Programme of Events

Friday 11 August

Auld Codgers
Art / Costume Workshop with Rozzie & Bernie. For boys and girls (approx 7-11 years) and accompanying in Vintage Parade on Sunday.
Tin Jug Studio 10.30-1.30 (also on Thurs 10th August) Fee: €35 incl. materials, refreshments and lunch. Call 057-9121818 for bookings

Family movie Singing in the Rain
(in association with accessCINEMA)
Here is your chance to revisit one of the greatest musicals ever made. See Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly’s Technicolor masterpiece as it was meant to be seen - on the big screen. The setting is a Hollywood studio, where Don Lockwood and his co-star Lina Lamont are facing the change from silent movies to ‘Talkies’. The sky’s the limit as this film pays tribute to westerns, costume dramas, screwball comedies, singin and dancin the whole way! Kick start your festival week with this 1950’s classic, staring Gene Kelly & Debbie Reynolds
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre Time: 7pm • €5/3 • Box Office 057 9122911

Songs of Praise ~ Birr Flower Festival
Designed by Richard Haslam
Proceeds in aid of Offaly Hospice and Church Organ Fund.
Featuring Killaloe Brass and Birr Choral Society
St Brendan’s Church of Ireland • Cheese & Wine reception at 7pm ~ Official Opening 8pm • Admission: €15

Vintage Tennis Tournament
Entries on the night at clubhouse.
Best dressed competition for ladies and gents in vintage tennis costume.
Wilmer Tennis Club • Time: 7.30pm

Classical Evening
An evening of light classical music and song.
Vintage Costume Competition – get into the festive spirit by dressing in period costume and be in with a chance to win great prizes!
The Chestnut • Time: 9pm Admission: FREE. Seating limited - Come early!

Beach Volleyball
Competition heats followed by BBQ (Heats begin Wed 9th & Thurs 10th August. Call 057-9120193 for details). Also on Sat 12th & Mon 14th)
County Arms Hotel • Time: 7pm

Saturday 12 August top

Songs of Praise ~ Birr Flower Festival
Designed by Richard Haslam.
Proceeds in aid of Offaly Hospice and Church Organ Fund.
St Brendan’s Church of Ireland • Time: 10am – 9pm Admission: €10 (group rate available)

Olde Time Traditional Fair Day & Children’s Vintage Costume Competition
Browse through our many olde worlde stalls, books, curios, bric-a-brac, fruit & veg, re-enactment of medieval crafts & sports, music and dancing, farm animals and ponies, plants and flowers, food and drink.
Venue: Green Street • Time: 12–3pm
(Children’s Vintage Costume Competition at 2pm)

Busking Competition
Streets of Birr • Time: from 2pm

Birr Chapter Irish Georgian Society hosts
Vintage Croquet
Participants / spectators welcome. Bring along a picnic and join in the fun!
Birr Castle Demesne admission charges apply
Birr Castle Demesne • Time: 3pm

Mixed Tag Rugby
Frank Egan Memorial Cup
Followed by BBQ and family entertainment
Moorpark Sports Club • Time 4pm

Vintage Car Rally
Travelling through neighbouring towns and villages en-route.
Arrival at The Thatch at 5pm & Emmet Square at 7pm.

S E 10 Brass
London based brass band S E 10 make their first appearance in Birr to fanfare the arrival of the Vintage Cars! The ensemble has a rich diversity of orchestral and chamber music experience with members having performed with the Royal Philharmonic, and World Youth Orchestra, as well as in West End Shows. Come out and enjoy their tooting tunes!
Venue: Emmet Square • Time: 7pm (Also playing later at The Swan)

Official unveiling of improvements to Main Street
by Birr Town Council
Live Music, street entertainment and BBQ (kindly sponsored by Birr Town Council)
Emmet Square • Time: 7pm

OPW Art of the State exhibition
Reflections is the ninth exhibition of Irish art organised jointly by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Office of Public Works.
The exhibition includes recent examples of painting, print-making and sculpture in both representational and abstract modes, reflecting what is happening in the vibrant contemporary art scene in Ireland.
Official opening by Minister Tom Parlon at 7.30pm, Birr Technology Centre

