May
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Sunday 27 May 2012
Birr Castle Concert - 'From Carolan to Piaf'
Music of Ireland and France in a Great Irish House,
Dundalk Institute of Technology
The Ensemble will provide music on Harp, Violin, Whistle/Flute, Accordian, Mandolin with Solo Soprano, Baritone, Tenor and Bass.
Gates open 18.30hrs
Concert starts 19.00hrs
Single tickets: €30
Pairs of tickets: €55
To include wine and drinks before the concert and during the interval.
Evening dress encouraged.
Booking essential, tickets available from:
The Estate Office: 05791 20056
estate@birrcastle.com
Please note this concert takes place in Birr Castle and provides a wonderful opportunity to view some of the finest rooms in the castle, including the saloon, dining room & yellow drawing room.
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July
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Sunday July 22
Birr Castle, Harp Concert
In this historic concert, the splendid Portable Irish Harp made in 1821 for Lady Alicia Parsons is once again heard. Harpist Nancy Hurrell performs harp music from the period, re-creating the atmosphere of the early nineteenth century music room. The harp, made by John Egan, had been commissioned by Sir Laurence Parsons (1791-1841) for his daughter to play in the newly built Gothic music saloon at Birr Castle.
A pre-concert talk, “John Egan and the Irish Harp Revival,” will be presented by Nancy Hurrell.
NANCY HURRELL is a harpist and harp historian, presenting concerts, workshops and lectures across the US, Canada, Ireland and Britain. As a harp consultant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, she presents gallery talks and performs on harps in the collection. Nancy has lectured on Egan at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin (2008) and at the ‘First International Conference on Irish Music’ at the University of Durham in England (2010). Classically trained on the pedal harp, Nancy has a Masters Degree in Harp Performance, and she is a faculty member of The Boston Conservatory. In Boston, Nancy has performed for visiting dignitaries and royalty, including Prince Edward and Princess Cristina of Spain.
Gates open 19.00hrs
Concert starts 19.30hrs
Single tickets: €30
Pairs of tickets: €55
To include wine and drinks before the concert and during the interval.
Evening dress encouraged
Booking essential, tickets purchased from:
The Estate Office: 05791 20056
estate@birrcastle.com
Please note this concert takes place in Birr Castle and provides a wonderful opportunity to view some of the finest rooms in the castle, insluding the saloon, dining room & yellow drawing room.
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August
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Tuesday 7 August
King Lear - Outdoor Theatre
As part of the 44th Annual Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival, this incredible outdoor theatre production will take place on the front lawn of Birr Castle and will be performed by the TNT Theatre Company.
King Lear is a reworking of the mediaeval fairy tale of the King who in order to divide his kingdom between his three daughters asks them to tell him how much they love him. The only truthful daughter, as well as the most loving one, is the one whose answer he misunderstands and consequently disowns. The King divides his land between his two eldest, mercenary daughters who have no care for their father once he leaves them to rule.
The magnificent but unwieldy text is streamlined and sharply focussed on the parallel lives of the Lear and Gloucester families to create a unique theatrical event that blends live music, spectacular imagery and thrilling action. The actors themselves play cello, violin, percussion and sing five part harmony by Thomas Johnson in a medieval tradition , which perfectly compliments the plays’ morbid and ironic themes. This is Shakespeare at its best.
Tickets: €15 per person
Gates open at 6.15pm. Performance begins at 7pm
There is an interval of 20mins. Refreshments will be available.
For Tickets, please contact us on: Tel: 057-91-20336
Or if you prefer, call into the Reception area at Birr Castle Demesne.
Friday 3 - Friday 10
44th Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
Vintage parade, arts & craft market, olde time fair, visual arts, street theatre, pub entertainment, donkey derby, live music fireworks and more......all taking place in the Georgian heritage town of Birr.
For more details go to: http://www.birrvintageweek.com
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 August
Irish Game and Country Fair
Birr Castle Demesne
The best of country sports & rural living. Admission applies.
For further details go to: http://www.irishgameandcountryfair.com
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September
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Monday 24 - Sunday 30 September
42nd Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships, sponsored by Shannon Development
It is anticipated that over 35 balloons will attend this years event which is sponsored by Shannon Development, making it one of the biggest ballooning occasions ever to take place in Ireland and it will attract participants from all over the world. The Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships is also the longest running balloon meet in the world, a fantastic achievement considering that at all times it has been run on a voluntary basis.
Please note that normal admission to Birr Castle Demesne applies between 9am and 5pm during the 42nd Irish Balloon Championships.
After 5pm admission is complimentary to the Gardens in order to allow as many visitors as possible to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of the Hot Air Balloons.
Hopefully balloons will take flight from around 6pm each evening; however, ballooning is extremely weather dependant so please check with us before travelling.
Ireland’s Historic Science Centre will close at 5pm during the Championships.
For further information, please contact:
Birr Castle Demesne or Joseph Leahy, Meet Director
Tel: 05791 20336 E-mail: bookings@birrcastle.com or joseph@newgatequikpick.com
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October
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Saturday 27 October - Sunday 4 November
Kids go FREE for Half Term!
Get out and about this half term and enjoy the beautiful autumnal colours at Birr Castle Demesne. We have Free Scavenger Hunts for families which are educational and fun for everyone as well as our Family Play area.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Normal adult admission applies.
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Wednesday 31:
Halloween in the Haunted Castle & Gardens
Experience thrills and chills at Birr Castle Demesne’s annual Halloween Night. Children and their parents will Trick-or-Treat in the ghostly gardens, whilst encountering wicked witches, deadly ghouls and more. They will even knock at the Castle door to receive a special treat!
Booking is essential. Admission applies. This is an event suitable for families with children 10 years and younger.
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December
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Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 &
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16:
Santa and his Elves invite you to visit Birr's Magical Castle
Tiptoe up the steps of the Castle, push open the door and meet the man himself as he relaxes beside a great log fire waiting to greet all the good little boys and girls.
Your own special Elf will guide you on your trip and your first stop will be to meet Mrs. Claus in the magical Winter Garden who will have a special chocolate treat for all the children, followed by your meeting with Santa Claus who will have a special gift for each child.
There will be a host of colourful characters and other surprises along the way to thrill and delight everyone! Don’t forget to post your letter to the North Pole in our special Post Box and enjoy face painting fun in the Courtyard Cafe.
For further information or to make a booking, please contact (057) 9120336 between 9am and 6pm until 31 October and from 10am and 4pm from 1 November.
Booking is essential and places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Child: €20
Adult €5
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