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As
I looked on Birr Castle from outside its exterior
fortifications, I was very impressed with its
grand scale. Entering a gate in the massive outer
wall, I was a little disappointed to discover
visitors are not allowed into the Castle Keep,
But then, it was the Telescope I had come to see.
View
of Birr Castle from the wildflower
meadows. |
Birr castle has been the home of the Parsons
family since 1620 AD with the current resident being
William Brendan Parsons, the 7th Earl of
Rosse. When you consider how many castles
have gone to ruin or had to be turned
over to the state, it is nice to see one
still in the family. |
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In
two days we would be leaving Ireland. The
Previous day my wife had made it clear
"no more Castles!" (she really
hates those tight, winding stone
stairways, which I love so much).
Directing her to select our next
destination, I was rather surprised she
selected, Birr Castle..??.
| More
pages on Birr Castle and its
gardens: |
| The
telescope |
| The
gardens |
| Ireland's
Historic Science Center |
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| Outside
Links:
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The
gardens at Birr Castle date back to the
mid 1600's. |
| People come
to Burr Castle to walk the biggest
gardens in Ireland, see the 150+ year old
restored telescope (largest telescope in
existence until the 1900's), and visit
the Historic Science Center. (At Birr
Castle there are no tight winding stone
stairways for the tourist to climb.) Birr
Castle is really about taking a walk in
to the life of one of Ireland's historic
and inventive families. The Third Earl of
Rosse was an inventor and discoverer.
Most noted for inventing the steam
turbine engine he also designed and
constructed a 72" Reflective
telescope in the 1840's.
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The
recently restored Telescope sets in the center of
the Castle's meadow.
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| Optical Telescopes
work best when the air is clear, dry and there is
very little air movement. As you might have
guess, Ireland's weather does not often contain
these characteristics. Never the less, using this
telescope, the 3rd. and 4th Earls of Rosse were
able to contribute to the advancement of
Astronomy. |
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Relationship
Disclosure
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