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Birr Castle: A Quick Post

Posted on October 29, 2015 by No Map Required Posted in Engineering, Ireland, Places .
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Another view.

Now THAT is a castle!

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to Aaron’s dad and stepmom, Grace, who met us for four wonderful days in Dublin. Right on cue, the skies turned gray and the rain came down. Needing to get out of town, we rented a car and headed towards Adare (a small town near Limerick) for our next house sitting gig. As we drove it only got darker and darker. *sigh* Then, finally, out of nowhere, a slice of blue sky! The tiniest sliver of light on a most dreadful day. Follow that exit!! Without any kind of plan we got off the highway and gave ourselves 20 km to find something good. You know, like a snack – we were both starving. What we found was Birr Castle glowing on an incredible fall day. Our very own moment of serendipity here in the land of four leaf clovers.

When we got off the motorway we ended up following this fellow. We decided it was a good omen.

When we got off the motorway, we followed this fellow to….

THE CASTLE

Birr Castle

Welcome to Birr Castle, home to seven generations of Earls of Rosse.

This is the Birr Castle. Built in medieval times, it passed hands repeatedly until it was “granted” to the Parsons family in 1620. They have occupied it continuously since then! Can you imagine living in the same house for 500 years?

More castel.

What, this ole thing? I guess it’s okay…

Everyone needs a turrit.

Everyone needs a tower or two.

THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE

Apparently the Parsons were some big-time self-taught engineers. They designed this marvelous bridge and built it in their workshop around 1810. It’s the oldest steel suspension bridge in Ireland.

Aw com'mon...like the day wasn't pretty enough they put this amazing bridge here. My heart skipped a beat.

Aw c’mon…like the day wasn’t pretty enough, then they go and put this amazing bridge here. My heart skipped a beat.

Gorgeous, eh?

Gorgeous, eh?

Climbing plants down the side. Kind of romantic, even.

Climbing plants down the side..kind of romantic.

Just like the look of the steal, the rust, and the paint.

Just like the look of the steel, the autumn colored rust, and the cracking paint.

Love me a cool looking bridge.

Love me a cool looking bridge…even if I couldn’t cross it!

THE TELESCOPE

The Parsons decided a 72 inch telescope would be a nice add. Being engineers, why not build it themselves? It was designed and built between 1841-1845 before being restored in 1997. For over 50 years it was the largest telescope in the world! It’s still occasionally used.

Telescope with plywood on the front to protect the lense. Really? Just plywood?

Telescope with plywood on the front to protect the lens. Really? Just plywood? Still, astronomers using this telescope first determined the shape of spiral galaxies!

THE GROUNDS

There were gardens of all sorts, formal and free-form, terraces, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls.

Little water fall that made a big roar.

Little waterfall with a big roar.

Everywhere we looked it was beautifl.

Everywhere we looked it was beautiful.

More beautiful stuff.

Should that be a jigsaw puzzle or what??

My beau on a pretty afternoon.

Take a look at this beaut!!

11

A little more stunning fall scenery.

Pretty.

Fall colors – magical!

Fall colors were like fireworks - we oooo and awwwww'd our way through the grounds.

Almost seems like an impressionist painting…

This is the bottom of a big old feld tree with all the root structure exposed and a big hole in the ground. Plants have started growing from within it. I was aw struck.

This is the bottom of a big old fallen tree with all the root structure exposed and a big hole in the ground where it once stood. Plants have started growing from within it. I was awestruck.

A few minutes before dusk we finally left as we had a house sitting assignment to get to after all. Thanks to the incredible change in weather and this luckiest of random stops we were once again happy and excited to be on the road. We are reminded that stumbling onto, and into, the unknown makes for the greatest of adventures.

Thanks Birr!

One last snapshot for the scrapbook.

One last snapshot for the scrapbook.

8 Comments
« What it Cost: UK (Wales, England)
A Wales of a Good Time! »

8 Responses

  1. Christa says
    October 29, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    Wow, beautiful! But what about the snack!?

    Reply
    • facebook-profile-picture No Map Required says
      October 30, 2015 at 4:17 am

      Ohh, not to worry – there’s no missing of snacks in this family!

      Reply
  2. Nan Street says
    October 29, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    Ahh…beautiful!!

    Reply
  3. Henrietta Freedman says
    October 30, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Wow that was magnificent!!!
    Henrietta

    Reply
  4. Andrea says
    November 1, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Wow. What a lovely day on the castle grounds! Aaron looks so much like his father! I like the name Papa Barr!

    Reply
    • facebook-profile-picture No Map Required says
      November 3, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Aaron and PapaBarr do look just alike. I always tell Aaron I expect that he will age handsomely!!

      Reply
  5. Casey says
    November 1, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Darn, I saw the castle and was sure it was your next pet sit. Five hundred years is a lot of history for the current Earl to carry on his shoulders. Loved the bridge and close-up of the steel. Hope Aaron was kept away from tools to use on it. The telescope is pretty amazing. Glad your good fortune continues.

    Reply
    • facebook-profile-picture No Map Required says
      November 3, 2015 at 3:07 am

      Wouldn’t THAT be an amazing house sit? Might be awfully cold, though – they don’t have a lot of insulation in those old stone castles…

      Reply

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