Plan Your Visit
We look forward to welcoming you to Birr Castle Demesne. Here, you'll find key details for your visit, along with guidelines to enhance your experience. We're open 362 days a year from 09:00, with closing times varying by daylight. In case of hazardous weather, we may close on short notice for safety reasons.
General Admission Ticket
General Admission tickets give you access to the demesne during opening hours and include the following:
* The suspension bridge is not open to the public for health & safety reasons. From time to time we will open under restricted access.
The Castle
The Castle is still a private family home, and therefore, access to the interior is not included in general admission tickets.
Seasonal guided tours of the interior of the Castle take place each year from Mid-May to August. Pre-booking is required and castle tours are only suitable for children 12 and above.
Guided Tours
We are pleased to offer guided discovery tours for groups of 15 or more, as well as for special interest groups. Additionally, we occasionally host seasonal tours for the public.
For more information on guided tours, please email reception@birrcastle.com
Playground
Nestled in the scenic grounds of Birr Castle Demesne, our playground is a vibrant space for family fun. Designed for children of all ages, it features interactive equipment like climbing frames and slides to inspire creativity and activity.
Parents can relax at nearby picnic tables while keeping an eye on the fun. For safety, children must be supervised at all times, and to maintain the tranquil setting, dogs are not allowed. The playground is the perfect starting point for a day of family adventures.
Important Update: Ireland’s tallest treehouse will remain closed until Spring 2026 for essential maintenance and design improvements to enhance inclusivity and play value. The rest of the playground remains open. Thank you for your continued support!
Some Golden Rules
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times during their visit.
You are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful locations on site. However, please note that alcohol is not permitted.
We kindly ask that all dog owners please follow the Dog Act and Dog Owners Responsibilities Policy whilst visiting.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
- Dogs are not allowed in the playground.
- Clean up after your dog (dog poop bags are available at reception)
Please note we cannot permit the below list due to the health and safety reasons:
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No bikes
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No barbecuing or naked flames are permitted within the Demesne.
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No drones
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No electric mode of transport other than an official mobility vehicle.
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No scooters
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No footballs or ball games of any sort
The Courtyard Café
Opening Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 09.30-16.30
For any general or group enquiries, please contact Sean via:
Accessibility
Birr Castle Demesne is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all visitors, with a focus on accessibility. The Demesne features well-maintained paths that allow easy access to key areas. Wheelchair-friendly routes are available, ensuring that visitors with mobility challenges can explore much of the site comfortably. There is also a certified wheelchair lift that takes visitors from ground level to the first floor of the Science Centre, offering a seamless way to explore each gallery. Additionally, accessible parking spaces can be found in the Marian Hall car park located directly across from our entrance.
Getting Here
By Car
Please use the google map for direct direction as well as our postal code, R42 VO27. This will take you directly to our pedestrian entrance.
Car parking is available in the public car park located across from our main entrance and there is also public street parking. This is a pay and display car park (coin only).
There is NO car parking within Birr Castle Demesne.
Car Charging Points: there is one car charging point in Marian Hall car park and other charging points can be found at Tesco car park.
By Train
The nearest train station to Birr is located in Tullamore and a second can be found in Portlaoise, both will require a bus or taxi to take you from the train station to Birr.
By Bus
Local Link: Portlaoise – Birr, Birr - Portlaoise
Kearns Bus: Tullamore – Birr, Birr – Tullamore
Selection of other helpful links below:
https://kearnstransport.com/birr-tullamore/
https://locallinklaoisoffaly.ie/timetable/
https://www.buseireann.ie/