Jim Doherty & Honor Heffernan
in association with Seniors Money present
We’re Old-Fashioned
Celebrated Irish Jazz pianist, Jim Doherty, and one of Ireland’s best known singers, Honor Heffernan, team up to take an irreverent look back to a time when good music was popular and popular music was good. The resulting show features music from “The Great American Songbook” given a 21st-Century treatment. Names such as Porter, Gershwin, and Rodgers & Hart feature and tunes from some more greats, including, Duke Ellington and Jerome Kern are also recalled. Honor Heffernan whose elegant beauty and faultless singing triumph with these classic song choices. Doherty’s witty stories surrounding the relevant composers and the times they lived in adds to the mix, with some hilarious personal anecdotes. “Doherty is the Pavarotti of palaver”. A nationwide Irish tour opens here at Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival – this promises to be a truly great night’s entertainment. “The evening kicked off with Jerome Kern’s I’m Old Fashioned and from then on all was bliss” (Hugh Leonard, Sunday Independent)
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre • Time: 8pm • Tickets: €16 / €14 • Box Office 057 9122911

Sunday 13 August top

Songs of Praise ~ Flower Festival
See Saturday
St Brendan’s Church of Ireland • Time: 2pm – 9pm

Vintage Parade
Starting at 3pm.
Fantastic family entertainment throughout the afternoon including street theatre, brass and pipe bands, vintage cars and bikes, Goldwing Owners Club of Ireland, horses and carriages, floats, dancers, clowns, and lots more.
All ages welcome to participate in parade – contact Majella Kennedy 057 9120996 for details.
See Parade Route on map • Parade registration at Marian Hall Car Park 1pm

After Parade Entertainment
Festivities continue throughout the town:
Emmet Square: parade performers, jugglers, clowns and live music
The Sunrise Inn Street Party: BBQ, face painting, treats for children, puppet show.
County Arms Hotel: Bouncing castles and BBQ.

S E 10 brassband
(see Saturday)
Catch up with SE 10: In the Parade, 3pm, at The Crescent 4.30pm and Green St, 6pm

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
in association with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre host
Fluid performance troupe in association with Mayo Artsquad Salome
by Oscar Wilde
This dynamic, energetic and eclectic performance fuses puppetry, dance and classical singers in a dramatic puppet opera. An ancient tale of treachery, betrayal, and lost love Salome is played out in the context of a puppet opera as life size puppets bring the epic tale to life.
Supported by Mayo County Council and FAS this performance is a community based project and is a collaboration between a multicultural community cast and a group of national and international artists living in Mayo.
Audience of 16 years upwards. (Performance: approx 1 hour) Birr Theatre & Arts Centre. €12 (Friends: priority). 8pm

Tony Oscar & Kuban Orishas
8 piece Cuban band and world rhythms DJ.
Tony Oscar returns with his succulent mix of Rap, Funk, Hip-Hop, R&B, Merengue, Cha-cha-cha, Afro-Cuban Jazz rhythms and hot Salsa to fill the Festival dance floor and keep the party jumping!
Moorpark Sports Club Admission: €10 • Time: 11pm • Strictly over 18’s

Monday 14 August top

Birr Vintage Week in association with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Drama, Drama, Everywhere!
Workshop: An introduction to Drama for adults with a learning disability.
Facilitated by Nicola Kealy and three of her Drama students from the Daughters of Charity, Blackrock.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing and bring water in case it’s a hot sunny day. Oh! and most importantly don’t forget to bring your smile!
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre 057 9122911 Course Fee: €10 Times: 10.30am – 4pm

Songs of Praise ~ Flower Festival
(See Saturday)
St Brendan’s Church of Ireland • Time: 12pm – 6pm

Birr Stage Guild present
Lunchtime Concert
County Arms Hotel • Time: 1pm

Walking Tour of Birr
Starting at County Arms Hotel, 2.30pm

Carpe Diem presents
Kombucha Yoga Tour
After a hectic Festival weekend, come and chill out by the River Camcor for a relaxing one hour yoga session. All levels welcomed.
Camcor Park (weather permitting, otherwise Scurragh Community Centre) Time: 12 noon

Kids Treasure Hunt
Gather at Scout Hall (Marian Hall) • Time 3-5pm • Free Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tom O’Reilly Memorial Car Treasure Hunt
Fun for all the family. Starts: Emmet Square
Registration: Melbas Night Club • Time: 6pm

AIB Press Photographers Association of Ireland Exhibition
Some of the most distinguished and acclaimed press photographs from 2005 form the esteemed AIB PPAI Exhibition, showcasing and commemorating excellence in the field of Irish press photography.
Birr Technology Centre, Mill Island • Official Opening 6.30pm

Garden Music Session
An intimate evening of live acoustic music by local and visiting musicians in a garden atmosphere. Proceeds in aid of Hospice Care.
Tickets: €20 available from Festival Office on Sunday 13 August, 1pm

