Birr Castle is one of Ireland's most unique historic estates, combining medieval architecture, beautiful gardens and scientific history. The current castle developed over centuries and remains the home of the Parsons family.
Birr Castle is one of Ireland's most unique historic estates, combining medieval architecture, beautiful gardens and scientific history. The current castle developed over centuries and remains the home of the Parsons family. While the castle itself is privately occupied, visitors can explore the magnificent gardens, which contain one of the world's great historic telescopes and extensive woodland walks. Birr demonstrates that Irish castles are not only about battles and sieges — many became centres of learning, innovation and landscape design.