At Woodford Dolmen Hotel · Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207
Twice a year the Woodford Dolmen Hotel on the edge of Carlow town turns its ballroom over to country and Irish dancing for a full weekend, and the August edition is one of the busier dates on the hotel’s calendar. The package runs across Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August 2026, built around live bands each night rather than a DJ, which is what keeps regulars coming back year after year. Friday’s line-up brings Mike Denver and his band along with Jack Keogh and his band, with Any Feery keeping the floor going into the late set. Saturday hands the stage to Michael English and his band and Gavin Gribben and his band, with Paddy Treacy closing out the night. Both evenings are billed at over four hours of dancing. For anyone who wants to sharpen their steps before the evening sets, there is also an afternoon dance class with Declan Flanagan included in the weekend. It is a residential package rather than a drop-in night out, so most of the crowd are staying on site for the two nights, making a proper weekend of it rather than just a night on the town.
The Woodford Dolmen Hotel sits just off the Kilkenny Road on the southern edge of Carlow town, a few minutes’ drive from the town centre and well signposted from the ring road. Carlow’s train station, with regular Irish Rail services from Dublin Heuston, is about a 10-minute drive away, and Bus Éireann services connecting Carlow to Kilkenny and Waterford stop in the town centre. The hotel has its own on-site car park for residential guests.
Heading to Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow? Carlow has plenty more to see. Read the Carlow area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.