(Limited to 2 per person). The Chestnut

Tuesday 15 August top

Golf Competition
Mens Open Singles Golf Competition
The Glenns, Birr • Time: All day • Contact: Mary 057 9120082

Birr Resource Centre with Birr Parent and Toddler Group (Babog) present
Children’s Vintage Fancy Dress & Teddy Bear’s Picnic
“If you go down to Birr Resource Centre today, you’re sure of a big surprise! Because today’s the day the Teddy Bears have their pic-nic!”
Toddler groups usual weekly meeting with a special vintage fancy dress for Toddlers. Parents/guardians can join in the fun and do the same, if you wish!! Remember to bring teddy!
Family Resource Centre, Glebe Street • Time: 10.30-12.30

Boggy Piles
Workshop for kids, making sculptures from turf, with Rozzie, Bernie and a local turf expert! (Prizes will be given)
Tin Jug Studios. 11-12.30 . Donation: €3

Walking Tour of Birr
Starting at Emmet Square, 11am (Finishing at Oxmantown Mall)

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival presents
The Story of my Broken Heart
A short lunchtime play directed by Nicola Kealy and performed by the Breaking Ground initiative.
There is fun for all ages in this incredible and funny tale of how one young girl’s broken heart found it’s way home and the adventures and near misses it had along the way.
Performances: 12.30pm on Oxmantown Mall and 2.30pm at Birr Castle Courtyard FREE
(Weather permitting – alternatively Birr Theatre & Arts Centre)

Birr Stage Guild present
Lunchtime Concert
Kelly’s • Time: 1pm

Kids Pavement Art
Time: 3pm • Venue: Cornmarket Lane • FREE
(in case of rain, bring markers/crayons/colour pencils to The Marian Hall)
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
37th Annual Antique & Fine Art Fair
Furniture, silver, clocks, garden furniture, jewellery, linen, pictures, Willie Wolfe coins, medals, stamps and postcards and PJ Tynan’s booksales – something to suit everyone. Official opening at 2.30pm by Mundy
County Arms Hotel • Time: 2.30pm – 9.30pm

Garden Music Session
See Monday for details) Enright’s

Carlsberg Donkey Derby
All the family welcome for a fun filled evening…support local businesses, pubs, clubs & societies as they hee-haw their way to what is unquestionably the Derby Title of the Year!! (Jockeys over 18’s only)
Sheep Races: place your bets on speedy sheep with teddy-bear jockeys! Fun for all the family.
Beach Volleyball: Final, followed by BBQ
County Arms Hotel grounds • Time: 7.30pm

Wedneday 16 August top

Golf Competition
Four Ball: any combination
The Glenns, Birr • Time: All day • Contact: Mary 057 9120082

Walking Tour of Birr
Starting at Emmet Square • Time: 11am

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival presents
The Story of my Broken Heart
(See Tuesday)
Performances: 12.30pm on Oxmantown Mall and 2.30pm at Birr Castle Courtyard FREE
(Weather permitting – alternatively Birr Theatre & Arts Centre)

37th Annual Antique & Fine Art Fair
(See Tuesday)
County Arms Hotel • Time: 1.00pm – 9.30pm

Birr Stage Guild present Lunchtime Concert
Venue: Dooly’s Hotel • Time: 1pm

Kids Scavenger Hunt
Venue: Gather at Scout Hall (Marian Hall) • Time: 3-5pm • Free
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

U-12 Scooter & U-10 Go-Kart Races
Scooter, Go-Kart & helmet must be supplied by entrant. No helmet – No Entry!
Time: 7pm • Venue: Marian Hall Car Park • FREE
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Birr GAA Hurling Tournament
Billy Nevin Memorial Cup: Junior Hurling League. 6pm
Tommy Erritty Memorial Cup: Senior Hurling Tournament. 7.30pm
St Brendan’s Park

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival presents
Roesy
Following the success of the launch of his album Colour me Colourful in March this year Roesy is back, by very popular demand, to headline Birr Vitnage Week & Arts Festival. Roesy’s music and paintings have been described as richly textured, bright and immediate. Inspired strongly by imagination and dreams, they convey a sense of innocent wonder, the magical world that we sometimes glimpse out of the corner of our eye. "Tender-hearted Irish singer/songwriters are two a cent but Roesy’s the best of the lot" - RTE Guide
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre • 8pm • €18 • Box Office 057 9122911

1st Annual Lilo Relay Race and Real Deal Pool Party
The Springs Leisure Club, County Arms Hotel • Time: 9pm. (Numbers limited Call 057-9120193 for tickets)

