One of the top 10 attractions in Ireland
As voted in the Irish Independent's Reader Travel Awards 2022 & 2023
November:
Gardens & Science Centre: 09.00 - 16.30
Café : Closed
Castle : Closed
Welcome to Birr Castle Demesne
Set in the heritage town of Birr, Birr Castle Demesne spans 120 acres of stunning parklands and gardens, featuring over 5,000 species of trees and plants, wildlife, and scenic trails along rivers and waterfalls. Discover the Great Telescope, the Lunar Heat Machine, one of the world’s oldest darkrooms, welcome videos, a playground, and Ireland's Historic Science Centre.
Explore the legacy of the Parsons family, renowned for their pioneering work in science, engineering, and astronomy over 400 years. Suitable for nature lovers, families, photographers, scientists, and history enthusiasts.
Ireland’s Tallest Treehouse will close on 16 September 2024 until Late Spring 2025 for full maintenance and additional upgraded design detail. For over 11 years the treehouse has provided a lot of joy and adventure for so many children. We look forward to improving the treehouse experience so that families can continue to enjoy making new memories for years to come. While the treehouse is closed the rest of the playground will remain fully open for our visitors and Friends. Thank you for your continued support.
Set in the heritage town of Birr, Birr Castle Demesne spans 120 acres of stunning parklands and gardens, featuring over 5,000 species of trees and plants, wildlife, and scenic trails along rivers and waterfalls. Discover the Great Telescope, the Lunar Heat Machine, one of the world’s oldest darkrooms, welcome videos, a playground, and Ireland's Historic Science Centre.
Key Attractions
Birr Castle Demesne is not just a historic landmark; it is a living testament to Ireland's cultural and scientific heritage. Whether exploring the castle's rich history, marveling at the wonders of the universe, or simply basking in the serenity of the gardens, visitors are sure to be captivated by the allure of this remarkable Demesne.
The Science Centre
The Historic Science Centre is very much worth a visit, the remarkable story of this unique site and family is revealed through the wonders of early photography, engineering and astronomy.
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Parklands and Gardens
The gardens are home to an abundance of rare plants, collected by the Earls of Rosse on their travels around the world over the last 150 years
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The Great Telescope
This Reflecting telescope remained the largest in the world for over 70 years. This ‘leviathan’ as it is named, remains in the centre of the Demesne as Ireland’s greatest scientific wonder and represents a masterpiece of human creative genius.
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The Castle
The castle as you see it today has been home to the Parsons family for over 400 years and during this time it has been added onto and each generation has made their mark
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Where Family Fun Meets Nature, Science & History!
The award-winning gardens of Birr Castle Demesne in Ireland are rich in amazing feats of science and engineering, as well as rare trees, flowers, wonderful wildlife, and walks along peaceful rivers and the lake. Celebrating 400 years in 2021, this remarkable family has resided at the romantic and inspirational setting of Birr Castle Demesne, now home to the 7th Earl of Rosse. The Parsons family invites you to explore one of the most extraordinary places in Ireland, created over generations as an environmental and scientific time capsule.
What's Happening
Become A Friend of Birr Castle Demesne
By becoming a friend of Birr Castle Demesne, you are helping to preserve one of Ireland’s most extraordinary places. Created over 400 years, Birr Castle Demesne is an environmental and scientific time capsule, whilst continuing to live, breath and evolve into a place of beauty and inspiration.
Friends memberships are available for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. We welcome individual and family memberships.
Membership benefits:
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Gift Card
Gift Cards can be used at Birr Castle Demesne for the purchase of Friends Membership, General Admission Tickets, Guided Tours and towards items in our Gift Shop.
Did You Know?
Discover intriguing facts and stories in our 'Did You Know?' unraveling hidden gems and enriching your knowledge journey.
3-Foot Telescope
Before building the Great Leviathan, the Third Earl of Rosse built a 3-foot (0.9m) telescope in 1839...
The beautiful Magnolia delavayi
The beautiful Magnolia delavayi located along the Castle’s terraces during the months of September and October...
The Formal Gardens
The Formal Gardens were created by the 6th Countess of Rosse Anne Messel. Lady Rosse designed...
Giant Redwood
Our Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) which can be found at the centre of the Formal Gardens...
Charles Parsons
The youngest son of the Third Earl, Charles Parsons was the inventor of the Marine Steam Turbine...
Wisteria
Our Wisteria is over 100 years old and blooms each year from mid May in the Formal Gardens...
Irelands Historic Science Centre
The science story is revealed through the wonders of early photography, engineering and astronomy with a special emphasis on the brilliant design and assembly of the world famous Great Leviathan Telescope.
As you visit the Historic Science Centre you will discover astronomical instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equipment used by the Third and Fourth Earls and Mary, Countess of Rosse, in the middle and late 1800s.
Also on display is electrical and engineering equipment originally belonging to Charles Parsons and used in his experiments as well as a large area devoted to the botanical work carried out in the Demesne.
