The Blackstairs Mountains are a Special Areas of Conservation with loads of opportunities to ramble and explore its natural beauty. The local walking clubs include the Blackstairs Ramblers, http://www.blackstairsramblers.com/ , and the Tullow Mountineering Club, http://www.tullowmountaineeringclub.ie/ , who frequently do excursions on the mountains and would be well worth contacting. A local Cartographer has extensively mapped the area and maps are available at http://www.eastwestmapping.ie/node/60. The area is also home to a number of local business:
Blackstairs Ecotrails
Providing Eco Trails, Guided Hikes, Workshops, Foraging, The Foraging Hen Events – Elegant Hen Parties for Elegant Brides, Teachers Courses, School Visits Childrens Trails and Fun in the Wild! http://www.blackstairsecotrails.ie/
Go With The Flow River Adventures
Kayaking trips on the River Barrow. http://gowiththeflow.ie/
Glen Lucas Wood Turning
Learn to create wonderful turning with this world renowned wood turner. http://glennlucaswoodturning.com/
Nicola Brown
Nicola Brown creates interior accessories, wearable art and sculptural pieces from silk, wool and handmade felt which is inspired by shapes from the natural world and the beauty of this rural Irish landscape. http://clasheen.com/
Special Ops Paintballing
For the secret Rambo’s among you. http://www.specialops.ie/
Other attractions
Local Market
Borris Town, Borris Food and Craft Market – Borris Food and Craft Market takes place every Friday morning from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in Borris Town Hall. http://carlowtourism.com/borris-food-craft-market/
Borris House & The Store
The ancestral home of the McMorrough Kavanaghs, High Kings of Leinster, Borris House is one of the most beautiful and historic Irish country houses located in the most spectacular scenery Ireland has to offer. http://www.borrishouse.com/
Mount Leinster Heritage Drive
This is a 75km driving route through the beautiful countryside of rural south Carlow, over and around Mount Leinster, taking in the towns of and villages of Borris, Bunclody, Clonegal, Kildavin, Myshall, Fenagh and Bagenalstown. Download a broucher at http://carlowtourism.com/site-assets/uploads/2012/03/Mount-Leinster-trail-brochure_LR.pdf
Carlow Tourism
Find out more about what the county has to offer at http://carlowtourism.com/