The Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society, CHAS (formerly the Old Carlow Society) was formed at a Public Meeting in 1946 with the purpose of encouraging public interest and research into the history, folklore, archaeology, genealogy and antiquities of County Carlow. The Society also wanted to promote the preservation of buildings and monuments of a historical and archaeological interest. In practical terms this means that the Society hosts regular lectures, organises annual tours, publishes a yearly journal and established a museum to house the county’s treasurers. All work carried out by the Society’s members is done so in a voluntary capacity.  Membership is open to all such interested people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every year since 1947 (bar two) the Society has published a journal called “Carloviana” which contains a wide variety of articles on the above mentioned areas of interest. In December ’02 with the assistance of Carlow LEADER the Society published “Ballads of County Carlow”, a book of fifty ballads and songs that were collected over the years by the Society.

During the winter months a series of six free lectures are hosted in various venues throughout the county on a variety of topics of local and national interest. The Society organises an annual outing outside the county and during Heritage Week organises a tour in and around the county. All the activities are available to be enjoyed by both members and non-members. Currently the Society has a membership of approximately 200.

In the late 1960s the Society began to collect artefacts relevant to Carlow’s historic past and on Sunday December 2nd 1974 the Society opened and operated a museum in the former C.B.S school on College Street in Carlow town (now the new Parish Office). Such was the success of this that the collection grew and in 1979 following an agreement with Carlow Town Council the museum was relocated to the former Theatre Room of the Town Hall. The collection now contains over 4,000 artefacts relating to various aspects of the county’s history. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlow County Museum in the former Theatre of Carlow Town Hall as operated by CHAS.                                  
Photo: Carlow County Museum.

Since January 2002 the Society have entered into a partnership arrangement with the Carlow Town and County Council’s to professionalise the museums operations.  The involvement of CHAS as partners in the project will give a strong sense of community ownership to the Museum.