Birr Castle

L-R. Lady Alicia Clements of Birr Castle, Dr Mick Guinee, recipient of the Irish Academy of Engineering’s Parsons Medal, and Seán Finlay, President of the Academy.

Top Engineering medal award takes place in Birr Castle

In an EU wide survey conducted in 2018, 84% of people were against the clocks changing on a bi-annual basis.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): It would be better if we didn't fall back

Pictured in Birr Civic Offices on Monday October 5 were Back L-R. Chris Brummell, LRA, Cllr Peter Ormond, Deputy John Clendennen, Cllr Eleanor Clendennen, Cllr Audrey Hennessy Hennessy, Paddy Kelly, Chairperson LRA. Front L-R Cllr Declan Harvey, Cathaoirleach Offaly County Council, His Excellency Nicolas Nihon, and Junior O’Callaghan, LRA.

Leinster Regiment Association calls for Birr twinning

Johnathan Carroll with his stainless steel sculpture of a greyhound.

Birr steel craftsman reaches national awards final

Curators Eleanor Aitken (left) and Lily Morgan, who have uncovered 400 items of clothing in Birr Castle so far.

Dresses by celebrated designer displayed for first time in Birr Castle

As part of the Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, Birr Historical Society launched
the reprint of “The Picture of Parsonstown” by Thomas Lalor Cooke. Margaret Hogan was the special guest who launched the book and Margaret is pictured here after the launch with her family, daughter Nuala, son -in-law Vincent, grandson Diarmuid and granddaughter Jane.
Pic: Rose Mannion.

Huge gathering turns out for reprint of very important Birr book

The great telescope at Birr Castle Demesne was the largest telescope in the world for over 70 years. It’s now part of an exciting new bid for UNESCO World Heritage Status, which would provide a massive boost if granted.

Birr Castle part of new push in UNESCO World Heritage Status bid

European Medical Students Choir Orchestra.

Thrilling August concert series to take place in Offaly

Members of the Coolderry Playground Committee (l. to r.) Barry Larkin, Nadine Connolly, Fergal Parlon, Councillor Peter Ormond, Mary Hoctor, Suzanne Cleary, Shane Hoctor, Donnacha Tynan, Leah Connolly. Missing from photo Brian Carroll.

Offaly village secures planning permission for children’s playground

Founding Board member Salters Sterling (centre) cuts the tape at the launch of Ireland’s Tallest Treehouse at Birr Castle Demesne last week. Also pictured l. to r. are Emma Nee Haslam, John O'Grady, General Manager of Birr Castle Demesne, John Carroll Chairman of the Birr Scientific & Heritage Foundation, and Professor Peter Gallagher. Photo: Alf Harvey.

Ireland's tallest Treehouse is officially reopened in Birr Castle

Birr Castle has reopened Ireland’s tallest Treehouse, one of Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions. The re-imagined Treehouse has a series of new features including an additional tower and a large tube slide. Local children are pictured enjoying Ireland's tallest Treehouse at Birr Castle.

Ireland’s tallest Tree House reopens in Offaly

Helen McEntee, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is joined by Minister Padraig O Donovan TD, Minister for Culture Communications and Sport and Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, TD to unveil a special stamp marking Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Offaly connection with An Post stamp launched to mark EU Presidency

Birr Castle circa 1820

A new study of Birr and Charleville castles to be launched

Offaly projects awarded €49,845 under Community Heritage Grant Scheme

The telecope in the grounds of Birr Castle

Offaly tourist attraction to benefit from funding announced on World Heritage D...

Margaret Edghill in the barn which she has converted into guest accommodation at Mount Briscoe

THE LONG READ: Offaly woman continues seven generations of nature friendly farmi...

Cuckoos are currently migrating from Sub-Saharan African and will soon arrive in Ireland.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): Much-loved birds soon to arrive from Africa Derek Fanning

The Birr Castle Easter Express

Enjoy a magical seasonal train experience in Offaly this Easter

Tina Claffey (pictured second from right) during the launch of the exhibition. Bo Scheeringa is second from left and Ann Derwin is in the centre.

Offaly woman invited by Irish Ambassador to display photos in Dutch exhibition

Cherry blossoms in Birr Castle Demesne. (Photo credit: Paul Moore).

OPINION (AN COLÚN): The beauty of Spring & Summer in Birr Castle Demesne

The great telescope at Birr Castle Demesne was the biggest in the world for over 70 years.

Offaly site on UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List can apply for extra funding

Science fiction writer HG Wells wondered if our Cosmos was one of many.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): Shining a critical light on class division and negative huma...

The statues of Plato (left) and Socrates at the Academy of Athens.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): Ascending a ladder to the beauty above

A map of Birr surrounded by seven Wind Farms and 72 turbines.

North Tipp residents anxiously awaiting Judicial Review decision on Wind Farm

Birr Library.

