links to the town, including items believed to be his last vestments. Admission to Tullow Museum is free; voluntary contributions are welcome. Opening hours may vary, so check them before your visit.

The Bishop Daniel Delany Museum focuses on artefacts relating to Bishop Daniel Delany and the work of the Brigidine Sisters and the Patrician Brothers. This means Tullow offers different perspectives on local history side by side: personal memories, religious heritage, architectural history and objects from the local past.

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

For the broader travel overview: County Carlow.