Packed schedule for nine-day Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival
The Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival kicks off this Friday, August 1, with a schedule of events to suit the whole family.
Continuing until Saturday, August 9, the annual community arts festival includes more than 90 events over the course of the nine days.
It will feature professional, national and international artists, and involve a range of visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performances, workshops, exhibitions, and lots more.
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in Ireland, having begun 57 years ago in 1968 by celebrating the town's unique Georgian heritage and all things vintage.
It's a sweet beginning for this year's festival, with 'La Dolce Vita, A Celebration of the Italian Movie Scores' taking place on Friday evening at 8pm in the Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.
Saturday morning, August 2, will begin with a painting workshop with artist Emma Barone, inspired by her own exhibition 'Orb', at 11am in at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.
The event will explore and delve into the meditative process of creating your own luminous orb artwork, imbued with your unique spiritual connection. Later that evening, Birr Castle Courtyard will host 'Metamorphosis' at 9.30pm, an unforgettable spectacle celebrating the rewilding of the boglands.
The experience is a fusion of original music by Fiona Linane, inspired by Eileen Casey’s poetry, with powerful performances by Cal Y Canto, soprano Maria Matthews, fire artist Eddie Bulfin, and Birr Youth Theatre.
On Sunday, August 3, Birr Vintage Week will celebrate all things vintage with the annual Birr Vintage Sunday Parade. Beginning at 3pm, the parade will follow a route from Marian Hall, down Castle Street and onto Green Street for judging.
There's a packed schedule of events set for Bank Holiday Monday, August 4, with everything from art and dance workshops, to drama and circus performances.
Other highlights from the week of celebrations include 'Sea Wall' by Simon Stephens at 7pm in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Wednesday, August 6, and Thursday, August 7, Bardic Irish Storyteller Aindrias de Staic's performance art show 'By the Light of the Silvery Moon', taking place in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on August 8, at 8pm, an OFFline Film Screening in Birr Castle on August 8 at 9.15pm, and Tadhg J Devery's comedy show ‘A Day In The Country’ on Saturday, August 9, at 8pm in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre.
An array of family friendly events will take place across the week too, including a Food & Craft Market in Green Street from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday, August 2, a fireworks display at the Barracks Field in Crinkill from 7pm on Thursday, August 7, and a duck race at Comcor River beside Birr Rugby Club from 6pm on Saturday, August 2, just to name a few.
About this year's festival
The 57th annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival festival proudly presents its multi-site Visual Arts Trail under the intriguing theme of "Sign, Symbol, Word."
You can dive into the visual world with exhibitions like TEN, the collaborative brilliance of ten local artists working with Limerick Printmakers, and the innovative Alphabet Soup project, exploring the unique typography and artistry of Birr's very own streetscapes.
Prepare to be swept away by an array of spectacular events: Witness "Metamorphosis", an unforgettable spectacle featuring fire artists & visual projections at Birr Castle Courtyard on Saturday, August 2.
Enjoy beloved traditions like the vibrant Vintage Sunday Parade on Sunday, August 3, and the Fireworks Night & Gig Rig on Thursday, August 7.
Enjoy a range of inclusive and family-friendly activities at the Courthouse Yard every afternoon from 2–5pm, featuring games, workshops, and sensory-friendly spaces. Highlights include giant alphabet blocks, cornholes, an Art Wall, and a calming Sensory Tent for quiet play.
Don’t miss the immersive "Flight" exhibition at the Old Cinema, offering a peaceful escape, or the Sensory Treasure Hunt on Monday, August 4. An accessible viewing area will also be available along the parade route (advance reservation required).
There's truly something for everyone in the 2025 programme, whether you're keen to explore an exhibition, catch a show, dance the night away, get active with a run, walk, or swim, unleash your creativity, discover something new, or even race a duck!
To view the full programme and make online bookings, visit www.birrvintageweek.com. Over-the-phone bookings are available via Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on (057) 9122911, open Monday-Friday, 1pm-5pm.