Carlow: a town at the crossroads
An aerial view of Carlow town centre Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
LOCAL enterprises – ranging from legacy shops like Bramley’s Jewellers to modern cafés like Moka Coffee – are redefining what it means to shop, dine and do business in Carlow.
Footfall patterns have shifted over recent years with the development of major shopping centres at the edges of town and the ongoing transformation of Tullow Street. Meanwhile, Carlow County Council’s ‘Project Carlow 2040’, underpinned by €20.8 million from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) allocation, is promising to breathe fresh life into the town centre.
“It is very much about getting people through the door. We have a lot of great retailers and hospitality providers in Carlow,” said Kieran Comerford, head of economic development and enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
Mr Comerford’s perspective captures the hopefulness that many share about Carlow’s future: that the council’s plans for better street layouts, communal meeting areas and modern amenities will help local businesses adapt to an evolving retail landscape.
Carlow’s heritage as a busy market town runs deep. Bramley’s Jewellers, established in 1946, once anchored the bottom of Tullow Street. But owner Pat Bramley says that times have changed.
“It certainly has changed dramatically, I’m afraid. That’s why we had to move,” notes Pat, alluding to Bramley’s 2020 relocation to the corner of Tullow Street and Potato Market. After 75 years in the same spot, the jewellers found it necessary to adapt in order to keep reaching customers.
“We call it the phoenix shop. It rose from the ashes,” Pat adds with a hint of pride, demonstrating that even time-tested institutions must innovate.
In many ways, Bramley’s story epitomises the tension between tradition and progress. Town-centre businesses once thrived on walk-in trade; now, shoppers often head for free parking at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre or opt to browse online. Meanwhile, the council’s regeneration scheme aims to entice visitors back into the heart of Carlow – reminding them that there’s more to the town than big retail parks on its outskirts.
Against that backdrop, smaller independent enterprises are making waves. From Waterlilies Café on Tullow Street and Moka Coffee in Haymarket to Sweet Baking Mama on Castle Street and Neighbourhood on Barrack Street, these places exemplify the rise of Carlow’s café culture. These spots don’t just serve food and drink; they create gathering places that encourage residents to linger.
“People are always looking for something a bit different,” says Richard Morrell, owner of Moka Coffee.
Richard points to the sense of community as Carlow’s biggest asset: “Carlovians are very loyal to their independent businesses. Even if I close for a day, I’m thinking about the regulars who come in at ten o’clock. I have to let them know I won’t be open.”
He hopes that the creation of new public spaces – part of the URDF plan – will foster cultural exchanges, small-scale events and overall vibrancy. Moka Coffee regularly hosts card players on Tuesday mornings and crochet enthusiasts on Wednesday evenings, illustrating how Carlow’s cafés can evolve into social hubs beyond mere commerce.
Waterlilies had a taste of this last year, when Tullow Street was temporarily pedestrianised. There was more room for people to sit out, sip on their lattes and watch as street performers went by.
This transformation, though, is not without challenges. Some traders express concerns about vacant prime retail spots on Tullow Street, the complexities of pedestrianisation and the limited availability of convenient parking. Yet there’s a clear feeling that Carlow’s best days could lie ahead, thanks to the synergy between the council’s ambitious vision and the entrepreneurial spirit of its local community.
Next, we’ll dive more deeply into the positive developments driving the town forward – what’s already working, how the €20.8 million in regeneration funds might elevate local business and which success stories are setting the tone. Then next week we’ll explore the other side of the coin: the critiques, pain points, and the lingering questions that remain to be addressed.
