News

A Magical Month of Festive Fun from 29th November – 24th December 2025

Carlow County Council is delighted to announce the launch of Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow, Carlow’s brand-new Christmas Festival for 2025. Running from 29th November to 24th December 2025, Féile Lonrach promises a sparkling programme of family entertainment, festive markets, live performances, comedy, creative experiences, and community celebrations across the county.

Providing 24/7 emergency response coverage, Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service operates from fire stations in Carlow Town, Bagenalstown, Tullow and Hacketstown, responding to a wide range of incidents including building fires, vehicle fires, gorse and forestry fires, road traffic collisions, river rescues and Major Emergencies.

Get ready to laugh your way into Christmas as Carlow Comedy Festival 2025 takes centre stage this December as part of Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow. Running from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th December, the festival brings together some of Ireland’s top comedic talent across Carlow’s favourite venues all in support of the upcoming Pan Celtic International Festival 2026.

Important Information: Pause on Private Housing Grant Applications has been lifted as of 1st November 2025

Effective from 1st November 2025, applications will be accepted for the following grants:
Housing Adaptation Grants (HAGs) - Priority 1 and Priority 2
Mobility Aid Grants (MAGs) - Priority 1 and Priority 2
Housing for Older Persons (HOPs)

Carlow County Council, in partnership with Laois County Council and the Department of Transport (DoT), invite those who live in, work in or travel through the study area along the southern edge of Carlow Town and other interested parties to participate in the second non-statutory public consultation for the Carlow Southern Relief Road (CSRR).

Second-level students from Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach are taking a creative lead in this year’s “Shop Local | Shop Carlow” campaign  a celebration of Carlow’s vibrant retail community, the Irish language, and youth creativity.

Please note that on Thursday 6th November 2025, Carlow County Council will close its offices to the public at the earlier time of 1pm.

Digital 26, a landmark event celebrating innovation in Ireland’s craft and creative industries, will take place on Thursday, 13th November 2025, at The Foundry, Google Offices, Dublin.

Carlow County Council proudly hosted the kick-off meeting for the Hands Across Generations (HAG) Erasmus+ Project last week in County Carlow, welcoming partners from across Europe.

Details of the Pan Celtic National Song Contest 2026 have been announced and there’s a cash prize of €1,000 to be won as well the national trophy and the opportunity to sing for Ireland!  The winning song will go forward as the Irish entry in the Pan Celtic International Song Contest which will be held in Carlow in April ‘26. Composers, singers and writers are invited to create a new song ‘as Gaeilge’ to represent Ireland in the Celtic nations’ answer to the Eurovision.