The Travellers Rest: Inns in Carlow

In Eighteenth Century Ireland inns were a vital part of the road transport network. The Dublin to Carlow, Kilkenny Turnpike had major stages at Castledermot, Carlow and the Royal Oak where stagecoaches stopped and allowed passengers to refresh themselves. Horses were changed at each staging post or inn.

The inns at Carlow and the Royal Oak had stabling for up to fifty horses. "The old and noted inn at Leighlinbridge" had "stables, well lofted for above forty horses". It also had thirty acres of meadow ground available and a water close. Inn also made a point of informing the public that they had care drivers available for "good post chaises" with choice "road hacks".

The commodious large inn opposite the County Courthouse in Carlow town had a spacious yard and stables for fifty horses "with a convenient water slip" and a garden behind the stables. A further twelve acres were available near the town, presumably for the horses.

Inns were named in a colourful manner such as The Kings Arms, Royal Oak Inn, Sheaf Inn. The inns at Leighlinbridge were advertised as being convenient for passengers between Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny and Clonmel.

Also important for passengers was the food and drink available. Christopher Reilly had fitted up an inn known by the sign of the King's Arms at the west end of Leighlinbridge. He offered "the neatest kind of wines, and the best spirituous and malt liquors". He had also hired a "good cook" and boasted of keeping a good larder "constantly supplied with the best things in their seasons".

This piece taken from Barry Lyndon by W.M. Thackeray, the hero Barry Lyndon gives an account of staying at an inn in County Carlow "I rode that night as far as Carlow, where I lay at the best inn; and being asked what was my name by the landlord of the house, gave it as Mr. Redmond, according to my cousin's instructions, and said I was of the Redmonds of Waterford County, and was on my road to Trinity College, Dublin, to be educated there. Seeing my handsome appearance, silver-hilted sword, and well-filled valise, my landlord made free to send up a jug of claret without my asking, and charged, you may be sure, pretty handsomely for it in the bill. No gentleman in those good old days went to bed without a good share of liquor to set him sleeping, and on this my first day's entrance into the world, I made a point to act the fine gentleman completely, and, I assure you, succeeded in my part to admiration."