Local Information
INTRODUCTION
The heritage town of Birr is located in the heart of the Irish midlands, 80 miles (128km) west of Dublin. It is a virtually intact 18/19th century town, spacious and well planned with many fine examples of Georgian architecture along its tree-lined malls and avenues.
Close to both the River Shannon and the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Birr offers a superb environment and quality of life. In recent years it has become a popular tourism destination with attractions such as the world renowned Birr Castle & Gardens.
To the west of Birr, the Slieve Blooms rise suddenly from the surrounding plain - this beautiful mountain range and environmental park with its blanket bogs and lush forests offers the ideal environment for a range of activities from hiking/walking to orienteering.
On the Shannon River, Lough Derg and various smaller rivers activity options include cruising (including day cruises), canoeing, angling, golf, horse riding walking/hiking, cycling, wildlife and bird watching.
Birr has all the choices of much larger towns including a choice of secondary schools and primary schools. Birr offers an excellent range of modern amenities. Recreational facilities include an 18 hole golf course, driving range, an indoor swimming pool, an equestrian centre and tennis courts, while shooting and fishing prove very popular in the locality. GAA, Rugby and Soccer clubs are represented in Birr with each having their own facilities.
If one wishes to take life a little easier, you can take a stroll in one of the unique and beautiful riverside parks in the town centre or visit the local Library. Catch some live entertainment, be it live concert, musical or drama in Birr’s thriving Theatre and Arts Centre at the Oxmantown Hall. Perhaps dine out in one of the many award winning restaurants or enjoy the vibrant social life in the many public houses in the town. Membership of Birr Castle allows all year access to the castle estate, a great recreational amenity.
FESTIVALS
Birr hosts a number of festivals during the year, the most famous being Vintage Week. Vintage Week which is in mid-August,is the second longest running festival in Ireland, with only the Rose of Tralee in existance for a longer period.
41st Annual Vintage Week
Mid-August 2009
Local Amenities:
- Heritage town of Birr (famous for its Georgian features) www.birrnet.com
- Birr Castle Demesne, Telescope, Science Museum and Formal Gardens
www.birrcastle.com
- Birr Theatre and Arts Centre
- Birr Outdoor Pursuits Centre
- Birr Indoor Swimming Pool (Public)
- Birr GAA Club
- Birr Rugby Club
- Birr Town Soccer Club
- Two tennis clubs in Birr
- Numerous local golf courses (10/12 within 30 mile radius)
- Kinnitty Castle
www.kinnittycastle.com
- Fishing
www.shannon-fishery-board.ie
- Three Equestrian Centres (Cosgrave's Equestrian Centre, Kinnitty Castle Equestrian Centre and Charlie Swan's Equestrian Centre)
- Ormond Flying Club, Birr
www.ormandflyingclub.com
Offaly - General information
www.offaly.ie
- Clonmacnoise - internationally renowned monastic site
www.elyocarroll.com/monasticMidlands.asp
- River Shannon (and its tributaries) and Lough Derg
- The Slieve Bloom Mountains
- Lough Boora Parklands
- Roscrea Heritage Castle, Dailmer House & Gardens
CONTACT US:-
Midland Development & Management Partnership
C/O John Hoare, Roscrea Road, Birr, Co. Offaly.
Mobile: 086-8578014 / Tel: 057-912 2195 / Email: johnjhoare@eircom.net
or
C/O Dermot Coffey, Ashville House, 21 Ashbrook Park, Ennis Road, Limerick.
Mobile: 087-8119618 / Tel:061-321900 / Fax 061-321901 / Email: dermotcoffey@unison.ie
E-mail enquiries may also be made using the "Enquiries" page at this site.