Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service have delivered their first pilot Transition Year Course Programme at the Hacketstown Training & Development Centre from March 31st to April 4th, 2025.  The 5 day course gave Transition Year students an opportunity to experience the training and role of a firefighter, in addition to a certified Manual Handling Course and an Irish Heart Foundation CPR Course. 

Carlow County Council is pleased to announce the opening of applications for Pride of Place 2025.

The Pan Celtic International Festival is set to return to Carlow from April 22nd to April 26th, 2025, bringing together the six Celtic nations – Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man – for a spectacular celebration of music, language, dance, and cultural heritage. With a dynamic programme of events, performances, and competitions, this year’s festival promises to be a highlight of the cultural calendar with the Highlights programme launched today 25th March 2025.

Carlow has become the first county in Ireland to implement a new technology to protect motorists during emergency incidents.The county’s Fire and Rescue Service is paving the way for road safety by installing digital alerting in eight of its emergency service vehicles.

In an effort to support and promote local businesses, Carlow County Council , Carlow Chamber, Carlow Tourism, and Network Ireland have launched the ShopLocalShopCarlow Digital Campaign. This initiative aims to enhance the online presence of retailers, hospitality businesses, and service providers across Carlow at no cost, offering them an unparalleled opportunity to reach new customers and strengthen their digital marketing strategies.

Carlow Community Enterprise Centres, in collaboration with South East Technological University (SETU), Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office, and Wicklow County Council – Local Enterprise Office, is delighted to announce the launch of two transformative business support programmes—Hub Start – Rural Enterprise Start-Up Programme and Hub Grow – Enterprise Growth, Innovation & Leadership Programme. Both initiatives are designed to empower rural entrepreneurs and business owners with the knowledge, skills, and networks to succeed in today’s competitive market. Taking place at Station House, Hacketstown, these programmes will provide structured guidance, expert mentorship, and access to key enterprise supports, strengthening Carlow’s rural business ecosystem.

Communities around the county now have an opportunity borrow a free clothes swap kit from Carlow County Council thanks to an initiative from Dee Sewell, Environmental Awareness Officer.

The highly anticipated relaunch of Powerhouse proved to be an overwhelming success today, with over 120 businesswomen from across the Southeast gathered at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel to celebrate, network, and gain valuable insights into leadership, resilience, and innovation. The event, coinciding with International Women’s Day, brought together entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals eager to connect and elevate their careers. 
With an atmosphere of empowerment and inspiration, attendees were captivated by the keynote address from Marie Gleeson, a former Irish Navy Captain, who shared her powerful journey of leadership in high-pressure environments. Her compelling insights into resilience, strategic decision-making, and overcoming challenges resonated deeply with the audience. 

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, visited County Carlow today to officially launch the newly developed Station House – Connected Hub, followed by a series of engagements highlighting innovation, rural development, and enterprise excellence across the county.

VisionGreen Consultancy, a local business developing sustainability solutions for businesses of all sizes has been selected to represent Carlow at the National Enterprise Awards 2025.