About the Birr and Midlands Chapter and Committee
The Birr Chapter was established in 1993. In 2015, it extended its geographical reach and is now known as the Birr/Midlands Chapter. The aim, inter alia, is to include all members from the area in activities organised by the Chapter.
The Committee, consisting of 15 members, meets once a month. Reports are submitted to Irish Georgian Society HQ. The annual meeting takes place in November of each year.
Chapter Patron: the Earl of Rosse
Committee Officers:
Chair - John Joyce
Hon Treasurer - Gerry Browne
Hon Secretary - Elizabeth Fogarty
Activities include trips to buildings of architectural interest, throughout the year, and the Christmas party at Birr Castle.
For the Birr and Midlands Chapter latest chapter, please click here.
In 2015/2016 the Chapter was proud to support and contribute to the Famous and Notables of Birr (FAN) Trail. As a result, 27 Blue Plaques have now been installed around the town; these serve as a town trail for tourists and commemorates distinguished visitors and former residents including Dame Nelly Melba, Opera Singer; Bernadette O’Farrell, Hollywood actress and Lord Snowdon, renowned photographer.
Examples of events include
- 2017 : the Chapter organised a successful overnight trip to the Boyne Centre, Castle Ward, Mount Steward and Hillsborough Castle.
- 2018 : a Georgian Day was organised in the context of Heritage Week. This included a presentation to Birr Library of committee meeting reports from 1993 to 2013 for safe keeping in the local history section of the library; a tour around the Georgian highlights of the town and a lecture by Dr Patricia McCarthy entitled “Making the grand figure – country houses in Georgian Ireland”.
- 2019 : Two local tours were organised, the first to Gloster House, outside Birr, on 12 June where the group was welcomed by proprietors Tom and Mary Alexander.
A visit to Charleville Castle, Tullamore took place on 29 June followed by a viewing of Boland’s Lock on the Grand Canal where the owner Michael O’Rourke welcomed the group.
A further trip to 3 Kildare Houses took place on 28 July – Larchill House and Arcadian Gardens courtesy of Michael de las Casas; Coolcarrigan House, Church and Gardens courtesy of Robert Wilson-Wright and Harristown House, courtesy of Hubert Beaumont.
Membership
Membership is organised via Irish Georgian Society HQ, Dublin
New members from the Birr/Midlands area are invited to contact us when they join so that they can be included in invitations to local activities.
Contact
Email: birrmidlands@igs.ie
The Folly, Gloster House, Brosna, Birr, with owner Tom Alexander and Lady Rosse - 12 June 2019
Coolcarrigan house with owner Robert Wilson Wright at back - 28 July 2019
Harristown House, Co Kildare, with owner Hubert Beaumont (front row, centre) and Lord and Lady Rosse (front row, right) - 28 July 2019
Visit to Larchill Arcadian gardens with owner Michael De Las Casas - 28 July 2019
Boland's Lock, Tullamore - 29 June 2019
Charleville Castle, Tullamore - 29 June 2019
Birr/Midlands chapter visit Mount Steward - 10 June 2017