
At the Courthouse Yard
Everyone is welcome to drop in to The Courthouse Yard, where we have art materials and games for the young and young at heart and plenty of visual stimulation throughout the week!
All week
2pm-5pm
Drop-in arts activities & exhibitions

THE FLEA CIRCUS
Saturday 5 August
MOVING INDOORS TO
BIRR THEATRE & ARTS CENTE
12pm [SOLD OUT]
12.45pm [SOLD OUT]
2pm [LOW TICKETS]
2.45pm, 3.30pm
The highly-trained, teeny tiny fleas are coming to Birr. Don’t miss Jay Ryan’s Flea Circus, involving feats of astonishing bravery and breath-taking beauty – acrobatics, trapeze, high wire and more.
20-minute show, suitable for families (5+ years).
€5 + booking fees.
VINTAGE LUMINARIES
Wednesday 9 August / 10pm
For the Love of It
A trio of artists present a film about love, in five segments. Based on ancient Greek concepts but from a modern, youthful perspective.
Swift Story
An immersive audio visual installation inspired by the swift box installed on the building to provide a nesting site for the swifts made homeless when the roof was repaired.


UKRAINIAN FLOWER
PAINTING
Monday 7 August / 11am
Petrykivka Петриківський розпис
Join Katerina to learn this traditional technique of flower patterns through distinctive brush techniques on the traditional white background.
Petrykivka is a traditional Ukrainian decorative painting style, originating from the village of Petrykivka in Dnipropetrovsk oblast of Ukraine, where it was traditionally used to decorate house walls and everyday household items. The earliest known examples of this style date from the 18th century, but it continues to thrive and develop as a modern art form.
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Петрикі́вський ро́зпис, або «петрикі́вка», — українське декоративно-орнаментальне народне малярство. 5 грудня 2013 року петриківський розпис було внесено до Репрезентативного списку нематеріальної культурної спадщини людства ЮНЕСКО
€5 + booking fees
UKRAINIAN WINDING
DOLL WORKSHOP
Monday 7 August / 2pm
Motanka мотанка
The name winding doll comes from the word to wind; that is, to make a knotted doll from fabric without using a needle and scissors. Motanka is a symbol of well-being, goodness and hope. It performed the function of a talisman of human fate, and fate cannot be stabbed and cut. Colors also played an important role in the production of the Motanka doll: red - protection from diseases and evil spirits; yellow is the personification of the life-giving power of the Sun; green is a symbol of rebirth, health, youth and Mother Nature; blue and azure - continuous movement of healing water; brown was associated with Mother Earth and fertility; white - divine heaven, purity and harmony.
Назва «лялька-мотанка» походить від слова «мотати», тобто виготовляти з тканини вузликову ляльку, не використовуючи голку та ножиці. Мотанка — символ добробуту, добра й надії. Виконувала функцію оберегу людської долі, а долю не можна колоти й різати.
Важливу роль у виготовленні ляльки-мотанки відігравали й кольори: червоний — захист від хвороб і злих духів; жовтий — уособлення життєдайної сили Сонця; зелений — символ відродження, здоров’я, молодості й Матінки-Природи; синій і блакитний — безперервний рух цілющої води; коричневий асоціювали з Матір’ю-Землею та родючістю; білий — божественні небеса, чистота і гармонія.
€5 + booking fees


UKRAINIAN PAPER CUTTING WORKSHOP
Monday 7 August / 4pm
Vytynanky Витинан́ки
Vytynaty literally means;to cut out - it is an ornamental decoration of the home, which is carved (cut) with a knife or scissors from paper (both white and colored). Such products have long been used in Ukraine to decorate various corners of the home, namely walls, shelves, stoves, etc. The vytynanky shapes are often stylized figures of people, animals and plants. Vytynanky that were made for the religious feasts and holidays were more decorative than the ones used for everyday decoration.
«Витинати» означає дослівно «вирізати» — це орнаментальна прикраса житла, яка витята (вирізана) за допомогою ножа або ножиць з паперу (як білого, так і кольорового). Такі вироби в Україні здавна використовували для декорування різних куточків оселі, а саме стін, полиць, печі тощо.
€5 + booking fees
PARADE WORKSHOPS
Saturday 5 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm
The Courthouse Yard will be a buzz of activity getting ready for the Parade. Come and help finish the Vintage Week float or make your own props to use as a spectator or participant.
Free, no booking required.


ART WALL
WORKSHOP
Sat 5 Aug / 2pm - 4pm
Mon 7 & Tues 8 Aug / 11am - 1pm
Wed 9 Aug / 12pm - 1pm
[SOLD OUT]
Cut, stick, paint, draw, create! We have a 14 metre long wall to fill and we need your help!
Suitable for all ages, families welcome.
€5 + booking fees (per workshop)
LUNCHTIME
BUSKERS
Tues 8 & Wed 9 August / 1pm
Pick up some lunch from one of our fabulous cafés and come to the Courthouse Yard. Listen to some music or join in and keep the kids happy with drop-in art activities and games.
Free, no booking required.


SOLD OUT
SHANNON BERGIN
ILLUSTRATION
WORKSHOP
Tuesday 8 August / 11am
Become an illustrator with Shannon whose debut illustrated book “Evie’s Christmas Wishes” was shortlisted for the 2021 Irish Book Awards.
Suitable for Age 8+.
€5 + booking fees.
If you'd like to be added to the Waiting List, please call our ticket agent on 057 91 22911 between 1pm and 5pm, Monday-Friday.
CANCELLED
SLIME LABS
Wednesday 9 August / 11am
** Due to unforeseen circumstances, Planet Science Kids will not be able to join us in Birr.
All customers have been contacted re: a refund. For queries, please contact our Ticket Agent, Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, on (057) 91 22911 between 1pm-5pm, Monday-Friday.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.


RED EMBERS
BELLY DANCERS
Wednesday 9 August / 8pm
Come and see a fantastic cultural dance show with The Red Embers of Tullamore. Their dance style includes Cabaret, Tribal and Oriental Bellydance.
Free, no booking required.
PAINT POURING
WORKSHOP
Thursday 10 August
12pm & 2pm
Explore this exciting medium with Terri Dale Kearney, learn some different techniques and bring out your inner creative artist!
Duration: 1 hour.
12pm: Adults & Teens. €10 [SOLD OUT]
2pm: Children 5+. €5 [SOLD OUT]

STANDING YOGA
& GIJONG
Friday 11 August / 5.30pm
Come as you are with your family and friends, no equipment needed, just flat shoes or runners as we embody & celebrate the values of Birr Vintage Week, along with Sacred Local Narrative in a slow flow unity of nourishing movement. Available to all levels. 20 minutes duration.
Free, no booking required.