We got to Birr Castle on a cold winter morning. The grey sky touched the tops of the trees, the chilly air prickled our skin and Ireland was enveloped in that mystical atmosphere ancient tales and lore evoke so well.
Table of Contents
Dublin to Birr castle: arrival and practical info
A practical note: there is plenty of on-street parking around the castle, pay and display during the week but free at the weekend. This is a lovely excuse to also spend time in the town: we stopped there for lunch and had a lovely, warm meal served with a side of Irish hospitality, which made the whole expedition to Birr Castle even more special
Bir Castle: what to see
Birr castle treehouse and playground

The impressive Birr Castle Treehouse can you spot my son on the slide? The Birr Treehouse looks like something out of a magical woodland and it is the largest treehouse in Ireland

For children only! Adults won’t fit in the hobbit house in Birr but my kids loved peeking into it (the did not dare enter!)
The Birr telescope

The castle-like structure that hosts the Birr telescope, with its elaborate crane and chain system, to manouvre what used to be the biggest telescope in Europe
Birr gardens

Woodland walks are more fun if you go on a scavenger hunt. This time we were looking for oak leaves, something yellow and mushrooms
The science centre
Hotels in Birr
Birr and its surrounding area offer a good choice of hotel but, to my surprise, I discovered many do not accommodate children! Thankfully, for one that doesn’t accept them there are others who welcome kids with open arms, and here they are:
Minnocks Country Home: a beautiful property a short distance from Birr, with a fantastic garden, great breakfast and family rooms.
County Arms Hotel Birr: a gorgeous hotel with a renown restaurants, it has family rooms and a plethora of activities for adults and children alike. Babysitting service available
The Malting’s B&B A historical property still retaining original features and charm, this hotel has an excellent location to explore Birr castle and offers family rooms accommodating up to 4 people.
The Ring Farmhouse A lovely house who will welcome you and your kids with a lovely family room and a playground.
Aonach B&B A welcoming B&B with family rooms equipped with a patio area for extra space.
Emmet House A five-minute walk fro Birr castle, Emmet house is in the perfect location for a morning visit to Birr. beautiful family rooms and a playground make it a solid choice for families – babysitting service is available on request.
Conclusion
Birr castle is a fantastic destination for a day out with the kids, both as a day trip or an overnight stay while travelling through Ireland. The castle grounds are open most of the year and periodically host seasonal events such the Halloween Pumpkin trail at the end of October and Christmas experience. You can find out more about the castle and event on their official website Birrcastle.com
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All you need to know about visiting enchanting Birr Castle, Ireland. Birr castle is a beautiful historical residence and used to be an important centre for astronomy enthusiasts: its grounds host what used to be the biggest telescope in Europe, a science centre, beautiful gardens and are now equipped with an adventure playground and facilities to welcome families with kids of all ages