Birr is gearing up for 'the very best' of community and celebration with 57th Vintage Week festival

THIS year's Vintage Week brochure, for the 57th iteration of the famous and much-loved festival, was officially launched in Dooly's Hotel on Thursday evening July 3rd.
Caroline Conway, Chairperson of the festival committee, welcomed everyone to the launch in the ballroom of the hotel and warmly thanked the staff of the Hotel for making such a big effort with the drinks and the canapés for the launch. She said the wine, the soft drinks, the cocktails and the delicious canapés were all very well done and all greatly appreciated.
There's a positive vibe in Dooly's Hotel these days, a vibe which augurs well for the future. Many in Birr are glad that the Hotel wasn't changed to an alternate use and had found a new owner who wanted to keep it as a hotel. The Chairperson said the hotel is “an important institution” and she was delighted to see it doing well.
She thanked all the sponsors of the festival, including the Major Sponsors who were the Birr publicans and Grant Engineering.
“We’re incredibly excited to unveil this year’s programme, which brings together the very best of creativity, community, and celebration. As we count down to August, we’re inviting food and craft vendors, parade participants, and volunteers to get involved and be part of the festival magic. Whether you're joining as a visitor or taking part behind the scenes, there’s a role for everyone. All the information you need is available on our website.”
She said she had recently been given a Vintage Week brochure from 1978. “Quite a lot of the events in the 1978 brochure are still with us; including the Vintage Parade, Singing Pubs, sports club antics, the Antiques Fair at the County Arms, and the Classic Car Treasure Hunt. Of course there has been lots of change and innovation over the years as well, with many great ideas coming and going.” One of the regrettable changes is the diminishment in popularity of holding a Ball or a Dance. “We tried to reboot the idea of a Ball for our 50th anniversary but unfortunately it wasn't that well supported. We also had to retire the legendary Barman's Race and Donkey Derby. Now, however, we have a lot more family-friendly and children's events.”
The Chairperson pointed out that the Fireworks will be in a different location this year. “We weren't able to find a suitable location this year in the town. We eventually found a suitable location in Crinkle, the Barracks Field, so that's where the fireworks will be held.”
Caroline added that she's been told that, unfortunately, the road works on Market Square won't be finished in time for the festival. She urged people watching the Parade to watch it in Green Street instead of Market Square.
She highlighted a number of events including an exciting project called Alphabet Soup (funded by Creative Ireland), which will be a playful and imaginative look at the typography and shop signs of Birr. Alphabet Soup will explore the town's unique lettering styles and reinvent them in fresh, creative ways. Leading the project is Naomi McArdle, with a special bit of help from her father – Birr's own sign writer – alongside artist Andrea Moore. Together they'll be working with both primary school children and adults to dive into the art of letters, signs, and local visual history. “Expect creativity, colour and a celebration of Birr's visual character like never before!” said the Chair.
Looking through the new, beautifully produced brochure it's obvious that this year's Vintage Week is going to be yet another special festival. The brochure is teeming with lots of colourful and fun-sounding events.
There were many things which caught this journalist's eye on skimming through the brochure and would be worth a look.
On Friday August 1st, the first day of the festival, there's a Celebration of Italian Movie scores in Birr Theatre, starting at 8pm. Soprano, piano, violin, cello and viola will perform famous melodies from Cinema Paradiso, The Godfather and Life is Beautiful.
The official launch of the Visual Arts Trail is taking place at 7pm in Oxmantown National School on Friday August 1st. The trail is a massively important part of the festival. It winds through the town to the Old Cinema on Brendan Street, addressing the question: What signs, symbols and words shape our world?
The Food and Craft Market on Green Street was excellent last year and makes a welcome return from 11am to 5pm on Saturday August 2nd. It was a very popular day with families as they rambled through stalls featuring delicious food, different creations by local artists and performances by buskers.
Another family friendly event on the same day is the Birr Rugby Club Family Fun Day starting with Children's Tag Rugby at 11am and concluding with a duck race featuring 1,500 ducks at 6pm.
Metamorphosis on the same day, at 9.30pm, in Birr Castle Courtyard will be an unforgettable spectacle celebrating the rewilding of our boglands.
On Monday August 4th the Flea Circus will be showing in the Courthouse Yard from 2pm. Jay Ryan's highly trained tiny fleas will display “feats of astonishing bravery and breathtaking beauty.”
The same day also features a major event called “Grooves United – A Day of Cultural Dance” in Birr Theatre, featuring Indian Hip Hop and Salsa workshops and concluding at 7pm with Grooves United Dance Show, which will be a fabulous display of local dance talents from all backgrounds celebrating Body Movement, followed by a wonderful multicultural and international show of a dance of excellence.
People are also being invited to participate in a documentary about Melba's Nite Club which closed down recently. The documentary makers want to record people's memories about the Club.
Another highly recommended event will be the hilarious “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” in Birr Castle Courtyard at 7.30pm on Monday August 4th.
The programme is vast and I've mentioned just a small number of the events. Brochures are widely available around the town. Grab a copy and start planning!
Emma Hanley, Marketing & Audience Development Manager in the organising committee, told the Tribune after the launch of the brochure that Birr “is the vibrant heart of Offaly and it will beat once again this summer with the return of Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival. Taking place from August 1st-9th, the festival promises nine days filled with imagination, artistry and celebration. Visitors can expect the thrilling blend of tradition and innovation which has become the hallmark of the festival.
“This year, the programme will shine a spotlight on Birr’s rich artistic life, with a full Visual Arts Trail, live performances at the iconic Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, events at Birr Castle, and community-led installations and happenings throughout the town. The Courthouse Yard will be transformed into a welcoming and inclusive space featuring a Sensory Tent and a wide variety of drop-in creative activities for all ages and abilities. Whether you’re looking for a quiet moment or some hands-on fun, there’s something for everyone.
“Birr Castle Courtyard will host two unforgettable evenings of enchanting open-air performance. On Saturday August 2nd, 'Metamorphosis' will celebrate Ireland’s rewilding boglands with a magical spectacle that combines original music by Fiona Linane (inspired by Eileen Casey’s poetry), street theatre by Cal Y Canto, soprano Maria Matthews, fire artist Eddie Bulfin, and Birr Youth Theatre. Enhanced by stunning projections, it promises an evening of music, fire, and light like no other, supported by the Arts Council Spectacle Award.
“Then, on Monday August 4th, PASOS Theatre Company presents 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),' a madcap romp through all 37 of the Bard’s plays in one wildly entertaining show. Performed by three eccentric actors in tights, this fast-paced production is packed with irreverent humour and theatrical chaos, making it perfect fun for the whole family.”
For full programme details and bookings, visit www.birrvintageweek.com. For phone enquiries, contact the Box Office at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on (057) 912 2911 (Monday–Friday, 1pm–5.30pm).
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Offaly Local Development Company, Offaly County Council, Creative Ireland, Creative Communities, Birr Municipal District, and the local business community.