Carlow Town Council
Carlow County, Carlow Town & Muine Bheag Councils were established under the Local Government Act of 1898 with the first elections being held in 1899. Carlow Town Council (formerly Carlow Urban District Council) is responsible for the development, maintenance of Carlow Town including the provision and maintenance of water, social housing, sewerage, planning, business parks, amenities and the coordination of the Town’s development plan. The Council also actively promotes and develops a variety of local amenities such as the new Town Park, and is a major player in the forthcoming Visual Arts Centre and Theatre. Carlow Town Council operates Carlow County Museum in conjunction with Carlow County Council and in association with the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society. The Council has an elected body of nine Councillors who are elected every five years by proportional representation. The Cathaoirleach or Mayor is elected every year from the elected representatives.
The Council celebrated its 100 anniversary in 1999 and commissioned a special commemorative medal. Photo Carlow County Museum.
The Council also actively promotes and encourages cultural and tourism activities with active particapitation and support for the Eigse Carlow Arts Festival and Carlow Tourism.
As part of the European wide Town Twinning Associations, Carlow Town is twinned with Dole in the Dijon Region in France since 1992. In 1993 the Town twinned with Northwich in Cheshire, England. Tempe, Arizona, USA is linked to the Town through the Sister Cities Programme since 1998. Annually during the summer student exchanges take place between Carlow, Dole and Tempe.
Welcome Home Festival June 2006, on a tour of the Delta Centre Sensory Gardens. Photo Carlow County Museum.
There are a number of Carlow Associations in London, Birmingham and Manchester in England while the Carlow – New York Association will be celebrating its 100 anniversary in 2007. These Associations maintain close links to the town and county.
The newly renovated Town Hall. Photo Carlow County Museum.
Carlow Town Council is based at the newly renovated Town Hall, which was originally built in 1885. Located in the rear of the Town Hall was the Theatre, which was in regular use up until the late 1970s when it became the home of Carlow County Museum. The Museum remained there until 2002 and is in the transitional period between their and its new home on College Street.
September 1894 outside the Town Hall as the crowds gather to proceed to the opening of Carlow Waterworks. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 86-049.
Together with Carlow County Council, which under takes a similar role for the county along with Muine Bheag Town Council (Bagenalstown) they form Carlow Local Authorities. Carlow County Council operates from its headquarters on the Athy Road in Carlow Town with new area office facilities in Tullow and Muine Bheag.
For further information on Carlow County and Town’s Councils go to www.carlow.ie
