Birr

Birr is a town in County Offaly featuring Georgian architecture that dominates Emmet Square and the tree-lined Oxmantown Mall. The buildings display characteristic fanlight windows and organized street layouts that create a cohesive townscape.

The Parsons family received the estate in 1620 and held Birr Castle for fourteen generations, giving the town the name Parsonstown until 1899. This extended ownership shaped the place's development and character.

The name Birr reflects the Parsons family's centuries-long influence on the town and castle. Georgian architecture with distinctive fanlight windows throughout the streets shows how this connection shaped the community's visual identity.

Visitors can explore the town through two walking routes starting at Emmet Square, the Birr Fan Trail and the Riverbank Walk. Both paths are easy to navigate and allow you to take in the architecture and surroundings at your own pace.

The Leviathan telescope at Birr Castle held the title of world's largest for 75 years and played a major role in mapping the moon's surface. This astronomical instrument stands as a remarkable technical achievement in the history of science.

Location: County Offaly

Elevation above the sea: 75 m

Website: http://offaly.ie/yourcouncil/birrtc.asp

GPS coordinates: 53.09140,-7.91330

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:27