Ormond House B&B Accommodation, Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland

Birr town is steeped in history. The first recorded evidence of a settlement in Birr was when St. Brendan founded a monastery in the 6th century AD. The scribe Macregol made a copy of the four gospels here around 800 AD.

An Anglo-Norman castle was built in 1208. In the early 14th century the O'Carroll dynasty was re-established and held power until the late 16th century.

In the Plantation of 1619 Sir Laurence Parsons was granted Birr Castle and 1,277 acres of land. Birr was known as Parsonstown for a time.

Following two sieges in 1640 and 1690 the town of Birr grew in stages - Emmet Square (1747), Oxmantown Mall (1816), Wilmer Road (1817) and John's Mall (1833).

In the 19th century Birr had the world's largest telescope - built by the third Earl of Rosse, and his son, Charles, invented the steam turbine engine.

The first ever All-Ireland Hurling Final, between Tipperary and Galway, was held in Birr in 1888.

The River Camcor is a tributary of the Little Brosna which flows into Lough Derg. When the river is in flood like this the large lake trout, called croneen, begin make their way up to the streams in the Slieve Bloom Mountains to spawn. This offers excellent opportunities for the angler.

Mill Island - a quiet informal park in the centre of Birr on the banks of the river Camcor. It is also bounded by a mill race with two sluice gates. Take a relaxed walk there or have a picnic.

Crotty's Church - can be found in Castle Street, Birr. This church was built during the "Crotty Schism" in the 1830's. Michael Crotty was a Roman Catholic curate in Birr since 1820. But he was passed over for promotion and prevented from entering the new Roman Catholic church, (which was partly built by his supporters), by policemen with fixed bayonets.
He enlisted the help of his cousin, another Roman Catholic priest, and began to preach from a temporary church. The congregation of over 1,000, mostly poor people, raised funds to build a new church.

The schism ended in 842.

Camcor Park - a pleasant green area by the river camcor.

Slieve Bloom Mountains - 18 Km from Birr. The peak - Ard Eireann - is 1,600 ft high. There are many walks and trails through forests, blanket bogs and valleys with clear mountain streams and waterfalls.. If you are quiet you will see some of the many fallow deer that inhabit the area.

Clonmacnois - 30 Km from Birr. This monastic site was founded on the banks of the shannon by St. Ciaran in the 6th century. It soon became famous and attracted scholars from all over europe. The site was attacked over 40 times over the 1,000 years of it's existence but it was rebuilt each time by the monks.
In 1552 it was completely destroyed by the english garrison from Athlone and lay in ruins until the OPW made it into one of ireland's most important heritage sites. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the visitor centre.

Seir Ciaran - This early christian site is 8 Km from Birr. St. Ciaran founded a monastery there in the 5th century. The site has some crosses, grave slabs and the remains of a round tower. It also has a holy well and a holy tree.

Saint Ruadhan’s Abbey, Lorrha - Saint Ruadhan founded this monastery in 540 AD which became the most famous of the Munster monasteries. The ruin on the site of Saint Ruadhan’s Church was built around 1000 AD. Also to visit in the village of Lorrha are the 12th century Dominican Priory, Monastic mill, 15th century Augustinian Abbey, Norman Motte & St. Ruadhan’s Well.

Lough Boorah Parklands - 20 Km from Birr. A large part of the raised bogs in the midlands has been harvested by Bord na Móna for fuel and energy. New habitats are being established there with a wide range of flora and fauna. There are 3 Parkland walks available to the public. There are 5 lakes for coarse and game fishing.
http://www.loughbooraparklands.com