Parklands At Birr Castle Demesne
The parklands at Birr Castle Demesne stretch over 120 acres (50 hectares), and within this space, you will find a wonderful collection of rare plants and trees set in a landscape featuring a lake, two rivers, and waterfalls. A total of 10 km of walking tracks allow you to explore the demesne to its fullest.
The landscape you see here today is the result of significant changes that took place at the beginning of the 19th century. This period saw the development of a small landscape park as a setting for the house (castle), which was then transformed into a Gothic-style structure. A perimeter of trees was planted, and an extensive lawn was created in front of the castle. This is also around the time the lake was formed.
Wildlife
The demesne is a very special place for biodiversity; it is its own little world of protected habitats, ecosystems, flora, and fauna, walled in on most sides and well monitored to protect it from invasive species.
The occasional shy otter can be seen in the larger river, the Little Brosna. Sometimes, their ‘slides’—where they slip into the river—are obvious to the trained eye. Kingfishers nest in holes in the bank; though they are shy, you may be lucky enough to see a flash of blue speed across the river. The chocolate-brown birds with white bibs, known as Dippers, can be seen bobbing at the river’s edge, searching for food beneath the water. The red squirrel is one of our great success stories, now thriving in good numbers and often seen throughout the demesne.
Both of these rivers contain brown trout, and the Camcor is known for its special fish, the Croneen. They travel up the river in late August to spawn, and if you time it right, you might see the fish jumping at the waterfall near the suspension bridge.
Forest Bathing
Forest bathing within the parkland—a fallen tree near the fernery, with sunlight filtering through the branches, birdsong, and the sounds of flowing water in the background—awaits you.
This is just one area in Birr Castle Demesne where you can try your hand at the Japanese spiritual practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which literally means taking in the forest through our senses.
Over the past few years, many of us have become aware that spending mindful time in the woods is beneficial for both the body and the soul. The practice of shinrin-yoku, literally "forest bath," is understood in Japanese culture to be a critical factor in the fight against diseases of the mind and body, boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and aiding sleep.
Visit Birr Castle Demesne today and try the practice of forest bathing. Forest bathing is included with general admission tickets.
Giants Grove
On the occasion of Lord Rosse’s 80th birthday, Birr Castle and Crann Trees for Ireland are delighted to announce ambitious plans to create, through public participation, a grove of giant redwoods within the historic grounds of Birr Castle Demesne.
Giants Grove will be a legacy project for Lord Rosse and the Birr Castle Estate, having allocated the land to the project. Lord Rosse said “This project is very close to my heart. Our grandchildren, their grandchildren of Birr, Ireland and the world will benefit from this magnificent forest. These will be the biggest trees in Ireland.