Thursday 17 August top

Golf Competition
4 ball: any combination
The Glenns, Birr • Time: All day • Contact: Mary 057 9120082

Percussion Workshop
Following the success of last year’s percussion workshops, children have another opportunity to experience percussion instruments from around the world. Facilitated by Eddie O’Neill
10am – 12pm: 6-10yrs;
12.15pm – 12.45pm: 4-6yrs;
1.30pm – 3.30pm: 10-16yrs
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre 057 9122911 • Book Now – places limited. Course Fee: €5

37th Annual Antique & Fine Art Fair
(See Tuesday) County Arms Hotel • Time: 12.00pm – 6.00pm

Birr Stage Guild present
Lunchtime Concert
The Sunrise Inn • Time: 1pm

Children’s Fun Day at Birr Swimming Pool
Swimming Gala: 3-4pm • Open Session: 4-5pm • FREE • (Numbers limited)

Camcor Capers
Bonnie Baby Competition (7pm), Mongrel Dog Show (7,30pm), Bouncing Castles, Face Painting, lots of fun for all the family. Highlights include live music by Robbie Williams Tribute Band and spectacular fireworks display. Venue: Camcor Park • Time: 7pm–Late • Admission: €2
(In Aid of Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival)

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival presents
Show Us Your Shorts
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is proud to showcase an eclectic selection of recent work by emerging local and guest filmmakers. This diverse and innovative selection of experimental short films promises to entertain and excite film fans with a variety of themes and genres. Further information available during the festival.
Films include: Desire and Decay, Sean Brannigan (Director/Producer); How To Watch Television, Nicky Larkin (Writer/Director).
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre 057 9122911 • €5 • 8pm

Friday 18 August top

Percussion Workshop
Following the success of last year’s percussion workshops, children have another opportunity to experience percussion instruments from around the world. Facilitated by Eddie O’Neill
10am – 12pm: 6-10yrs;
12.15pm – 12.45pm: 4-6yrs;
1.30pm – 3.30pm: 10-16yrs
Book Now – places limited. Course Fee: €5

Chocolate Friday
Pottery Painting Workshop with Nichelle Bramley of KilnKraft. For kids and adults. Price includes Chocolatey Treats! (Booking essential 057 9121818)
Tin Jug Studios 10.30am-1pm. €25 pp

Carpe Diem presents
Kombucha Yoga
Frazzled by too many late nights during the Festival? Revive and chill out by the River Camcor for a relaxing one hour yoga session. All levels welcomed.
Carpe Diem Kombucha - for an overall feeling of well-being.
Camcor Park (weather permitting, otherwise Scurragh Community Centre • Time: 12 noon

Birr Stage Guild present
Lunchtime Concert
Birr Castle Tearooms • Time: 1 pm

Eileen Casey – Poetry reading
Supported by Poetry Ireland
Eileen Casey, widely published poet, journalist and fiction writer and recipient of the OCC 2006 Tyrone Guthrie Award is originally from Birr and now based in Dublin. She has been nominated twice for a Sunday Tribune Hennessy Award in 2004 (poetry) and again in 2005 (fiction). Of ‘Seagulls’, her second chapbook, American Poet/essayist Tom Lynch wrote: ‘Eileen Casey’s work is marked by such deliberate grace and reverence for the senses – she is a reliable witness and deft metaphorist. These poems, driven by the image and intellect, are luminous and true’.

An open mic session will be held before Eileen’s readings (Register at box office on the night)
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre • Time: 8pm • Tickets: €5/4 • Box Office 057 9122911

VINTAGE FINALE
Display of entries to the Vintage Photography Competition & presentation of all Festival prizes.
Carlsberg Bulls Eye Quiz Final
Teams representing Festival Sponsor Pubs compete, using their darts skills and answering general knowledge questions.
Carlsberg Charades Final
Teams representing Festival Sponsor Pubs go head to head for this coveted prize.
Vintage Idol Competition
Pop-idol wannabe’s (18 yrs+) sing for the prestigious Vintage Idol crown. Fans must be there to vote by SMS (text message) for your favourite performer. Rise to Stardom! Entrants to Festival Office by Thurs 6pm.
Where will the perpetual trophies reside for the year ahead? Come along and support your local pub, young performers and friends for a fantastic night of fun! Late night entertainment with DJ Dickie D (www.millislandmusic.com)

Strictly over 18’s.
Venue: Moorpark Sports Club • 8 ‘til late •
Admission: Free before 11pm (€10 thereafter). Limited numbers so be early!