15.06.2024, 10:00 A.M.

Offaly’s Built Heritage Show: traditional building skills demonstrations, conservation talks & children's craft workshops will take place in Ireland's finest Georgian town, Birr, County Offaly on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June.

The event is presented by the Irish Georgian Society in partnership with Offaly County Council and the IGS Birr Chapter, and with funding from The Heritage Council's Heritage Stewardship Grants Scheme, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Creative Ireland.

For one weekend the Georgian town of Birr will become a one-stop destination for owners in need of accurate, impartial, and free advice on caring and repairing for their old building. The exhibition is of particular relevance to those living in Protected Structure or buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas, however attendance will also benefit owners of all traditionally built buildings, including vernacular structures.

Demonstrations will be delivered by the conservation experts with the opportunity to see over two dozen craftspeople actively demonstrate key traditional building skills needed for the conservation of old buildings including: sash window repairs, stained glass & fanlight conservation, stone carving, dry stonewall construction, use of lime-based mortars and hemp; brick pointing, decorative plasterwork; ironwork, slate roofing, thatching, gilding and wallpaper making, to name a few.

In tandem with the demonstrations there will be free hourly conservation talks delivered by the acknowledged authorities in the Birr Theatre. For the full programme of talks click here.

All demonstrations and talks are free of charge & no advanced booking required.

Additionally on Saturday 15th June as part of Cruinniú na nÓg children’s festival of youth, there will be a series of six children's craft workshops. The children's craft workshops are free of charge but advanced booking through eventbrite is required.