Beguiling Birr finds its Voice

The impact made by the Festival of Music and Voice on its introduction last year was, according to the organisers, “simply immense”

Richard Thomas: last year’s winner of the Trench Award at Birr went on to win the all-Ireland Freemasons’ Young Musician of the Year award Pic: Frances Marshall

There is good reason to visit the heritage town of Birr at any time, but especially now at May bank holiday time (May 4-7), into which slot the Co Offaly town has placed its annual Festival of Music and Voice. The impact made by the festival on its introduction last year was, according to the organisers, “simply immense”, so a terrific occasion is expected.

This town, which is steeped in Georgian atmosphere, contains ...