St. Patrick's Trail - Driving Route

St. Patrick's Trail in the northern part of county Carlow covers a distance of 77km (48 miles).

St. Patrick’s Trail takes in the county’s two largest urban settlements of Carlow and Tullow and is named after St. Patrick, who is reputed to have baptised the King of Leinster in north Carlow.

The trail starts in Carlow Town with all sites within easy walking distance of the town centre. It is advisable to park your car in a central location and enjoy wandering through the winding streets and lanes at your ease. Carlow has an exceptionally rich ecclesiastical heritage spanning at least fifteen centuries. Carlow was Christianised in the late fifth century and in the ensuing decades followers of St. Patrick set up monasteries across the area.

The beautifully carved doorway at Killeshin and the crosses and holy well in the peaceful village of Clonmore are excellent examples of the county’s early Christian and medieval heritage, while a stopover at the O’Meara tomb in Bennekerry churchyard will introduce the visitor to a famous Carlow artist.

The Driving Route Map and numbers: 1.Carlow Cathedral | 2.Carlow College | 3-10 Carlow Churches and convents (Carlow Town) | 11 -12.Killeshin Romanesque Doorway and Killeshin Catholic Church | 13 St. Fintan's Church, Ballinabranagh | 14. St Josehp's Catholic Church, Tinryland | 15. Kellstown | 16 - 21 Tullow | 22. Clonmore | 23. Bennekerry.