See Page 3 - Offaly County Council

BirrSet in the southwest of County Offaly,Birr is the most attractive and wellkept town in the county. With treelinedavenues and Georgian Houses,Birr is a town with much character.Initially a monastic town from the12th century when St. Brendan of Birrfounded a monastery, it was in the 13th century that, like so manyother towns, it became a Norman town. During the Plantations of1620 the estate, including the castle, were given to the Parsons inwhose hands the estate remains after 14 generations.The main attraction today is the gardens of Birr Castle whichcontain over 1000 species of different shrubs.Also in the castle grounds is the world famous telescope.Completed in 1845, scientists and astronomers from all over theworld came to use the telescope. It remained the largest inexistence for 75 years. The telescope was used in the mapping ofthe moon. Demonstrations take place 3 times daily as to how thetelescope worked.Dooly's Hotel stands in Emmet Square, the very centre of GeorgianBirr. The hotel is one of the oldest coaching inns in the countrydating back to 1747 and now enjoys the status of being a 3 starhotel.Birr was laid out during the Georgian period and still retains manyof its original features such as its wide tree lined walls, pleasantgardens, period houses and Georgian character. The town itselfreflects the peace and contentment of its surrounding countryside.The Granary CafeFull Irish, Great Coffee, Steaks and CakesBirr (Main Street behind Mary’s Flowers)089 419780520