Birr - A taste of old Ireland: Churches, Gardens, Antiques, and a Castle

We went off the map today and took some one-lane country roads to the town of Birr. Along the way, we found this abandoned church, but carefully maintained cemetery. Birds occupy the inside of the church. When we got close, a bird flew out a window, breaking the glass. It was quite the scare! The site is one of many we passed in the country, very peaceful and quiet.

The town square in Birr - we had sandwiches at the coffee shop and cafe in Dooly's Hotel. Katy had a chicken, pineapple and curry sandwich. Cari had baked ham and brie sandwich with a sweet relish. Dad had a ham sandwich with sweet corn, brie, and sweet relish. Maggie and Mom had fresh pastries and scones.

Emmet Square in the town center of Birr. 

Birr Castle - currently a private residence. We toured the grounds and saw the formal gardens at Birr Castle Demesne.

Built by the Earl of Rosse (no, not an ancestor), this telescope was the largest in the 1840s. 

These leaves are HUGE!

Consulting the map.

Formal gardens - not many tourists today, so we had the garden to ourselves!

Wisteria Flowers. 

Gigantic Wisteria!

The highlight of the gardens - Delphinium.

A cool old greenhouse - filled with a mixture of sweet peas and geraniums.

We don't take nice pictures in this family.

A quick stop in an antique shop - lots of interesting items and art. Plus, the shop was in a historic building across from the castle.

St. Brendan's Church - Church of Ireland.

Wesley Church - founded by John Wesley. He visited there 19 times!