Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the 6th century. Still, the mid-18th-century Georgian buildings set the tone. Birr Castle is the pièce de résistance and an ideal place to while away a morning on a guided tour or spend the afternoon in an idyllic setting. For those who enjoy a riparian ramble, head to the Camcor River Walk. Birr is also noted for its variety of festivals throughout the year, including the longest-running hot-air-balloon championships in the world, held at the end of September.