Leave the car – bus, cycle or walk to the county’s attractions

SUMMER’S here and many of us have a desire to get out and about, whether it’s to walk, visit new places or have fun experiences with the kids.

Getting there is the only problem. Driving to places is becoming more expensive, considering the high cost of fuel and parking costs. In contrast, using public transport, cycling or walking is often cheaper, but it takes more time.

To make using public transport a little bit easier, The Nationalist has compiled a list of ways to enjoy Carlow this summer without needing a car.

THE TOWN BUS ROUTES

The CW2 bus between Tullow Road and Barrow Valley Retail area will take you through the town centre and on to Carlow town park. The park looks eastwards at the River Barrow and catches the midday sun with plenty of shade from trees, perfect for sunbathing and picnicking on a warm day. The playground is sure to keep all young children entertained.

Visual, the County Museum, Military Museum, Delta Sensory Gardens and An Gairdín Beo are family-oriented locations in Carlow town accessible by bus and on foot.

The CW2 also takes you to the Dome entertainment centre, which is a perfect rainy-day activity for young children.

The CW1 in the direction of MSD takes you out to the Big Blue Barn, another indoor playground.

An adult playground, Carlow Golf Club, is a 12-minute walk from the MSD stop on the CW1 route.

Adult bus tickets cost €1.50 using a Leap card (order online at leapcard.ie) or €2 cash. Young adults go half-price and children under the age of eight travel for free.

TAKING THE TRAIN

The Barrow Way is a beautiful walk along the river that is also conveniently accessible by train. You can walk the 19km route from Carlow to Athy or vice-versa and take the train back to your original destination. Alternatively, you can walk the 16km from Carlow to Bagenalstown, through the idyllic Milford area where the coffee cart Barrow Brew and Valhalla Sauna is located.

Twenty minutes by foot from Bagenalstown Train Station is the outdoor heated swimming pool. One-time entry is €7. Right beside the outdoor pool, there are steps leading to the river, which is free to enter, but colder!

BEAM gardens are also open to the public from Monday to Friday. And for food and coffee, check out the Old Post Office or the Parlour.

You can also take a day trip by train to Kilkenny to walk around Castle Park and shop in the many cute boutiques in the town centre. Tickets are available online at irishrail.ie and cost between €7-€10 for an adult return.

If you’re living within Carlow town, consider using Bolt bikes (download the app beforehand) or the town bus to get to the train station to avoid parking and fuel costs. You can also park at the train and bus stations and carry on by public transport or carpool with friends and family.

LOCAL LINK

The 857 Local Link, leaving Carlow town at 9am (8am on Sundays), will take you to Leighlinbridge and Borris. In Leighlinbridge, you can take a stroll around the gardens, and in Borris you can visit the viaduct. For a meal in Borris, you can go to the Step House Hotel, O’Shea’s or Joyce’s pub and grocer, which is open for coffee on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

You can walk part of the Barrow Way here or carry on the bus route to St Mullins. In this gorgeous, ecclesiastical riverside town, there is also a 4.5km loop walk to explore through Bahana Forest. Bicycles can be hired in St Mullin’s Bike Hire.

When in St Mullins, be sure to visit the Mullicháin Cafe. The return bus to Carlow town leaves at 4.20pm (12.55pm or 5.25pm on Sundays).

The 800 Local Link between Carlow and Arklow passes Tullow and Rathwood between Monday and Saturday. Take the 9am bus and enjoy The Chocolate Garden, Rathwood Home and Garden Centre, the looped forest walk and be home in time for dinner by taking the 1.10pm or 5.25pm bus.

The 10am Wexford bus takes you to Bunclody or Enniscorthy, where you can spend the day exploring. The bus returns to Carlow at 3pm.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

You can rent a Bolt e-bike from within Carlow town for two hours at a cost of €13 and ride out to Duckett’s Grove without breaking much of a sweat. On the way back, you could walk up to Browneshill Dolmen. With a non-electric bike, it will take around 45 minutes to cycle one-way. Alternatively, head out to Oak Park Forest Park, 5km from Carlow town centre, where there is a playground, coffee cart and lovely walk through the woods. The Delta Centre is another place that is not serviced by buses, but readily accessible by bike.

Parts of these routes have cycle lanes, but much involves cycling on the road or on the verge. Wearing safety gear such as a high-vis jacket and helmet is advisable.