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Explore our Festival HQ

Carlow Arts Festival is presented at our Festival HQ in the beautiful grounds of Carlow College.

Festival HQ

Carlow Arts Festival headquarter

Festival HQ

Festival HQ will be buzzing all weekend with creative adventures late into the night. We invite you to pop in, grab a bite to eat, drink, hang out with friends and family, and soak in the amazing atmosphere.

Carlow Arts Festival headquarter

The O’Hara’s Quarter

Fans dancing at OHaras Quarter 2022

The O’Hara’s Quarter

The O’Hara’s Quarter hosts a variety of free performances during the day including trad sessions, circus and comedy. At night, we present a line-up of music gigs with some of Ireland’s most acclaimed artists.

The O'Hara's Quarter Bar will serve a superb range of O'Hara's Craft Beer and other beverages.


Fans dancing at OHaras Quarter 2022

Festival Food Village

Dough toss Cibo vendors 2022

Festival Food Village

Great food is integral to the festival experience! Our Food Village will have a carefully selected mix of the best pop-up food trucks, coffee bars and more. So, whether you're after sweet or savoury, snacks or street food, there will be lots to choose from.

Lennons, the restaurant and café at VISUAL will also be open during the festival.

Dough toss Cibo vendors 2022

For children & families

Carlow Arts Festival Kids workshop

For children & families

There’s so much going on for children and young people at Festival HQ.

Across the weekend, The Crunniú na nÓg Tent will host fun free performances and creative workshops for children and people of all ages.

And Carlow Sports Partnership will present old-school sports activities on the lawns in front of the College on both Saturday and Sunday.

Check out our programme for full details on everything on offer for kids during the festival.

Carlow Arts Festival Kids workshop

VISUAL

VISUAL at night 2021 sq

VISUAL

Art lovers will be inspired by Ireland’s largest and most spectacular space for contemporary art.

Set within the grounds of Carlow College on the Festival HQ site, VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre has welcomed thousands of visitors since it opened in 2009.

During the festival, VISUAL will present ARTWORKS, one of Ireland’s largest open-submission visual art exhibitions and art prizes. Emerging in 1979 as part of our festival, ARTWORKS has, since 2009, been successfully co-produced by Carlow Arts Festival and VISUAL.

Wheelchair accessible

Hearing Loop

VISUAL at night 2021 sq

Carlow College, St. Patrick's

Carlow Arts Festival The Bathers waving

Carlow College, St. Patrick's

We are privileged to hold our festival on the campus of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, the second-oldest third-level institution in Ireland. Starting in 1793 as a lay college and seminary and is now a vibrant, liberal arts community. During the festival, the College Buildings will host a number of events.

Wheelchair accessible

Carlow Arts Festival The Bathers waving

More in this section

More in
this section

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How to book

Entering Carlow Live and Local 2022

Getting here

Carlow arts Festival audience

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