Birr Heritage Town & Castle Demesne Click on image for more details

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Our next trip is planned for Saturday 6^th May 2006.

Time: to be confirmed Coach from Glenalbyn Car Park

Birr has been referred to as Umbilicus Hiberniae, the navel or centre of Ireland and is the oldest urban centre in County Offaly. From the early seventeenth to the early nineteenth century it was the largest of the county's towns. It is one of Ireland’s finest examples of an 18/19th century Georgian town - formal, spacious and well planned with Georgian houses along its tree-lined malls. Birr Castle Demesne, seat of the Earls of Rosse for fourteen generations, plays host to Ireland's Historic Science Centre. There has been a Norman Castle on this site since 1170. From the 14th to the 17th century the O'Carroll family ruled from here and the territory was known as Ely O'Carroll.

Travel through the history of the demesne since 1620 and get to know the Parsons family who have been living in the castle ever since. Meet the Garden Earls (5th, 6th and present 7th) and their talented wives to whose imagination and creativity we owe the present magnificent grounds, the 17th century park and famous Box Hedges listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest in the world, the 18th century lake area, the 19th century Suspension Bridge and Winter Garden, the 20th century Formal Garden, Terrace Gardens and River Garden.

Price: €25-€25 approx includes transport by coach from Glenalbyn Car Park, entrance fee, guided tour of gardens and science centre at Birr Castle Demesne and historic tour of Birr town. Lunch and snacks are available to buy at the Castle coffee shop or in the town.