{"id":1503,"date":"2007-04-11T18:40:30","date_gmt":"2007-04-11T18:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/?p=1503"},"modified":"2023-08-26T12:45:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-26T12:45:59","slug":"birr-castle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/","title":{"rendered":"Birr Castle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I drove into Birr. The road ends at the walls of Birr Castle.<\/p>\n<p>Birr Castle is the private home of the Earls of Rosse and family. It is not open to the public, but the grounds and gardens are.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1514\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1514\" data-attachment-id=\"1514\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2558\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The walls around Birr Castle from Castle Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The walls around Birr Castle from Castle Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The walls around Birr Castle from Castle Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1514 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The walls around Birr Castle from Castle Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2558.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The walls around Birr Castle from Castle Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1513\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1513\" data-attachment-id=\"1513\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2559\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The walls around Birr Castle from William Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The walls around Birr Castle from William Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The walls around Birr Castle from William Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1513 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The walls around Birr Castle from William Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2559.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1513\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The walls around Birr Castle from William Street in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1512\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1512\" data-attachment-id=\"1512\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2560\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The walls around Birr Castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The walls around Birr Castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The walls around Birr Castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1512 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The walls around Birr Castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2560.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1512\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The walls around Birr Castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1515\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1515\" data-attachment-id=\"1515\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/birr-gate\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?fit=1195%2C413&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1195,413\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Castellated Walls of Birr Castle The Follies and Garden Buildings of Ireland by James Howley\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Castellated Walls of Birr Castle&lt;br \/&gt;\nThe Follies and Garden Buildings of Ireland by James Howley&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Castellated Walls of Birr Castle&lt;br \/&gt;\nThe Follies and Garden Buildings of Ireland by James Howley&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?fit=500%2C173&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?fit=676%2C234&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1515 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?resize=500%2C173&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Castellated Walls of Birr Castle The Follies and Garden Buildings of Ireland by James Howley\" width=\"500\" height=\"173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?resize=500%2C173&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?resize=768%2C265&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?resize=1024%2C354&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/birr-gate.gif?resize=676%2C234&amp;ssl=1 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1515\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Castellated Walls of Birr Castle<br \/>\nThe Follies and Garden Buildings of Ireland by James Howley<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAnother notable castellated range is at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly. This was built during the early nineteenth century, when the earlier castle was extensively remodeled and extended. The gates spread as a long and fairly low battlemented range, with a central pointed archway flanked by round towers, each linked by single-storey walls to small outer square towers. Each tower has a rectangular window-opening with drip mountings above and the spandrels of the central archway are decorated by cross arrow-slits. Pedestrian doorways are set in the flanking walls adjacent to the round towers.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Follies and Garden Buildings of Ireland by James Howley<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1508\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1508\" data-attachment-id=\"1508\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2569\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1508 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1516\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1516\" data-attachment-id=\"1516\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2565\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1516 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2565.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1516\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1507\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1507\" data-attachment-id=\"1507\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2569-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1507 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569-2.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1509\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1509\" data-attachment-id=\"1509\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2567\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1509 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2567.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1506\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1506\" data-attachment-id=\"1506\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/featured_image-birr_castle\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?fit=750%2C348&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,348\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?fit=500%2C232&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?fit=676%2C314&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1506 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?resize=500%2C232&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle\" width=\"500\" height=\"232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?resize=500%2C232&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?resize=676%2C314&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1506\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle<\/p><\/div>There has been a castle here since at least 1170, once ruled by the O&#8217;Carroll family. In 1620, Birr Castle and 1,277 surrounding acres were granted to Sir Laurence Parsons. Beginning with the gatehouse of the original castle, he built the castle mostly the way we see it now. Laurence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse added Gothic touches in the early 1800s.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1508\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1508\" data-attachment-id=\"1508\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2569\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1508 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2569.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat, Private Home of Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse and family<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_1518\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1518\" data-attachment-id=\"1518\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/birr-castle\/img_2564\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?fit=1800%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?fit=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?fit=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?resize=676%2C507&amp;ssl=1 676w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/IMG_2564.jpg?w=1352&amp;ssl=1 1352w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1518\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birr Castle is surrounded by a moat<\/p><\/div>The private grounds are protected by a moat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/2007\/04\/11\/birr-castle-science-centre-and-telescope\/\">Next: Birr Castle Science Centre and Telescope &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I drove into Birr. The road ends at the walls of Birr Castle. Birr Castle is the private home of the Earls of Rosse and family. It is not open to the public, but the grounds and gardens are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-castles","category-ireland"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/featured_image-Birr_Castle.jpg?fit=750%2C348&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eR8A-of","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1503"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3000,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1503\/revisions\/3000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.design42.com\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}