A medieval castle, a park, museums, and the largest telescope — all of this can be found at Birr Castle. A walk with a real count through his estate with a medieval castle is not a fairy tale. In the Irish Birr Castle, surrounded by beautiful gardens and parks, this becomes a reality. The owner, a descendant of an ancient Irish family, will tell the history of the estate and even have a cup of tea with you from the family porcelain.
History of the Castle
The story began a long time ago, at the beginning of the 12th century. At that time, there was an Anglo-Norman fortress here. Later, until the 17th century, the O’Carroll family lived in Birr Castle and managed a large territory.
In 1620, Sir Laurence Parsons, the Earl of Rosse, was granted Birr Castle with its adjacent territory of five square kilometers by the reigning sovereign. The new owner built the castle that has survived to this day. The wonderful garden was also laid out at that time.
In the early 19th century, a descendant of the noble family, Laurence Parsons, the second Earl of Rosse, decided to change the exterior of his residence. After a small reconstruction, the castle acquired a Gothic appearance.
The Astronomer Earl and the Blacksmith Countess
A significant contribution to the castle’s history was made by the third Earl of Rosse, William Parsons. He was engaged in public activities, was a peer of Ireland, president of the Royal Society of London, and was passionate about astronomy. To observe the life of cosmic objects, he even learned to make telescopes. His wife, Mary Rosse, a very interesting personality, helped him in this. She mastered the entirely unladylike profession of a blacksmith, was interested in photography, and helped her husband bring the most unimaginable fantasies to life. One such project was the creation of the largest telescope in the world.
The Leviathan Telescope
The main attraction of Birr Castle is the “Leviathan” telescope. It was named for its cyclopean size. At the time of its creation in 1845, it was the largest telescope in the world. This 15-ton structure cost 20,000 pounds sterling. The main mirror, which collected light from distant stars, was made from an alloy of copper and tin. Due to its gigantic size and processing complexity, its preparation took about three years. The finished mirror was a disc 183 cm in diameter, 15 cm thick, and weighing 3 tons. The telescope tube, 18 meters long, was made of spruce, bound with iron rings.
To bring his idea to life, the Earl had to create an entire factory on his estate and teach peasants the complex sciences of making optical instruments. The workshops were equipped with everything necessary. William Parsons spared no expense on technical innovations.
Everything was thought out to the smallest detail, and such a machine could be operated by one person using a system of blocks and levers.
Thanks to this marvel of technology, the third Earl of Rosse made a discovery that immortalized his name in astronomy. He saw the galaxies of the Universe and its nebulae in a completely different light. It turns out they have a spiral shape.
19th Century Photo Studio
Mary Rosse, the Earl’s wife, became Ireland’s first photographer. Her photo studio was literally crammed with innovative gadgets of the time. The couple, hungry for technical novelties, spent enormous sums on them. After her ownership, no one touched anything until 1983. The laboratory remained closed for almost a century.
This is what makes it valuable for the history of photography. Those interested in photography will find it worthwhile to visit the Museum of Photographic Art. Here, not only 19th-century photographs are displayed but also reagents. The museum, located in the castle, also provides descriptions of various photo development methods.
Birr Castle Park
After exploring the museums, telescope, and scientific achievements of the former owners of Birr Castle, visitors stroll through the park of this beautiful piece of landscape art. The man-made park with skillfully arranged flower beds and green hedges transitions into a completely wild forest with waterfalls and untouched nature corners.
The park has elegant benches with monograms. Here, surrounded by flower beds and blooming shrubs, you can relax in the fresh air, take beautiful photos against the backdrop of nature, and merge with it in another part of this splendor. Wandering over lace bridges created by human hands in the Middle Ages and preserved to this day, you feel alone with nature and history.
Botanical Garden
For lovers of living nature, the Botanical Garden of Birr Castle will be of interest. Flowers from all corners of the world are grown here. Local gardeners take great care of this wealth. Thanks to their efforts, after a decade of dormancy, the “goat-horned tree” has bloomed. In early June, you can observe the flowering of this beautiful plant, also known as the Chinese tree. A seedling of this unique plant was brought to Ireland in the mid-20th century.
The Earl of Rosse in Person
The title of Earl of Rosse is inherited by descendants. The current resident of the castle, Brendan Parsons, is the seventh generation of the famous dynasty. Besides Mary Rosse’s photo studio, the castle is closed to visitors. It is hard to believe, but the beautiful medieval castle serves as the residence of today’s descendants.
The seventh Earl of Rosse did everything possible in 1996 to restore this monument of science and technology. Much effort was made to restore the telescope and create museums where the astronomer’s manuscripts and drawings are displayed, depicting what he saw in the boundless Universe, looking through his world mirror.
Things to Do
At Birr Castle and its surroundings, you can walk all day. It is a whole world on a vast area with so much interesting to see for all tastes.
Someone might want to chat with the owner and his wife. The family often comes out to meet park visitors and gladly tells the history of the noble estate.
There are even tours that include a visit to the castle and lunch in the presence of the Earl and Countess.
How to Get There on Your Own
This fairy-tale place (Birr Castle) is located in Ireland, in County Offaly. The best way to get to the capital of Ireland, Dublin, is by plane. Between cities in Ireland, you can choose a car, train, or bus.
For those who prefer a leisurely journey with nature observation, a ferry is suitable. This type of transport can get you to the country’s shores.
Have a pleasant journey!
