News

Do you consider yourself funny? Or do you know someone who always has friends and family in stitches and has been told they should be on stage? Now is their chance to prove it.

As part of the Carlow Comedy Festival 2026, organisers are seeking aspiring comedians to take part in a special "One Night Stand-Up" Showcase Event on 3 December 2026, which will officially kick off this year's festival while also raising funds for a local charity.

Carlow County Council's Local Enterprise Office and Library Service are delighted to announce the launch of the Right to Read Programme, an exciting initiative designed to promote literacy, creativity, and lifelong learning throughout County Carlow.

Business owners, entrepreneurs and SME leaders from across Carlow and the South East are being encouraged to book their place at the Resilient Business Breakfast with Susan Hayes Culleton: Strategy, Solutions, and Support, taking place on Wednesday, 23rd September 2026 at the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow.

Carlow County Council Local Enterprise Office, in partnership with Carlow Library Service, is inviting creative practitioners, artists, makers and craftspeople to participate in a unique two-day workshop, "Storytelling for Creative Businesses", led by bestselling author and Carlow County Council Writer in Residence, Caroline Busher.

A brand-new festival experience is coming to County Carlow this Halloween weekend as The Big Barn Bash - Carlow's Family Food Festival makes its debut at Coppenagh House Farm on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026.

€100,000 LEADER Investment to Support New Enterprise, Community and Chamber Facilities on O’Brien Road

Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG has announced the development of The Hive @ Enterprise House, a new enterprise and community hub on O’Brien Road, Carlow, following the approval of €100,000 in LEADER funding. The project represents a significant investment in rural enterprise development and community infrastructure, creating a modern, multi-functional space that will support business growth, collaboration and local service delivery.

As autumn deepens and the nights draw in, Carlow is preparing to embrace the magic, mystery and excitement of Samhain Festival 26, a countywide celebration inspired by the ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Taking place from 22 October to 1 November, the festival will transform venues across the county with an immersive programme of folklore, music, performance, storytelling, visual arts, family entertainment and Halloween-inspired experiences.

Carlow County Council is preparing to welcome delegates and representatives from across Europe as host of Entente Florale Europe 2026, taking place on 18 and 19 September 2026.
Carlow's selection as host follows its remarkable success in the prestigious European competition, where Carlow Town was awarded a Gold Medal in 2024, along with the President's Prize in recognition of its innovative Rain Gardens project. These achievements earned international recognition for Carlow's commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, environmental stewardship and community-led development.

Carlow residents discovered practical ways to reduce food waste and make household food budgets go further this week at an engaging Food Waste Talk and Cookery Demonstration hosted by Carlow County Council in partnership with An Gairdín Beo Community Garden and local chef Derek Oman from the Food Change Collective.

Culture Night 2026 will return on Friday, 18 September, inviting people across Carlow to come together for a night of free cultural discovery, creativity and connection in towns, cities, villages and rural communities nationwide.