Birr Castle Science Centre & Gardens

Birr Castle is located in Offaly which is around a 2-hour drive from Dublin but it is well worth the trip. The Hidden Heartland’s of Ireland has a lot to offer that many tourists tend to miss on the rush to well-known sites. It’s easiest to rent a car to really see the Heartland’s of Ireland and Birr Castle is no exception, there are ways to get here via bus and train but it could take you up to 4 hours or more.

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Birr Castle is just a short drive from the Rock of Cashel and Tipperary in Ireland’s Ancient East

Birr Castle has stood in Ireland since the Anglo-Normans built a castle on the motte. The castle was held by the O’Carrolls until the 1580’s when it was sold to the Ormond Brothers. By 1620 the castle was a ruin and James the 1st granted it to the Parsons family. In the 17th century, the castle survived two sieges and over the course of time until the 19th century the castle was ‘modernised’ and improved upon.  Birr Castle as you see it today was completed by the 1860s and today is lived in by the Parson’s family.

Birr Castle, is a private home and is rarely seen on the inside but the gardens of Birr are famous and home to an abundance of rare plants, collected by the Earls of Rosse on their travels around the world.  Covering over 50 hectares you will find the world’s tallest box hedges, over 40 champion trees, over 2000 species of plant as well as rivers, lake and waterfalls. It now has plant material collected and subscribed for by 3 generations of the family, as well as some of the most famous plant hunters, past and present.

Hawks and birds of prey

Birr Castle Tour with General Admission Ticket €18.00 pp

This magnificent castle is a rare gem in the heart of Ireland as it is still lived in by the Parsons family. For a limited time only May-August, The Parsons Family have opened their home to allow the public inside Birr Castle. A fortress built in the 11th century was acquired by the family in 1620 and the various generations have been working to build, preserve and protect this great heritage ever since.

the telescope

On your tour of the castle, your guide will lead you through a number of beautiful rooms while enlightening you on the history, the family, key pieces of furniture, and the collection of treasures within the rooms.

handfasting stone at Birr

Monday to Saturday at 10.00, 11.30 and 13.00 each day, Pre-booking is essential and you can do this online. The castle tour includes a 45-minute guided tour of the main reception rooms of Birr Castle, and full access to the Science Centre, the Great Telescope and 120 acres of gardens and parklands. Castle tours are not suitable for children under the age of 12. 

For admission only to the grounds, gardens, science centre and children’s areas, the ticket price is Adult: €9.50.

Birr waterfall

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The Science centre at Birr Castle reveals the wonders of early photography, engineering and astronomy with a special emphasis on the brilliant design and assembly of the world-famous Great Telescope. In the early 1840s, the Third Earl of Rosse designed and built the largest telescope in the world. With this telescope, he discovered the spiral nature of some of the galaxies, and from 1845-1914, anyone wishing to witness this phenomenon had to come to Birr.

getting ready to joust

At the Science Centre, you can discover astronomical instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equipment used by the Third and Fourth Earls and Mary, Countess of Rosse, in the middle and late 1800s.

Birr Castle Game Fair 

Great Game Fairs of Ireland events are held at traditional venues on Ireland’s most historic estates. They are well established and contain a wealth of entertainment. From gun dogs to shooting competitions. a Fine Food Festival, Living History Villages and so much more.  

Birr Castle Stables

The Game Fairs are an ideal place to learn about countryside living in Ireland along with displays and exhibits there is information on preserving the countryside, sustainable living and farming practices, environmental watchdogs and tons of information on how to maintain the environment that makes Ireland so special. Every year the Birr Castle Game Fair is held in Offaly and it is attended by over 20,000 people a year.

Birr Castle Game Fair has re-enactors jousting, hawking, shooting arrows, gun dogs and trials and all sorts of activities for both kids and adults. On top of that, you can watch Vikings go about their business in the Living History Village, catch some jousting in the square, learn to handle hawks and game birds yourself and then wander off to watch the dogs compete for their owners.

There is also a great food fair held at Birr Castle during the Game Fair – the perfect place to pick up some tasty treats to take home and there are even loads of booths with wax jackets, welly boots and other country needs.

A trip to Birr is a full day especially if you want to take in the Gardens and the Science Centre. There is a lovely courtyard cafe where you can take a break and have some fresh scones and jam with your cup of tea. Even if you visit when there is no Game Fair you will find plenty to do and admire at this beautiful castle.

Birr Castle also hosts several special events throughout the year from Balloon Festivals to Halloween Celebrations and Science Walks. There is so much to see you can spend a couple of days there.

While you are in the area you must also take time to visit Birr itself. You can take in the Birr Town Trail or Riverbank Walk, with both routes starting from Emmet Square and covering a distance of just over 1km each. Or check out the graveyard of St. Brendan and the location of the old monastic site.  

If you love architecture you will definitely appreciate the town of Birr’s immaculate Georgian buildings. Or if you prefer something more energetic how about a great cross country trek on horseback? Visit the Birr Equestrian Centre for lessons and trekking. 

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