Discover Tullow: Churches and History

Tullow combines distinctive church and architectural heritage with museums dedicated to local history and outdoor attractions. St. Columba’s Church, Tullow Bridge and the Courthouse each tell a different story about the town’s architecture. Museums explore the local past and important figures, while Tullow Town Park offers a playground, fitness equipment and a skate park. During your stay, you can choose between cultural and historical attractions and activities in the park.

Churches and notable figures

The present-day St. Columba’s Church was built in 1830–1831 and is already the third church on this site. It is a four-bay Gothic Revival building, designed by Thomas Cobden, who also designed Carlow Cathedral. The church appears to stand on the site of Tullow’s original Anglo-Norman parish church, which was part of a complex that included Tullow Castle. At St. Columba’s, memorials commemorate the Wolseley family of Mount Wolseley and members of the Doyne family of Tullow.

Another trace of church history leads to the Church of the Most Holy Rosary. Bishop Daniel Delany had it built; it opened and was blessed in 1805. His remains are interred there. The Bishop Daniel Delany Museum focuses on a different subject: its artefacts cover Delany and the work of the Brigidine Sisters and the Patrician Brothers. Those interested in church history and the people behind it will find several distinct topics in Tullow to explore individually.

Buildings and memorials

Tullow Courthouse is a late Georgian building, constructed around 1825. Inside is a double-height courtroom: a large, curved segmental-arched window with multiple panes defines the room, with an upper-floor gallery on one side.

Tullow Bridge is also notable for its construction. The bridge has flattened arches and is faced entirely with dressed granite. Simply designed piers and pointed cutwaters add to its architectural quality. Tullow Bridge is one of two such bridges on the River Slaney. Another historic memorial stands in Market Square: a monument commemorates the execution of Fr. John Murphy at this spot on 2 July 1798.

The Abbey graveyard is on the site of an Augustinian monastery founded by Hugh Talun and Simon Lumbard in 1314. The monastery was dissolved in 1541 as part of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. The graveyard thus connects a specific place in Tullow with two notable dates in monastic history.

Museums and local history

Tullow Museum is housed in a restored former Methodist church built of stone, beside River Slaney Bridge. Its varied collection includes artefacts relating to local history. These include items connected with Fr. John Murphy’s association with the town, among them pieces believed to be his final vestments. Admission to this museum is free; voluntary contributions are welcome.

The two museums have different focuses: Tullow Museum highlights local history through its varied artefacts, while the Bishop Daniel Delany Museum focuses on Delany and the work of the two religious orders. If local history is of particular interest to you during your trip, these distinct areas of focus offer different ways to explore Tullow’s past.

Park activities for different interests

Tullow Town Park has a children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment and a modern skate park. These facilities appeal to different interests: children can make the playground part of their time outdoors, while the fitness equipment and skate park offer other activities. Tullow Park also offers a lovely view of the river.

When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on churches, architecture and local history or on spending time in the park. This can help you choose Tullow as a destination and tailor your search for a holiday rental to the things that interest you there.

Explore more places

If you’d like to explore more places: Ballon, Bunclody, Muine Bheag, Rathvilly, Carlow, Killerig, Borris, Hacketstown.

For the broader travel overview: County Carlow.