About our Festival
The ethos of Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival is to celebrate, connect, share, transform and surprise!
The original 'Birr Vintage Week' began back in 1968 by celebrating the unique Georgian heritage of the town of Birr and town all things vintage! Now, almost 54 years later, our Festival is nationally-acknowledged as a unique historical, cultural and community-focused celebration.
The people of Birr, those who live here and those who return for the Festival, are enormously proud of Vintage Week. It's a special time when our community comes together to honour and celebrate our town's rich culture and heritage. It's a testament to the special place the Festival holds in people's hearts.
So many people have been involved with the Festival over the years, from organisers, to funders and sponsors, volunteers and thousands of spectators.... it's a shining example of community.
The history
Offaly Libraries has put together a fascinating insight into the wonderful development of Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival over the years
Written by librarian and Birr native Julie McGuirk.
Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival 2022
29 July - 7 August
PLANS FOR 2022
We are encouraging all community groups to roll in with their traditional vintage activities and to revisit and revive some of the old favourites.
How about bringing back the Barman’s Race, Vintage Bike Run, Birr’s Got Talent and the Bed Push?
These events happen because the community makes them happen and we are reaching out to everyone to get involved.
A new initiative for 2022 is the use of the Courthouse Yard as an Arts venue. There will be visual art, music and theatre and it will be a place to drop by and soak up the atmosphere, take part in a workshop or enjoy a performance.
Festival favourites will be back – the Vintage Sunday Parade, pub competitions, Kid’s Pavement Art, Kids and Car Treasure Hunts, Vintage Luminaries and the Visual Arts Trail, Crinkill Soapbox Derby and the amazing Birr Air Display.
After 2 years of lockdown 2022 will see a return to Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival as we all know it!
MEET THE TEAM
Janine Wilson
Board of Directors
Caroline Conway
Arts Coordinator
Vacant
Parade Coordinator
Emma Nee Haslam
Board of Directors
Colm Croffy
Birr Festivals Project Coordinator
Cailin Keaveny
Board of Directors
Rebecca Kelly
Birr Festivals PR & Marketing Coordinator
Vacant
Honorary Chair
Vacant
Market Coordinator
Vacant
Fundraising & Sponsorship
John Johnson
Technician
Vacant
Secretary
Vacant
Community Events Coordinator
Vacant
Health & Safety Officer
Vacant
Fireworks Project Coordinator
Vacant
Treasurer
Jamie McCormack
Children's Events Coordinator
Vacant
Child Protection Officer