Offaly Library will be a Sanctuary for refugees and migrants

Birr Library.

Offaly Library will be a Sanctuary for refugees and migrants

Two drunken men stole bank cards from office at Birr Castle

Drunken men stole two bank cards from Birr Castle Estate Office
Drunken men stole two bank cards from Birr Castle Estate Office
Offaly Live Court Reporter

Fr Arnold Rosney, Brian Kennedy and Fr Tom Hogan pictured with Tom Hassett, Rena Haverty, Michael Hogan, Paddy Quigley, Tommy Lyndon, the five recipients who received the St Brendan’s Medals on Sunday

Five Offaly parishioners presented with the St Brendan's Medal

An artwork by William Blake depicting a monster devouring a man in the underworld.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): Halloween is a time for creative expression, fun and sombre ...

Birr Castle Demesne.

Planning permission sought for new development at iconic castle in Offaly

Professor Jim Browne, Tom Leahy, Professor Vincent Fusco CBE, Sean Finlay, IAE President, Lady Alicia Clements, Joe Harford, Sir John McCanny & Seamus McKeague at the presentation of Parsons Medal.

Parsons Medal presented at International STEAM Heritage Festival in Offaly

Birr Castle Demesne.

Planning permission sought for new development at iconic castle in Offaly

John O'Grady, the new General Manager of Birr Castle Demesne.

New General Manager with extensive experience appointed at estate in Offaly

The new Birr Castle entrance, pictured last week. It was due to open in Autumn 2023 but, a year later, nothing has happened.

New Birr Castle entrance scheduled to open in near future

An Autumn scene in Tollymore Forest Park, County Down.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): Autumn reminds us of our own decline and rebirth

The Parsons Medal, awarded for excellence in engineering, was presented during the Birr Engineering Heritage Festival at Birr Castle Demesne last year to Dr Ann B. Kelleher from Intel Corporation.

International STEAM Festival to be held in Offaly next week

An ordnance survey map showing the 11 wind turbines (marked with yellow dots) which might be constructed between Carrig and Sharavogue.

Another 11 giant turbines planned for South Offaly

An ordnance survey map showing the 11 wind turbines (marked with yellow dots) which might be constructed between Carrig and Sharavogue.

Another 11 giant turbines planned for South Offaly

Ancient Roman writers tell us that Celtic Druids had beards. Over the centuries beards have often symbolised positive qualities such as honour and wisdom.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): The humour and the seriousness of our fashion choices

Sophie Ward.

A special afternoon of Irish song coming to Offaly

Some of the attendees at the important meeting, including (front row l. to r.) Lady and Lord Rosse and Archbishops John McDowell and Eamon Martin.

Important meeting about UNESCO bid held in Offaly Castle

Gerry Humphreys in EI-HUM (the Flying Cow) and Eddie Goggins (the Flying Dentist) in his CAP 232 above Birr Airfield on Saturday.

Special Flight from Offaly Airfield Raises €1,000 for Charity

Richard Reid, Archaeologist with the Irish Heritage School (Birr). Richard's originally from Roscrea.

Months of archaeological work carried out on Offaly castle

Richard Reid, Archaeologist with the Irish Heritage School (Birr). Richard's originally from Roscrea.

Months of archaeological work carried out on Offaly castle

Alan Roe, aka Roesy.

Talented, 'deeply expressive' musician making welcome return to Birr

Andre Fabre delighted by Birr Castle’s pacemaking turn

Birr playground.

Big improvements on the way for Offaly playground

A contemporary photo of the Orion nebula. This nebula was first revealed to the world in the mid 19th century by a Birr astronomer.

OPINION (AN COLÚN): The connection between a Birr astronomer & one of the world'...

The roadworks in Market Square Birr on Tuesday, which have stalled for several days.

Delivery delays mean Birr road works won't be finished before Vintage Week

Councillor demands clarity after go-ahead given to wind farm near Birr

French Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Céline Place and Chair of Birr Vintage Week Caroline Conway enjoying a lighthearted moment during the exhibition's launch on Friday morning.

Hugely important Birr Castle exhibition officially opened by French Ambassador

Birr man Colm O'Callaghan gave a fascinating behind the scenes talk during Scripts.

Birr man and Gate director takes fascinated listeners 'behind the scenes'

The roadworks in Market Square Birr on Tuesday, which have stalled for several days.

Major Birr roadworks won't be finished by Vintage Week

Alan and Noreen on their wedding day in Birr in August 1965.

60 years later, couple recall their marriage in Birr

A section of the renovated Portumna Courthouse after two decades of vacancy.

Portumna Courthouse, after two decades of vacancy, reopens as community hub

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Technological University of the Shannon have signed a landmark MOU to enhance research collaboration.

Offaly location to benefit from new collaboration between educational institutio...

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