LOETB to replace popular outdoor activities in Birr OEC with cycling centre

BIRR Outdoor Education Centre is to replace its popular outdoor activities with a cycling-oriented programme and agriculture courses.
The news has been met with a mixed reaction, with many people strongly opposed to the change in use.
Deputy John Clendennen said there are positives in this restructuring of the Centre. “I am aware of local concerns,” he stated last week, “regarding proposed changes at Birr Outdoor Education and Training aCentre and have engaged directly with LOETB on the matter.”
Deputy Clendennen remarked that LOETB had confirmed to him that, due to declining demand for some outdoor activities, the Centre will be piloted over the next 12 months as Ireland’s national centre for cycling. “Programmes will focus on mountain biking, leisure cycling and cycle safety for school students,” he pointed out, “utilising the superb amenities of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Lough Boora Parklands and the Greenways of the Midlands.”
He said this aligns with the regional tourism strategy and the long-term ambition to “position Offaly as a premier international cycling destination, with Birr as a key destination town.”
The Deputy added that LOETB also plans to introduce agriculture-related training at the Centre, complementing existing FET (Further Education and Training) provision on Townsend Street and strengthening further education opportunities locally.
“I will continue to engage closely with LOETB to ensure this transition delivers positive outcomes for Birr, students and the wider community.”
A former outdoor instructor, who worked at Birr OEC for a number of years, and who wished to remain anonymous, told The Midland Tribune that she was very disappointed to hear the news. She said each year she sends her children to the centre's annual summer camps but was recently told that the summer camp will not be held this year. She was also told that all the activities regularly held over many years (canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, gorge walking, hillwalking) will now no longer be held.
“I've been told they have started dismantling the dormitories already,” she commented. “It's sad that Birr OEC's traditional activities are being wound down like this, where they are essentially removing all of the services they provide except for biking activities. It will mean a removal of a significant amount of services to an area that already has limited services for children and youth. Birr OEC has been the heart and soul of outdoor education in the midlands for 37 years.”
She pointed out that Birr OEC has a longer running season than many other OECs (running from March to September) and employs about 12 to 15 full-time outdoor instructors. “The Centre is a lot busier now than when I worked there. Now you often have to book six months ahead if you want to book a course. I've been told Teagasc will be operating agriculture-related courses in the main building while the cycling centre will be in a premises to the rear of the main building. This premises at the back is in fact a couple of sheds. Many of us cannot understand why this dismantling of the OEC's outdoor activities is taking place. It's definitely not a money thing as it is such a popular place and therefore is surely in a good place in terms of financial viability. When I worked there it was an amazing and rewarding place to work. For example, we worked with teenagers from inner city Dublin, we worked with the deaf. For outdoor instructors it offered a great career in outdoor education. I know a number of former outdoor instructors who started their working career in Birr OEC and learned a great deal there; so much so that they are now very successful outdoor instructors and have set up their own outdoor activities businesses.”
Birr OEC was opened in 1989 by County Offaly VEC (now Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board), and ever since has provided residential and non-residential outdoor education courses for all ages.
Deputy Clendennen's statement on his Facebook page received many responses from people who are saddened and angered to see the dismantling of the Centre's activities. “Which outdoor activities has there been a decline in interest?” was one response. “Transparency required for this statement. There is a cycling facility in Lough Boora. Not everyone is into mountain biking.”
“I've been teaching for 17 years,” wrote another. “I've been running a school outdoor adventure club with some other teachers during that time. We have used Birr OEC for many of our activities and trips. These include: accredited river kayaking courses, gorge walking days in Cadamstown, five week mountain biking courses, canadian canoeing in Portumna, rock climbing, hiking etc. I also book my Leaving Cert Biology ecology field trips with Birr OEC every year. These are excellent. Our TYs and other year groups regularly use Birr OEC as well. The centre is always busy and the staff are excellent. I don't believe the 'declining demand' statement is true at all.” (Below: A group gorge walking in Silver River Cadamstown).

“Hearing that Birr Outdoor Education and Training Centre may move toward a bike-only model is genuinely upsetting,” wrote another.
“I would strongly urge the ETB to reconsider,” wrote another, “and to engage properly with staff, schools and the local community before making a decision that could have long term consequences.”
“There is always a great atmosphere around the centre when you call in to book or are there with your group,” wrote another. “The closing of this facility would be a tremendous loss to the young people and the town as a whole.”
“I believe this information from the LOETB is wrong,” said Boylantravel Bus Hire. “There has been no decline in the demand for outdoor activities, the Birr outdoor education centre has three buses of their own and we cover a lot of their extra bus runs.”
“There is a lot of anger,” wrote another, “as to how these decisions appear to have been made without any reference to the positive impact the services offered by the Centre have had to date. Dismantling the great facilities which many young people have been lucky enough to benefit from is such a retrograde step for the area.”
The Midland Tribune contacted the LOETB head office in Portlaoise and Birr OEC for comment but at the time of going to press has received no reply.

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