Parklands At Birr Castle Demesne
The parklands at Birr Castle Demesne stretch over 120 acres, (50 Hectare) and within this space you will find a wonderful collection of rare plants and trees set in a landscape of a lake, two rivers and waterfalls. A total of 10KM of walking tracks allow you to explore the demesne to its fullest.
The landscape you see here today was due to great changes that took plan at the beginning of the 19th century. This saw the development of a small landscape park as a setting for the house (Castle), which at that time was transformed to a gothic style structure. A perimeter of trees were planted, and an extensive lawn created in front of the castle. This is also around the time the lake was formed.
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The 5th, 6th and 7th Earls of Rosse were all plant collectors and have created a special place full of more than 5,000 species of plants from all over the world. We believe the oldest tree on the demesne is the Carroll oak which was certainly planted before the Parsons family came here in 1620. In recent years we updated our Tree Trail to a wonderful and informative new tree tail of 5km long, covering 65 of our finest trees. Water is a prominent feature of the parklands. Cross over the enchanting waterfall above the gravity fed fountain in the Victorian Fernery, or follow the River Walk to the double bridges where the Little Brosna River and Camcor River meet. Take a stroll along the lake walk and discover Ireland’s oldest heronry that dates back almost 300 years!
Wildlife
The demesne is a very special place for biodiversity, it is its own little world of protected habitats, ecosystems, flora and fauna and is walled in on most sides whilst being well monitored and protected 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 the holes in the bank – again, they are shy but you may be lucky to see a flash of blue speed across the river. The chocolate brown birds with white bibs, Dippers, can be seen bobbing at the river’s edge seeking out food beneath the water. The red squirrel is our great success story as they are now back in good numbers and can often be seen throughout the Demesne.
Both of these rivers contain brown trout and the Camcor is known for its own special fish, the Croneen. They come up the river in late August to spawn. If you get the timing right, you can see the fish jumping at the waterfall near the suspension bridge.
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All areas are full of bird life, and it is a great delight for the bird watcher. You can often hear the croak of ravens and scream of swifts in the summer echo throughout the Demesne. The lake is full of mallard, moorhens and coot with little egrets an occasional visitor to the area. The small island within the lake boasts the largest heronry in Ireland with grey herons having been known to nest here for at least 300 years. The nests and young on the island can clearly be seen by the visitor from the lake walk especially around May each year. The park in front of the castle is a wonderful wildflower meadow which come into its full glory around mid-June. Later in the year you may find orchids in many places, our rarest one is the Green Flowered Helleborine which has been found in our wooded area.
Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing within the Parkland, a fallen tree near the fernery, with sunlight coming through the branches, birdsong and flowing water sounds in the background awaits you.
This is just one area in Birr Castle Demesne in which 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.
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Giants Grove will endure for the next 1000 years or more and gives the opportunity to individuals at home or abroad to donate towards having a share in this magnificent redwood forest in the heart of the Midlands. Giants Grove is designed to signify the giant place that our sons and daughters have in our hearts. Redwoods were geologically in the most recent ice age a native to Ireland. With the return to Ireland it symbolises the Global Concern for conservation. For more information on how to be part of this wonderful project simply visit www.giantsgrove.ie *Please note this project is not managed by Birr Castle Demesne.
and or email info@giantsgrove.ie