Heritage hot spots History, nature, art, environment

BIRR CASTLE DEMESNE What is it?Birr Castle Demesne in Birr, Co Offaly, is both a natural oasis of beauty and a site of exceptional scientific and cultural heritage.

Owned by the Parsons family – the earls and countesses of Rosse – for the last 400 years, it is a genuine hub of scientific discovery and innovation. Its most famous historical item is the Great Telescope, which was built by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840s and remained the world’s largest telescope for the next 75 years.

Why visit?It offers visitors a chance to enjoy wonderfully varied gardens and an internationally significant scientific site. Ireland's Historic Science Centre in the restored old stables contains astronomical instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equipment used by the third and fourth earls of Rosse and Mary, countess of Rosse in the middle and late 1800s. Electrical and engineering equipment used by Charles Parsons (who invented the steam turbine engine) and botanical displays are also housed in the stables. The Great Telescope is located in the centre of the park. The gardens include formal planting in the French style with rare trees and shrubs, many grown from seeds brought back from China in the 1930s. A path over a river bridge leads to a Victorian fernery with its own waterfall and fountain. The castle itself, with its Gothic façade, remains the family home of the Parsons family and is not open to the public.

Why now?Birr Castle Demesne is the venue for an Irish game and country fair today and tomorrow. The fairs celebrate country life in all its glory with clay-pigeon shooting championships, dog shows and lots more. Admission: adults, €15; children, €5; families, €35. See irishgameandcountryfair.com. Next month, the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships will be held in the grounds. Normal admission to Birr Castle applies from 9am-5pm (September 24-30) during the championships – which are the longest-running balloon meet in the world – but after 5pm, admission is free to encourage as many visitors as possible to enjoy the spectacle each day.

How to get there?Birr Castle is in the centre of the historic Georgian town of Birr, Co Offaly. Its walls border William Street, Green Street (R439) and Rosse Row. From Dublin, the best route is on the N7, via Mountrath, Roscrea and on to Birr, which takes about 90 minutes. Birr Castle Demesne is open from 9am to 6pm from March 17th to October 31, and from 10am to 4pm from November to March 16th. Admission: adults, €9; 13-17 year olds/senior citizens, €7.50; 6-12 yr olds, €5; fives and under, free; family tickets (two adults and two children), €25. Tel:057-9120336, birrcastle.com.