How to Visit Birr Castle
Read our travel guide on Birr Castle in Ireland. Includes best things to do and see, tips on where to stay, how to get, or when to go.
There are several reasons why you should visit Birr Castle.
It has 120 acres of parkland, 4000 trees and plants, 10 kilometers of walking trails, the Science Center, The Great Telescope, and one picturesque castle.
This castle is located in a small heritage town with the same name and is still a family home of Lord and Lady Rosse.
Today, it is among the best things to do in Offaly.
Before our trip, we didn't know anything about the castle and had no idea what we would find there.
Initially, we thought we would find a castle here, just like at Blarney, and some well-landscaped gardens similar to Powerscourt's.
But this castle was a bit different compared to the places we had already visited.
It was the rich history of science, astronomy, and innovation that made Birr Castle one of our favorite places we visited on our Ireland road trip.
So here's everything you should know about Birr Castle before you go.
What to See and Do
After traveling along Wild Atlantic Way for most of our journey, we headed inland to explore the central parts of Ireland.
As mentioned above, there are several things to see and do in Birr Castle.
It's a wonderful place to visit for all types of travelers, but especially families with kids will have a great time here.
Whether you want to enjoy an easy walk through a lush green park, take a guided castle tour, or marvel at the blooming plants or beautiful trees, you're in for a treat.
On top of that, if science is your thing, you will find several interesting inventions here as well.
As it turned out, some of the Parsons family inventions greatly impacted the modern world.
History
A fortress was built on the motte in Anglo-Norman times. The Central Gate Passage has 3.5-meter thick walls and can be seen on the lower floor of the present building.
O'Carrolls occupied Birr until 1580 when the castle was sold to the Ormond Butlers.
The ruined castle was given to the Parsons family in 1620.
The new owners turned the Norman Gate Tower into the English House, with two Flanking Towers on either side.
During the 17th century, the castle survived two sieges, which eventually left the Parsons family impoverished.
A new Gothic facade was added at the beginning of the 19th century, while the old towers and walls were removed.
After a fire that broke out in the central block in 1836, the castle was rebuilt once again.
The ceilings were heightened, and a large dining room with a third story was added.
Later, a new star-shaped motte replaced the original one from the Norman era, and a keep gate was constructed.
By the 1860s, the final works on Birr Castle were completed.
Since the 12th century, a lot has changed, but Birr Castle's story remains compelling.
Birr Castle Guided Tours
If you're heading to Birr Castle for the first time, timing your visit is very important. So let's start with the negatives this time.
One of the most crucial things to know about Birr Castle is that it is still used as a private family home.
Parsons family (Earls of Rosse) has been living there since 1620, so there is no access to the Castle itself for most of the year.
While this is understandable, it can lead to disappointment from the tourist's standpoint.
Fortunately, they do offer seasonal guided tours of the castle's interior from May to September.
When we visited the castle in mid-May, it was still closed to the public, meaning we could enjoy its architecture from a distance.
This wasn't a dealbreaker for us because we'd already seen a fair share of castle interiors on our trip.
But if you're looking for a traditional castle experience with a guided tour that will show you the interiors, you need to plan your visit carefully.
There are usually three Castle Tours per day, and you can buy tickets through the official website.
We don't need to say that the Castle Tour is among the best things to do in Birr Castle.
Birr Castle Demesne and Gardens
We arrived at Birr Castle Demesne early in the morning, and the castle grounds were very quiet.
Except for an early morning jogger and a woman with a stroller, we were the only ones there.
It was a very quiet and laid-back experience, and the castle grounds provided one of the best walks we've had in Ireland.
There is so much to explore at Birr Castle.
The park has a river, a lake, a waterfall, a suspension bridge (though it was closed), many different gardens, giant redwood, terraces, wildflower meadows, box hedges, and much more.
The best part is that a network of well-maintained and flat trails connects virtually every corner of Birr Castle Demesne.
Make sure to take a picture of the map placed in the castle courtyard that makes it easy to self-guide your way through the area.
Or you can take a guided Discovery Tour or Garden Tour in case you prefer to explore the castle's exteriors with a knowledgeable guide.
Note that these tours are also seasonal, and you can make your reservations online.
The Great Telescope
Known as the Leviathan of Parsonstown, this monster telescope was the biggest telescope in the world for over 70 years.
Due to its enormous size, it was named after the mythical sea monster.
It was built in 1845 by the 3rd Earl of Rosse, an astronomer, engineer, naturalist, and president of the Royal Society.
With this telescope, he could explore space and night skies like no other person before.
The tube is 17 meters long, while the speculum mirror at the bottom is 1.8 meters in diameter.
He observed the skies and sketched the images using charcoal and the light of a red lamp. However, the main focus of his studies was on the nebulae.
He discovered that this dust and gas is actually a spiral of stars, which he called the Whirpool Nebula, hinting at the possibility of other galaxies.
His eldest son was also an astronomer who built a machine to measure the moon's heat almost 100 years before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.
The telescope was restored in the 1990s and represents one of Ireland's greatest scientific wonders.
The Science Centre
As science, astronomy, and engineering played a vital role in the personal lives of some of Birr Castle's residents, it's no wonder that you can find a science museum here.
The Science Centre is relatively small but well-presented and laid out.
If you like educational experiences, it's worth seeing.
The Steam Turbine
When we entered Birr Castle's courtyard, we headed directly to the ticket office and barely noticed a wooden shed with a rusty piece of metal on display.
On the way out, we finally came closer and discovered that this fairly inconspicuous thing is, in fact, a remain of a steam engine from Ferbane Power Station.
It was one of the discoveries that changed the world. What was even more astounding was that it was Charles Algernon Parsons who invented it.
