2 Best Hotels in Birr, The Midlands

Originally a coach house, this unpretentious country hotel in Birr's central square, just a five-minute walk to Birr Castle, began life in 1747 and has retained its old-style homeyness with well-appointed rooms decorated with neutral furnishings. An open fire and relaxed welcome invite you in; the bustling bar and coffee shop are popular with locals and serve lunches. For a more formal dining experience, you could try the Emmet Restaurant, where lamb rump, roast duck, supreme of chicken or striploin steak are main course highlights. The hotel has added the atmospheric Bianconi Courtyard, a bar where, in favorable weather, you may indulge in alfresco dining, and in 2019 modernized its Coachhouse Bar for casual snacks and drinks.

Sheltered beneath the eaves of Birr Castle on a riverbank, this converted cut-stone storehouse—built to store malt for Guinness in 1810—is a good option for families and offers special rates for children. The spacious guest rooms have small windows, country-pine furniture, and simple matching floral drapes and spreads. Soft lighting creates a homey atmosphere, as do the friendly owners, who will point you in the direction of area attractions.