From spuds to jam-making, heritage week was a fascinating glimpse into Carlow's past
The Carlow Heritage Potato Project involved the growing of heritage spuds. Pictured are cllr Tommy Kinsella, cathaoirleach of Carlow Co Co, cllr Charlie Murphy, cathaoirleach of Tullow MD, Coilín O'Reilly, CE of Carlow Co Co, Deputy Catherine Callaghan TD and others involved in the project Photo: © Michael O'Rourke Photography 2026
THIS was the fifth year that national heritage week has come to Co Carlow and Eoin Sullivan, the driving force behind the week as Carlow Co Council’s heritage officer, believes that it was the best one yet.
“There was not an event that was not fully booked,” Eoin said, “People really engaged with it.” This year, the council organised two free coach tours, the first took in a series of historic houses in Carlow, including Sherwood Park House and Borris House while the second was to a farm in Kilcurt that hosts several archaeological monuments.
“The places were gone within about a day and a half. They were fully booked and everyone showed up which was brilliant,” Eoin said.
Another project this year was the Carlow Heritage Potato Project, which saw Carlow and Borris libraries grow various varieties of potato that have been grown in Carlow over the past 200 years, from the time of the famine to present day. The potatoes were then harvested, cooked by a local chef and served to people at the event.
“It was a really innovative project, the first one of its kind to be done by a library service,” explained Eoin.
That project was supported by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture.
Borris Lacemakers also hosted a tenth anniversary celebration on Borris village green. The event was supported by August craft month and had live music, cake and a ‘try a stitch’ stand where people could try lacemaking for themselves. People involved in the craft from around the country celebrated, as did local politicians and councillors.
Former RTÉ meteorologist Joanna Donnelly made her Carlow debut when she hosted two events, on the subject of weather and myths. The first was an interactive workshop for children and the second was a talk for adults, both in Carlow County Library.
Following the success of last year’s heritage week visit to holy wells in Carlow, there was a talk given by local historian Ben Bayley tilted . The talk was organised by Cranavane holy well committee and was held in Spellman Hall, Kildavin.
In total, there over 50 events held throughout the programme, making it the most successful heritage week yet in County Carlow.
