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
* The suspension bridge is not open to the public for health & safety reasons. From time to time we will open under restricted access.
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.
Parts of the Treehouse will be closed for renovations. The treehouse is now 10 years old and structure works are required.
For now, we invite guests to explore the demesne through the various trails on offer and for the younger visitors to enjoy the other play areas fully open and operational.
Thank you for understanding.
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 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:
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No bikes -
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 and ball games of any sort
The Courtyard Café
Why not enjoy a cup of tea/coffee with a heart-warming sweet treat!
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 life 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.
We know we have more work to do in this area and this will be a key focus moving forward.
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/