Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Hotel

Birr, Co. Offaly, is an amazing heritage town, the fineast examples of Georgain architecture and planning can be seen here, and it is a wonderful place to visit for a weekend which so much to do and see.  It is a virtually intact 18thC/19C town dominated by the mangificent Birr Castle, seat of the Earls of Rosse, where visitors can see the famous giant telescope built by the 3rd Earl of Rosse.  Wonderful streets and terraces are lined with magnificent Georgian houses from the Oxmantown Mall, St. John’s Mall and Emmet Square.  

We first visited Birr to attend the Jazz Festival and found ourselves going back and back again.  There is a super Theatre on the Oxmantown Mall which hosts wonderful shows.  Following our initial visits, we then took our two boys to visit Birr and they were fascinated by the Science Centre at Birr Castle.   So, there are plenty of attractions here for all ages and tastes.

What is very important where you are is somewhere great to stay and, being in such a beautiful town, it is all the more important to soak up the culture and the experience by staying in a superb example of Georgian Architecture at Townsend House.

Townsend House is located right in the centre of Birr, so convenient for walking around everywhere, five minutes from the Birr Castle Demesne and from Birr Theatre.    It is a 19thC house with beautiful gardens with mature trees and shrubs, and a private courtyard, which is available for private parking. They also grow their own organic vegetables which you can sample.  All of the 10 bedrooms are ensuite, complete with direct dial telephones, multi channel TV, tea and coffee making facilites and complimentary access.  They are furnished in traditional style with the finest antiques in keeping with the period. They have double and twin rooms, plus two single rooms, and two family rooms.

Martin and Lorraine are a friendly pair and will make you feel very welcome.  They even have an Olde Worlde Wine Bar for guests at Townsend House, which is a great facility of an evening, as they say.  Just think of being able sit down in front of a wood burning stove, after your day’s explorations, to relax and interact with other guests whilst sampling delicious wines - all very reasonable priced.  Its like a home from home - which is what we all need when travelling.

After a great night’s sleep you can look forward to a hearty breakfast in one of the two fine Georgian breakfast rooms with an excellent buffet selection of fresh fruits, cereals, yoghurts, jams, and lovely homemade brown and soda bread.  You can have your eggs, poached, scrambled, fried, with the Full Irish and delicious crispy bacon, sausages, black and white pudding.

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