Birr
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- This article is about Birr, the town in Ireland. For alternative meanings see: Birr (disambiguation).
Template:Ie citytown infobox Birr (Biorra in Irish) is a town in the Midlands county of Offaly in the Republic of Ireland. Once called "Parsonstown", after its owners the Parsons family, Birr is situated on the Camcor River and has a castle which is open to tourists all the year round. Birr Castle is the home of the seventh Earl of Rosse.
A main feature on the grounds of the castle is the great telescope erected by the third Earl of Rosse, an astronomical telescope with a 72-inch reflector which was, until 1917, the largest telescope in the world.
On leaving Birr, the Camcor River flows into the Little Brosna which, in turn, flows into the River Shannon.
There is also a locality named Birr on Highway 4 in London Township, Canada.
Notable people from Birr
- Joseph Stirling Coyne (1803-1868)
- John Guinan (1874-1945)
- John Feehan was born in Birr 1946
- John Frazer 1804-1852
See also
External links
- The Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation (http://www.travelpublishing.co.uk/CountryLivingIreland/EastCoastandMidlands/cliTheBirrScientificandHeritageFoundation.htm)
- Birr Castle Demesne (http://www.birrcastleireland.com/new/index.htm?mainFrame=http%3A//www.birrcastleireland.com/new/main.htm)
- Clickable map of County Offaly (http://www.local.ie/general/map/offaly.shtml)
- Birr Castle Demesne at Irish Travel Ideas site (http://www.irishtravelideas.com/features/birrcastle.asp)
- Dan Heller's (recent) images of Birr Castle and gardens (http://www.danheller.com/ire-birr-castle.html)
- Much older photographs of Birr (http://www.imagesofoldireland.com/towns%20and%20villages/co%20offaly/birr/birr.html)ga:Biorra