Welcome to Birr!
Birr – known in the past as Parsonstown, after one of its principal families – has a reputation as the coldest place in Ireland. It is set in the Midlands and is home to the castle of Birr. Birr Castle is the oldest inhabited home in the country, and one of the families that has lived there – and live there to this day – is the Parsons.
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County Arms Hotel Birr
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The landlords took over the castle during the Stuart Plantation of the early seventeenth century, when Lawrence Parsons was granted the property from the O’Carrolls of Ely. Parsons built what is most of the present structure of the castle. While the Seventh Earl of Rosse, Brendan Parsons, resides there today, Birr Castle itself is usually not open to the public. However, its grounds are, and it has fine gardens that can be admired and walked through. The family also has a history of scientific innovation, with members contributing a number of inventions and scientific techniques to the world in the nineteenth century and before. The house is home to what was the largest telescope in the world until 1917, built in the nineteenth. The earl of the time and his wife (herself a photographer of some regard) used early camera technology to take some of the first pictures of celestial bodies unseen by the human eye before.
Geographically, Birr is the meeting point for two minor tributaries that eventually join the River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles.
The architecture of Birr is in keeping with its reputation as an enclave to those loyal to the crown in bygone days. It was from 1620 a garrison town. While many towns and villages in Ireland contain narrow streets and winding boreens, Birr is an exception and is a designated Irish Heritage Town full of wide thoroughfares, Georgian architecture and fanlight windows (in the Georgian style and dating from that period).
However, Birr has a history that long pre-dates English and even Anglo Norman colonisation. A thousand years before the plantation, the Synod of Birr was held to establish the Law of Innocents, which laid ground rules and laws of fair play among those at war with each other, an early version of the Geneva Convention.
Birr Golf Club
Castle Barna Golf Club
Edenderry Golf Club
Esker Hills Golf Club
Portarlington Golf Club
Tullamore Golf Club
Main Town Attractions
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Slieve Bloom Environmental Mountain Park - Birr
In contrast with the surrounding plain, this modest 615m high mountain range appears imposing. Blanket bog, green forest with picnic and amenity areas, waterfalls, deep glens and peaceful villages make the area's 155,400 hectares an altogether delightful touring destination.
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Birr Castle - Birr
Birr, county Offaly, is situated on the banks of the River Camcor. The place name "Birr" originated in an Irish term probably used to describe this riverside position, though for many years the town was known as "Parsonstown", as Birr Castle was and still is, home to the Parsons family. Back in 1620 Sir Laurence Parsons was granted 1,277 acres of land and took possession of Birr town. The castle has grown since then and become famous for many things, but mostly for the telescope, which was the largest in the world for over 70 years and was constructed in the 1840s by the Third Earl of Rosse. It was recently restored and is in fine working order.
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Leap Castle - Birr
Located South-east of Birr between Kinnity and Roscrea are the remains of Leap Castle. Originally an O'Carroll fortress, it guarded the pass from the Slieve Bloom into Munster. It was destroyed in 1922 during the civil war. Today it hosts occasional Irish music sessions. The site also boasts great views of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
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Slieve Bloom Environmental Mountain Park - Birr
Located at Birr, In contrast with the surrounding plain, this modest 615m high mountain range appears imposing. Blanket bog, green forest with picnic and amenity areas, waterfalls, deep glens and peaceful villages make the area's 155,400 hectares an altogether delightful touring destination.
Offaly Tourist Attractions
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Birr Castle - Birr
Birr, county Offaly, is situated on the banks of the River Camcor. The place name "Birr" originated in an Irish term probably used to describe this riverside position, though for many years the town was known as "Parsonstown", as Birr Castle was and still is, home to the Parsons family. Back in 1620 Sir Laurence Parsons was granted 1,277 acres of land and took possession of Birr town. The castle has grown since then and become famous for many things, but mostly for the telescope, which was the largest in the world for over 70 years and was constructed in the 1840s by the Third Earl of Rosse. It was recently restored and is in fine working order.
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Charleville Castle - Tullamore
Located at Tullamore, Charleville is Irelands finest gothic revival castle. It is considered to be a masterpiece of Francis Johnstons, who designed the GPO in Dublin. The castle was built between 1798 and 1810. The massive dining room was designed by Sir William Morris.
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Leap Castle - Birr
Located South-east of Birr between Kinnity and Roscrea are the remains of Leap Castle. Originally an O'Carroll fortress, it guarded the pass from the Slieve Bloom into Munster. It was destroyed in 1922 during the civil war. Today it hosts occasional Irish music sessions. The site also boasts great views of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
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Slieve Bloom Environmental Mountain Park - Birr
Located at Birr, In contrast with the surrounding plain, this modest 615m high mountain range appears imposing. Blanket bog, green forest with picnic and amenity areas, waterfalls, deep glens and peaceful villages make the area's 155,400 hectares an altogether delightful touring destination.
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Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre - Tullamore
Located at Bury Quay, Tullamore, the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre is housed in the original 1897 bonded warehouse. The exhibition relates the story of the town's development, focusing on the Grand Canal, Tullamore Dew Whiskey (named after Daniel Edmond Williams) and Irish Mist Liqueur. At the end of the tour, enjoy a complimentary tasting of one of these drinks.
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West Offaly Railway Bog Tour - Shannonbridge
Located at Blackwater Works, Shannonbridge, this 5.5 miles is Ireland's only passenger train that journeys through a bog. Experience the past, present and future uses of Blackwater Bog - you might even have the chance to cut turf by hand. Where else can you travel 10,000 years in just 9km. New for 2000 is 'T on the bog'. As part of your tour, try a cup of tea and a slice of porter cake out on the bog - must be pre-booked.
Heritage Sites
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Clonmacnoise - Shannonbridge
Located at Shannonbridge, on the banks of the river Shannon, one of Ireland's most famous monastic sites, Clonmacnoise was founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century. The site includes the ruins of a Cathedral, eight churches dating from the 10th and 13th century, two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christain grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. Buried here is the last High King of Ireland - Rory OÇonnor