He was inspired by the water turbine on the river at Birr Castle that produced electricity for the castle and the town.
The problem was that it powered only one place at any one time. His invention of the compound steam turbine made electricity cheaper and more accessible.
Then he realized that the steam turbine could power the ships, an idea that revolutionized naval warfare and marine transport.
In 1894, he constructed Turbinia, an easily fastest ship in the world at that time.
Three years later, he presented his steam-powered yacht in front of Queen Victoria at her Diamond Jubilee Fleet Review, reaching 34 knots, about 65 km/h.
At the beginning of the 20th century, steam turbines powered British Navy's fleet together with huge luxury liners such as Titanic, Lusitania, and Mauretania.
Today, you can see Turbinia in Newcastle's Museum of Science or HMS Caroline, the survivor of the Battle of Jutland, at Belfast's Titanic Quarter.
Opening Hours
Birr Castle is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
There are three time slots for the Castle Guided Tours throughout the day.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Birr Castle is €11 per adult.
If you're interested in the Birr Castle Guided Tour, it costs €20.
How Much Time Do I Need
We recommend a minimum of two hours to visit Birr Castle.
In fact, it's easy to spend here a whole morning, especially if you're visiting with kids.
It is a large site with nice walks, a variety of plants, rare and exotic trees, a science center, and the castle itself.
Castle Tours at Birr Castle take about 75 minutes.
When to Go
The best time to visit Birr Castle is from late spring to late summer.
The weather in Ireland is at its best during this period, and you can take full advantage of long and warm days.
Plus, the plants are blooming during this period.
This season is considered to be the best time to visit Ireland in general.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you should head to Birr Castle during the shoulder season.
In fact, spring and fall are among the best seasons to visit Irish gardens and castles but be prepared that the weather can be quite unpredictable during this period.
You can also visit Birr Castle in winter if you prefer exploring places without other people around and in a peaceful atmosphere.
What to Pack
Regardless of the season, check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
Even though this is no Connemara or Wicklow Mountains, dress in layers and keep a rain jacket in your daypack.
If you want to explore every corner Birr Castle has to offer, you'll be doing a lot of walking.
So make sure you have comfortable walking shoes and adequate clothing. Here you will find our complete Ireland packing list.
In summer, stay hydrated by bringing a water bottle with you.
If it's a sunny day, you should have sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself against the sun.
How to Get There
With its central location, the town of Birr is well-connected with the rest of Ireland.
Having said that, the easiest way to get to Birr is by car, though public transport is fairly reliable in this part of Ireland.
Read this guide if you plan to rent a car in Ireland.
Car
Birr Castle is located in the small town of Birr in County Offaly, about 150 kilometers west of Dublin and Dublin Airport.
To get there, you can choose between M7/N62 and M4/M6/N52 routes, depending on the current traffic.
Either way, the journey from Ireland's capital to Birr takes about two hours.
It takes less than an hour and a half to get to Birr Castle from Galway via M6.
From Limerick, follow M7 northeast and then turn onto N52; you should reach Birr in about an hour.
Cork is about a two-hour drive from Birr via M8/N62 route.
You will spend about 75 minutes on the road when departing from Kilkenny.
Driving in Ireland can be challenging at times, but Birr is connected with major highways and national roads, so getting there is very easy.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
Bus Eireann operates regular services from the major cities that are located near the town of Birr.
Also, Kearns Bus travels between Dublin and Birr each day.
You could also hop on the train connecting Dublin (Heuston Station) with Galway via Tullamore and take a taxi to Birr from there.
Parking
There is no parking available at Birr Castle, but you can find public parking beside Marian Hall and along the Wall of the Demesne.
The only downside was that it was paid parking.
The parking meter wasn't contactless, so we had to pay with cash. Hopefully, this will change in the near future.
Where to Stay
Despite the Birr's small size, you can find several good hotels in the town.
Birr is very compact, and all the hotels on our list are within walking distance from the castle.
County Offaly also boasts many family-owned bed and breakfasts within a short drive from Birr.
In order to get the best deal, book your hotel room ahead of schedule.
So here are our tips on the best hotels in Birr.
Budget | The Stables Townhouse - With friendly service, a fantastic location, stylish decor, charming rooms, and a full breakfast menu, this lovely bed and breakfast is one of Birr's hidden gems.
Budget | Dooly's Hotel - This traditional Irish accommodation has cozy rooms with comfy beds, a central location, welcoming staff, complimentary breakfast, and free private parking.
Mid-range | County Arms Hotel Birr - This 4-star classic Georgian house hotel boasts spacious rooms, an excellent location, great food, and stunning leisure facilities. Free private parking is available at the hotel.
Staying Safe
Birr Castle is a popular tourist attraction, so it's a safe place to visit, plus it's very family-friendly.
For the most part, common sense will help you stay safe in Ireland.
It's worth checking the weather forecast before setting off for a walk through Birr's trails.
Even though Birr Castle is not The Burren or the Glenveagh National Park, it's better to be prepared for any type of weather.
Make sure you have comfortable clothing and a quality rain jacket with you, especially in the off-season.
If you're traveling by car, don't leave your valuables inside your vehicle or store items out of sight.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Birr Castle Worth Visiting?
All in all, Birr Castle is definitely worth visiting when touring County Offaly, especially if you love huge parks, castles, and stories about human creative genius.
Besides, Birr is one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland.
There is one really important thing that must be pointed out.
The biggest downside is that guided castle tours are unavailable outside the peak season, which can be a bit disappointing, especially if you're unaware of it.
Other than that, Birr Castle features magnificent gardens, a small but interesting science center, and one giant telescope.
The town of Birr has a central location and is easily accessible from Dublin, Galway, and Limerick.
Simply put, it's a great stop and addition to your Ireland road trip itinerary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
