Venues
Birr, Co. Offaly
With its handsome ensemble of Georgian architecture, there’s a lot to like about Birr. The tree-lined malls and avenues of elegant houses dating from the 1800s tell a fascinating story.
Heaving with history, Birr is one of Ireland’s premier heritage towns and proud of its unique character spanning many centuries.
Our town, nestled in the heart of Ireland, is also home to the renowned Birr Theatre & Arts Centre – an essential regional stop-off for all major drama, dance, opera and comedy performances doing the national circuit.
FESTIVAL VENUES
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Oxmantown Mall
Nestled in the tree lined Oxmantown Mall, Birr Theatre & Arts Centre is a dedicated purpose built theatre which dates from 1888. Having fallen into disrepair during the eighties and nineties, Birr Stage Guild set about restoring and refurbishing this Victorian theatre building to its original glory with seating capacity for 220 with both public funds and local fundraising.
It is now a high quality facility, which provides a base for year round development of the Arts in Birr and environs, the rest of the County of Offaly and the wider region.
Our programme of events includes theatre, music - classical, contemporary, folk, jazz etc, film, dance, comedy etc and we are delighted to be involved with a number festivals: Birr Festival of Music, Hullabaloo! Offaly’s Children’s Arts Festival, OFFline Film Festival, Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, and Scripts, Ireland’s Playwriting Festival.
LOETB, BIRR
Townsend Street
LOETB Birr offers full time and part time courses, from unaccredited to QQI Level to 6 at their Further Education and Training Centre on Townsend Street.
Our thanks to John McFadden and all the team there for their support of SCRIPTS again this year.
It will host a number of our Workshops from 11-14 July.
Dooly's Hotel
"A quaint Little Place"
Dooly’s Hotel has always been part of Birr. We’re not about grand gestures or fancy airs — we’re about people. Over the years, families have gathered here, friends have reunited, and countless stories have been shared across our tables.
Now, under new leadership, we’re giving Dooly’s the care it deserves. Bit of polish, bit of pride, and a lot of heart. The history’s still here — you can feel it in the stone. But we’re ready for what’s next.
Dooly’s belongs to Birr. And to everyone who finds their way here.
TIN JUG STUDIO
A HOME, A GALLERY AND A GARDEN.
"A place of joy for creative spirits and full of unexpected marvels, Brendan House is a listed building that spans history and culture in one generous human brushstroke - poets, artists, musicians flock."
a period townhouse with a country home atmosphere. It is located in the heart of the attractive, Georgian Heritage Town of Birr, in the peaty Midlands of Ireland. Hosts, Derek and Rosalind Fanning, bought and restored the house in 1999.
Within the oldest part of Birr, it is Georgian in style, but was altered from two 17th century dwellings, possibly by Derek's great, great grandfather who once owned it. He built a number of distinctive buildings in Birr in the 19th century.
This is a Listed Building - as a B&B, it is currently only listed in the Sawday's Special Places to Stay Guide.
