Plan Your Visit
We look forward to welcoming you to Birr Castle Demesne, on this page you will find some information on what you can expect during you visit to our remarkable destination along with a few golden guidelines that will help make your visit one to remember. We are open 362 days a year and open each morning at 09:00, closing times vary depending on daylight hours. From time to time due to high winds other dangerous weather conditions we may need to close at short notice for the health and safety of our visitors and our team.
General Admission Ticket
- 120 Acres of Parklands and Gardens.
- Plant collection of over 5000 species.
- Visit our large water turbine, located in the arrival courtyard.
- The Suspension Bridge* built c.1820 and recently restored.
- Multitude of trails varying from nature, astronomy and engineering.
- The Courtyard Cafe open on weekends from 10:00.
- 10km of walks, with 2 Rivers, a lake and waterfall.
- Playground area with swing & slide area.
- Visit the Lunar Heat Machine located in Gallery 5 of Ireland’s Historic Science Centre.
- Visit St Brendan’s well dating back to the 6th Century, the oldest structure here on the demesne and still full of spring water.
- Informative Visitor Guide.
- The beautiful formal gardens and castle terraces.
- Admire the Great Leviathan Telescope.
- Visit the I-LOFAR site.
- Ramble around Ireland’s Historic Science Centre over 7-Galleries, welcome video, and Hologram and full to the rafters of interesting artefacts used by the family during their time of discovery.
- The Gift Shop.
* 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 at Birr Castle Demesne is still a private family home, there is no access within the Castle itself.
There are seasonal guided tours of the interior of the Castle which take place May to August each year, pre booking is required and only suitable for children 12 and above.
Guided Tours
We are happy to offer guided discovery tours for groups of 15 and above and also for special interest groups and from time to time we run seasonal tours.
For more information on guided tours, please email reception@birrcastle.com
Playground
The playground at Birr Castle Demesne is home to play equipment for children of all ages and each child can explore and work within their own ability. The wonderful treehouse built in 2013 stands tall and is suitable for children 6 years and above. All children must be supervised at all times within the playground and unfortunately no dogs are allowed in this space. In 2019 a further investment into new additional KOMPAN play equipment was added adding more play time and exploration for the children. There are picnic tables for use as well as the playground bran offer an opportunity to rest and re-fuel before the next adventure during your time on the demesne.
Ireland’s tallest treehouse will close on 16th 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.
Some Golden Rules
Please supervise children up to the age of 18, they must be always accompanied by an adult during their visit.
You are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy many beautiful locations on site, no alcohol is permitted.
Picnics can also be pre booked in our café prior to arrival. Contact the café on 087 2373996, open from 10 am daily.
We are all dog lovers here at Birr Castle Demesne, however please adhere to the rule of the Dog Act and the Dog Owners Responsibilities Policy while visiting, dogs must be on a lead at all times. Dogs are not permitted in the playground and please clean up after your dog.
Please note we cannot permit the below list due to the health and safety reasons:
- No bikes
- No barbecuing or naked flames are permitted within the Demesne.
- No drones
- No electric mode of transport other than an official mobility vehicle.
- No scooters
- No footballs and ball games of any sort
The Courtyard Café
Why not enjoy a cup of tea/coffee with a heart-warming sweet treat!
Opening Hours
Saturdays & sundays from 10.00
Phone
Accessibility
Most paths are accessible by wheelchair and/or a mobility vehicle, we have some hills on sites and areas with steps which are highlighted on the visitor map. We have invested on the path surfaces however this is an ongoing project.
Within our Historic Science Centre, we do have a certified wheelchair lift which will take visitors to the first floor.
In recent years we have used a dyslexia friendly font in all our brochures and hope this helps in some little way.
The demesne is spread over 120 acres and there are many quiet areas to stop, reflect and enjoy a little corner of this remarkable location.
Getting Here
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 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.
The nearest train station to Birr town is the one at Tullamore and a second can be found in Portlaoise, both will require a bus or Taxi to take you to Birr town.
https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/
Bus Options:
Birr – Portlaoise, Portlaoise – Birr
Please look at carefully, Tullamore – Birr, Birr – Tullamore.
https://kearnstransport.com/birr-tullamore/