The 16-arch Borris Viaduct spans the valley of the Mountain River at the southern end of Borris. It combines a striking structure with walking trails, local history and views of the Blackstairs Mountains landscape.
Viaduct, walking trails and scenery
The Borris Viaduct opened in 1860. The Borris Viaduct Walk is an approximately 1.5 km loop that passes under the viaduct and offers views of the Blackstairs Mountains and Mount Leinster. The route combines the structure with a manageable walk; its length and loop format are useful points of reference when planning a stroll.
The old Borris railway line is also part of the viaduct’s history. Its recent restoration has made part of the line accessible to visitors, but larger sections are not easily accessible. So don’t plan on the entire former railway line as a continuous, easily accessible route.
Another way to get active is to take the Barrow track from Borris to Clashganny. It runs alongside the river and can be cycled. This gives you different ways to explore Borris: a clearly defined loop at the viaduct or a riverside route that is also an option for a bike ride.
Village character and architectural history
Borris retains old granite houses and largely intact Victorian shopfronts. The five-bay Protestant School House, built in 1835, stands at the Fairgreen. These buildings complement the view of the viaduct with the village’s architecture: Borris can be explored not only through its grand railway bridge, but also through smaller buildings and preserved façades.
The Step House is a hotel and also an example of the Tudor Gothic style found throughout Borris. It is therefore a specific reference point for the local architecture when looking for accommodation. The connection between architectural history and accommodation is a distinctive feature of choosing where to stay; other aspects of Borris include its walking trails, riverside route and traditional craft.
Borris House and the history of lace
Borris House is in the centre of Borris Village. Its grounds include grassy meadows, the Stew Pond, a 19th-century icehouse and notable specimen trees, including a tulip tree, cut-leaf beeches and a cedar of Lebanon planted in 1870. These landscape features add another focus to the built heritage.
The tradition of Borris lace is associated with Borris House and, in particular, Lady Harriet Kavanagh. The Lace Garden illustrates this history and is located on the original laundry green. In this way, lace is not just mentioned as a craft, but also linked to a specific place and person.
Getting here and choosing where to stay
Borris is on the New Ross–Borris–Carlow bus route. If you’re planning to travel to or from Borris by bus, check the current timetable. When choosing where to stay, you can also consider which of Borris’s features interests you most: the viaduct loop, the option to cycle the Barrow track, or the village’s architectural and craft history. The Step House is a hotel in Borris; the sights and trails mentioned here offer further ideas for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Ballon, Carlow, Hacketstown, Killerig, Leighlinbridge, Muine Bheag, Tullow, Bunclody.
For the wider travel overview: County Carlow.
