Research

If you are looking to do research, we at the Museum are always happy to help however we can. Our contact details can be found here.

The below links may be of help in your research on County Carlow.

The Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society (CHAS) was formed in 1946 when a small group of local enthusiasts came together to establish a forum through which the study of local history might be encouraged. Click on the above left image to visit their website.

CHAS works on the promotion of public interest in the history and antiquities of the town and county of Carlow. They present a series of lectures over the winter months, publish an annual journal Carloviana, and organise places of interest.

Recorded Lecture Series

From 2015 CHAS began recording lectures to both preserve them and to make them available for people who were unable to attend at the time. You can access the recorded lectures at by clicking here.

Carloviana

They also publish an annual journal, Carloviana, which has been in print since 1947. The publication collects a variety of diverse and well-researched articles covering all manner of things Carlow historical. Back issues of Carloviana can be found in their archives by clicking the image above right. They have a very helpful index to search through the articles which can be accessed by clicking here.

Carlow County Library is home to the Carlow County Archives; its job is to collect archival documents relating to County Carlow and to make them freely available to the public for research. The County Archive is not open to the public but all materials can be consulted in the Local Studies area. Prior appointment is advised to access archival materials. The Archives Page lists archival material available for research including: 

The Carlow County Library Photographic Archive

The Burton Collection

This collection comprises estate papers of the Burton family. Most documents relate to property transactions and refer to lands in and around Carlow town. The collection also includes several marriage settlements, wills, and property transactions.

Maps and Minute Books

Archives of Carlow Grand Jury

Carlow County Library Newspaper Archive        

Including the Carlow Nationalist, Carlow People, the Carlow Post and the Carlow Sentinel. A fantastic resource if you are looking for information, opinions and a local take on local and national events.

The Local Studies Department    

Has a wide range of Irish and Local Periodicals which are all available for reference. Find more information by clicking the right image above. 

Roots Ireland                      

Roots Ireland has the most extensive and easily searchable database of Catholic Church records anywhere online; very useful for tracing ancestry. See their website here.

National Library of Ireland                                    

The National Library of Ireland provides an online catalogue and database to access newspaper archives, digital photographs and manuscript collections. Visit their website here.

Genealogy Service

Carlow County Library also offers a Genealogist Service on Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only. Visit their website by clicking on the image above.

Carlow Tourism

Carlow Tourism has several links, articles and PDFs exploring various parts of County Carlow including:

Mount Leinster Heritage Drive
Carlow Tourism – Heritage Sites
Carlow Tourism – Historic Sites


Please click the image above to access Carlow Tourism's website.

Carlow Trails of the Saints

There are at least twenty-two early saints associated with Carlow and its area. Some were born in the county (St. Columbanus) and spent their lives here; others came to be educated (St. Willibrord) or to found monasteries. The Carlow Trails of the Saints consists of three distinct driving trails around county Carlow, and the majority of sites along the routes have associations with one or more of these saints. Click the image above to see more on our own website.

County Carlow Military Museum

County Carlow Military Museum is a museum dedicated to the military history of County Carlow and its people. It is located in the Church on the grounds of St. Dympna’s Hospital in Carlow town. Click the above image to visit their Facebook page.

Tullow Museum

Tullow Museum features a splendid collection of artefacts, war memorabilia, photographs and shop items reflecting local Tullow history. Their many displays feature collections of local shop and industry items, photographs, genealogy records, and headstone inscription records. Please click the above image to visit their website.

Others

The National Archives                                                                                                                                                                              

The National Archives of Ireland’s website has several online digital resources, articles, online exhibitions and guides for researchers locating Irish historical content.  It also provides a genealogy section and useful links for Irish genealogy research.  Available online here are the 1901 and 1911 census for all 32 counties of Ireland.  See their website here.

Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI)

Access to historical maps of Ireland can be accessed by clicking here.

Archaeology                                                                                                                                                         

The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is a unit of the National Monuments Service. The ASI was established to compile an inventory of the known archaeological monuments in the State, which you can see by clicking here.

Irish History Podcasts                                                                                                                                

Access to online podcasts on Irish history. From the Great Famine to the Maamtrasna Murders, the Norman Invasion to Irish Partisans in the Spanish Civil War – these podcasts tell our history like you’ve never heard it before… They have hundreds of free podcasts available online here.

Royal Irish Academy                                                                                                                                    

Irish History Online is the national bibliography of Irish history, with access to many Irish history publications and useful historical links. The list is ever-growing and includes what has been written about Irish history from earliest times to the present. You can visit their website here.

The Ask about Ireland website is full of interesting information from many different public libraries, museums and archives throughout Ireland including Carlow. Many different areas of Irish history and culture have been examined in detail with a strong emphasis on the local history for each area, such as Architecture, Poor Law Union, Transport, Sport, Carlow Artists, Carlow Writers, Folklore and Carlow in 1798. You can visit their website by clicking here.

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