Birr Castle, Birr, County Offaly, Leinster

Birr Castle, a large castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, is the home of the seventh Earl of Rosse, and also the home of Historic Science Centre, a museum of Ireland's historic scientists and their contributions to astronomy and botany.

Although the extensive grounds are open to the public, the residential areas of the castle are not accessible to the public, because it is an occupied residence.

On the grounds of the castle is the "Great Telescope" or Leviathan (aka The Rosse Telescope) of the third Earl of Rosse, a large astronomical telescope with a 183 cm reflector that was built in 1845 and can be viewed by visitors.

SOURCE: Geray Sweeney, courtesy of Tourism Ireland

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