Population:25,000 - includes Graiguecullen, on Laois side of the River Barrow which flows through the town and forms the county border.
Schools:eight primary schools, including a Gaelscoil; six secondary schools, including St Leo's for girls, and Knockbeg College for boys (which offers a "five-day" boarding option); and a highly-regarded Gael Coláiste. Third-level at the Carlow Institute of Technology and at the former seminary, St Patrick's College, which offers degree courses in humanities and social sciences.
Hospitals:St Dympna's Hospital (psychiatric); Sacred Heart Hospital (elderly); and the District Hospital (a 22-bed step-down care facility).
Nearest general hospital is St Luke's, Kilkenny (23 miles).
Main employers:Carlow Institute of Technology, Teagasc, Braun, Lapple. Civil service decentralisation will see sections of the Department of the Enterprise, Trade and Employment relocating from this spring.
Nightlife:because many students go "home" for the weekend, Thursday is a "big night out" in many pubs and clubs.
Carlow is twinned with Dole in the Dijon region of France; Northwich in Cheshire, England, and Tempe, Arizona, USA.
Sight to See:Europe's oldest dolmen at Browne's Hill, two miles outside town. Carlow people are known, in GAA circles, as "scallion eaters" (pronounced "aters" for authenticity apparently).
Best aspects:good schools and shops; friendly atmosphere; easy access to lovely countryside.
Main issue:Greencore's plan to develop the 330-acre site of its former sugar factory is currently under consideration by the local authorities.
Useful contacts: local authority - www.carlow.ie; Carlow Institute of Technology www.itcarlow.ie; job site: www.clickforcarlow.ie.
Local radio:KCLR 96.9 fm.
