Birr Travel Guide

 mvtouring Says:  Birr Castle is the oldest inhabited home in the county. In the 16th century the O'Carrolls of Ely had one of their castles here and this was granted to Sir Laurence Parsons in the course of the Stuart plantation, c. 1620. Sir Laurence Parsons built most of the structure of... 

 mvtouring Says:  Birr (Biorra in Irish) is a town in the Midlands county of Offaly in Ireland. Once called Parsonstown, after the Parsons family who were local landowners and hereditary Earls of Rosse, Birr is situated at the meeting of the Camcor and Little Brosna rivers. On leaving Birr,... 

 mvtouring Says:  Referred to by Geraldus Cambrensisen in the 12th Century as "umbilicus Hiberniae" (The naval of Ireland). Probably part of a megalithic monument located at Seffin, the exact site of which is not known. Reputed by oral tradition to have marked a meeting place of the Fianna.... 

 mvtouring Says:  William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse KP (June 17 1800 - October 31 1867) built the world's largest telescope in 1845 and it remained the world's largest for the rest of the century. Using this telescope he saw and cataloged a large number of galaxies. 

 kit_mc Says:  Most tourists coming to Birr end up visiting this place. While the gothic looking Castle itself is still home to the Earl of Rosse and his family and out of bounds to visitors, the massive park grounds, including sights such as the Leviathon telescope, originally built in... 

 kit_mc Says:  In the grounds of the castle you'll find the reconstructed Leviathon, the massive telecope originally designed and built by the Third Earl of Rosse in the 1840's. Many of the findings from research carried out using the telescope were published and the telescope became... 

 himalia11 Says:  At the "Birr Castle Demesne", you'll find this beautifull castle. There has been a Norman castle on this site since 1170 and since 1620, the castle and its grounds are in possession of the Parsons family which still owns the castle. Unfortunately it cannot be visited as it’s... 

 himalia11 Says:  There’s much more to see at Birr Castle Demesne than the Great Telescope and the Science Museum. There’s a huge park, with several walking paths, a lake, a nice garden, and this little waterfall near to a fernery. Unfortunately it was rather rainy that day (I’m still... 

 himalia11 Says:  This telescope once was the largest telescope for over 70 years. It was constructed at Birr Castle in the 1840’s by the 3rd Earl of Rosse, William Parsons. It’s a 72 inch (183 cm) reflecting telescope, and although other scientists like Faucault found this telescope... 

 einokj Says:  There is absolutely a brilliant park outside the castle. Even if you're not that much keen on the parks, you should visit there. Anyway, this is most likely the reason why you're in Birr. For the science enthusiasts, such like me, it is well worth seeing since the Parson... 

 mvtouring Says:  woollen mill accommodates the lounge area with french doors leading onto a raised decking area allowing guests to enjoy the magnificent Mediterranean style courtyard. In contrast to the lounge the subtle tones of creams and browns within the restaurant, create a comfortable...