In and Around Ballin Temple
The cottages have a selection of cards, books, and board games for those rainy days and quiet evenings.
On the estate we offer fishing for salmon and trout on the River Slaney. Rods for Ballin Temple's picturesque fishing beats are available by reservation. Lessons can be ararnged with local ghillies.
Private yoga lessons may be reserved for beginner to intermediate practitioner.
The woods, fields and riverbank offer beautiful trails for walking, running or mountain biking and Ballin Temple is close to the Leinster Way stretching through Carlow, Wicklow and Kilkenny..
An international standard 18 hole golf course is available at Mount Wolsley, 10 minutes away (E:
Ballin Temple offers historical remains and close access to Tullow museum, Carlow's megalithic trail and Kilkenny city, with its famous Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral.
An introduction to organic and sustainable living (LOHAS) may be arranged on our organic farm.
You may play squash and badminton in Rathoe, 10 minutes away. Keys for the squash courts are available at the convenience store/post office in Rathoe, next to the courts.
Horse riding may be arranged for beginners to advanced equestrians nearby. Keen riders may bring their own horses by arrangement and grazing can be made available.
Shooting game or skeet (clay pigeon) may be arranged; please contact us.
Further Afield
SHOPPING: Local, Carlow, Kilkenny, Dublin ... Farms, Arts & Crafts, Groceries, General.
EATING OUT: Snacks, Pubs and more ...
GOLF: Golf courses include Carlow Golf Club, Killerig Castle Golf Club, and Mount Wolesely and Carrigleade Golf Course T: 059 9124370, Clonmore Golf Course T: 059 9171244, Par 3 Golf Club T: 059 9142088.
GARDENS: There are many great gardens close by including Corona North's Altamont, famous as "Ireland's most romantic garden".
HORSE RIDING: Horse riding stables include: Carrigbeg Stables near Bagnalstown T: 059 9121962 or Coole Stables near Rathvilly T; 059 9161020.
TOURING - WALK, CYCLE, CAR: Great walking routes may be taken as the South Leinster Way and Wicklow Way both wind close-by. The Blackstairs Mountains with the peak of Mount Leinster is half an hour away. One can cycle along or close to these trails. Car routes covering greater distances are also suggested.
QUAD BIKING: A fun introduction to quad biking may be arranged at Country Quads, near Borris, Co.Carlow Tel:059 9124624 www.countryquads.com "All weather-all year round" Experience the thrill and challenge of ridinq an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV or quadcycle) round a special track through woodland, river and hills. Country Quads can cater tor all members of the family, from the child to adult. The course is specially suited for different age groups and while the adults enjoy tackling the tougher, rough parts of the track the children can enjoy their own special areas. Plenty of features to negotiate from hills to wooded paths. No experience necessary. Suitable from eight years upwards.
SWIMMING: Graigueculien Swimming Pool, Graiguecullen, Carlow, Tel: 059 9140330.
Fully heat ed, 25m public facility, where visitors are most welcome. Sports therapist and leisure centre on site. Open; Monday-Friday 7.00 a.m. -11.00 p.m Saturday & Sunday 09.00 a.m.- 08.00 p.m.
BEACHES: There are pleasant beaches all around the southeasterly coast. The closest is Courtown just the other side of Gorey 30 km away.. From there one can head north for an hour or so before Dublin, or south. Arklow also has a long sandy beach where occassional coarse angling competitions may be launched.
BOWLING at Carlow SuperBowl in Barrack Street Carlow T 059 9141555. Carlow Superbowl is a 10-pin bowling centre with an up to date computerised scoring system . Children's bumper system and Glow in the Dark bowling. Birthday parties are catered.
CANOEING; Go With The Flow River Adventures invites you to experience the River Barrow from a different perspective. Navigate your Canadian canoe through the playful rapids of the River Barrow on an unforgettable river safari. Qualified river guides will supervise the inexperienced through the natural beauty of the Barrow. Charlie will also take groups on the River Slaney if you want to stay closer to us. Tel:+353 0505 23716 Mobile: 087 2529700
HANG-GLIDING Mount Leinster is a internationally renowned location for hanc gliding and is a multi-directional site. Contact Eamon Thompson 01 4556437
SNOOKER: Available at many pubs. Also The Ivy Rooms, Hanover, Carlow, Tel:+353 059 9132387 has 16 full size snooker tables and an extensive cafe serving hot and cold meals all day
Getting Around - Travel Information
Taxis
Tullow Cabs 059 9152299
Carlow Cabs 059 9133339
Airlines/airports
Reservations Flight enquiries
Aer Lingus, Dublin 01-8444777 01-7056705
Ryanair, Dublin 01-6097800
Rail
Services operate on the DublinWaterford route stopping in Bagnelstown (Muine Bheag) and Carlow.
Railway stations: Carlow 059 913 2133, Kilkenny 056 7787721.
Bus
Rapid Express have ten services a day from Carlow to Dublin, of which 8 go onto the airport. The assembly point is the coach park in Barrack Street, Carlow. For current information phone 059 9143081.
Bus Eireann have nine services from Waterford to Dublin through Carlow. For details please phone 051 - 879 000.
Bus stations: Carlow 059 913 7885, Kilkenny 056 7778452
Ferry
Irish Ferries from Rosslare and Dublin 1890 31 31 31 www.irishferries.com.
Stena P&O from Rosslare and Dublin 053 9133115
Events
Eigse - The Arts Festival held during a week in June. Great fun for all ages. Souvenirs, music, shows, streetlife. The website seems to change fronm year to year so please do a general search for eigse on the web.
Gowran Park Horse Racing. For special events phone 056 7726225.
Wexford Opera Festival in late summer. Please check Tourist Office for info.
Other Info
Newspapers, Media: The Nationalist, Carlow People, Carlow Times, Local Trader.
Church Services: Scheduled around 9am and 11am on Sunday, but they change, so please telephone to check. Catholic: Ardattin , Tullow . Church of Ireland: Aghade 059 9159367, Tullow 059 9151481.
Carlow Tourist Office 059 9131554.
Banks in Carlow Town: AIB 059 9131079, Bank of Ireland 059 9131676, First Active 059 9142540