Fun Filled Memory Making Day Out For All Who Visit
‘Through the Eyepiece’ – Mary Ward Event
Join Caroline Conway as she delves into the life of Mary Ward and her passion for microscopy. Based on the macro photography of Tina Claffey, and the early pioneering work of Mary Ward and her book “Sketches with the Microscope”, we will bring her view into the 21st century with modern day microscopes to examine and draw the flora and fauna that Mary was looking at in the 19th century.
This 2-hour workshop is sure to spark the interests of budding wildlife enthusiasts, both young and old, who want to see what life is like under the microscope!
For more information on Mary Ward, please click here
Date: 17th June
Time: 12.00
Location: The Pavilion
Price:
€12 per adult
€7 per child
Limited spacing, pre-booking essential
*Ticket includes general access to the Demesne before and/or after the workshop
“Bee Inspired”
The Importance of our Native Irish Honey Bee
Come and join John Greenaway and John Thorp of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society, (NIHBS), as they delve into the importance of the Native Irish Honey Bee in our environment and how imperative their Conservation is.
The Native Irish Honey Bee Society was established in 2012 by a group of beekeepers who wished to support the various strains of the native Irish honey bee throughout the country. This is a cross-border organisation, open to all, that consists of representatives from all corners of the island of Ireland.
Their aim of promoting the conservation, study, improvement and reintroduction of the native Irish honey bees is renowned throughout the island of Ireland.
On Saturday June 24th, both John Greenaway & John Thorp will be based in the pavilion beside our wildflower meadow, which is home to an array of biodiversity.
Join the conversation on how we, as an island, can help understand and protect our native Irish honey bees.
For more information on the Native Irish Honey Bee Society, click here
Date: 24th June
Location: The Pavillion
Time: 12.00-16.00
Price: Included with General Admission!
Vintage Picnic 2023
Come enjoy the Vintage Picnic at Birr Castle Demesne as part of 55th Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival 2023 on Friday 4 August!!
Lay down your picnic blankets and spread out your own vintage-style picnic. Try your hand at a game of Garden Croquet or Skittles. A fun-filled memory-making day out for all. Includes time to explore the 120 acres of parkland and gardens, the Great Telescope, and the Treehouse Adventure Playground.
Prizes on the day for Best Looking Vintage Themed Picnic, Best Dressed Vintage Family and more!
The event will start at 12:30 and finish around 15:00.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
– Pre-booking is essential
– No BBQ/Fires
– Dogs must be kept on a lead
– No bikes/balls/hurls or drones
– Please note there is a walk of around 600 meters from the car park to the picnic site
– Standard booking T&Cs apply
If you don’t want to pack a picnic yourself, you can also pre-book your picnic for collection from our café at courtyardcafebcd@gmail.com, or your favourite café in Birr Town
Free for Friends of Birr Castle Demesne – please see latest Friends Newsletter or ask at reception.
The Enchanted Island
Wednesday 9 August
The Enchanted Island is a promenade play that takes us on the legendary vanishing Island Hy-Brazil and invites you for a walk with the fairies.
The play extends an invitation to explore the effects of climate change in places near the ocean through playful sadness.
The audience walks within audio landscapes where merfolk sip seaweed tea inside eerie underwater buildings, Seagull- John cooks white birds over trash fires, and dreams and magic appear in multiple forms to fight our lack of belief in their existence.
Castle Tour with General Admission
13 May – 9 September 2023
Guided tours of the interior of Birr Castle will run Monday to Saturday throughout May, June, July & August, with tours running at 10:00, 11:30 & 13:00 daily.
On your tour of the castle, your guide will lead you through a number of beautiful rooms while enlightening you on the history, the family, key pieces of furniture, and the collection of treasures within the rooms.
Pre-booking is essential for castle tours, and tours are suitable for age 12 upwards.
Guided Discovery Tour with General Admission
3rd June to 26th August 2023
Every Saturday @ 12:00
Castle interiors not included. Pre-booking is highly recommended, click on the link below and choose your preferred Friday or Saturday date and the time and options will appear. Please scroll down to your ticket option of Guided Discovery Tours.
Wild Connections Summer Camps
Our fun Wild Connection camps will let your kids connect with nature in the great outdoors under the guidance of our experienced educational team.
Our biodiversity summer camps will take place over two separate weeks in July where each week is caterered for different age ranges.
Week 1: 3 – 7 July
5 to 7 year olds
Week 2: 10 -14 July (SOLD OUT)
8 to 10 year olds
From 10.00-14.00 each day.
Suitable for children of specified age range above.
The different age ranges per week is set to tailor for the activities of each week. Limited spaces per camp. Unfortunately, this camp is not suitable for children with limited mobility.
Sample activities include:
Pond Dipping, Bird Watching, Nature Crafts, Wellness Walk, Flora Trail and more!
Lunch/break times include the schedule.
All children must bring their own packed lunch and notify, at the time of booking, of any allergies or medical conditions that could infringe on the ability to take part in the activities. Please dress for the outdoors and re-apply sun lotion to children in advance of the workshops.
Cost: €75 per child (10% discount to Friends)
(10% discount to Friends with valid membership, discount code has been sent out in the latest Friends Newsletter or alternatively ask at reception for the code.
Please note if you book at full price discount cannot be applied later.
The Peatlands Immersive Experience
From Mid-September until October 2023, join us for an Immersive Experience in our Copper Tree Gallery featuring an exhibition from artists including Birr native Tina Claffey.
Admission to the Experience will be FREE, however general admission rates apply to those wishing to visit the gardens of Birr Castle.
More details to follow!