birr outdoor education centre

The Centre currently provides a field studies programme which covers the Ecology section of the Leaving Certificate Biology and Junior Certificate Science courses. The centre provides work sheets and a step by step guide for students and teachers, for use in the field and in the laboratory. We use a number of habitats for our field studies programme, most commonly these are woodland, river and bogland. The Centre has a purpose built ecology laboratory and can also organise specific environmental days for adult or youth groups.
The activities available on courses are: Canoeing , camping, sailing, ecology, hillwalking, abseiling, rockclimbing, team games, orienteering and gorge walking .
Specific Skills training in Mountain Navigation, White Water Canoeing and Orienteering can be organised.
We provide:
* Comfortable Dormitory accommodation
* Fully equipped ecology equipment
* Modern indoor climbing wall
* Drying room
* Excellent food
* Spacious Dining Room
* Classrooms for language and adult education courses.
* Hostel facilities available
* Lounge/Games room
* Lecture room with audio/visual facilities
* Computer Room
* Soccer Pitch
* Basketball Court
* Tennis Court
Equipment List:
Sleeping Bag
An old pair of runners
Two full changes of clothes (tracksuits are great)
Swimming togs (if you have one)
Torch
Spare warm jumper
Gloves and wooly hat
Walking boots (if possible)
Toiletries
Remember - you may be doing activities that you have never done before and may be cold and wet - it is a good idea to take more than you think you may need!
If you are asthmatic or diabetic, don't forget your medication - especially inhalers.
It is also a good idea to take a camera - don't forget the film!

Birr has a central location in Ireland.
Distance from
Dublin 130 km
Cork 175 kim
Galway 100 km
Limerick 75 km
There is a regular bus sevice to and from Dublin and the other cities.

Birr O.E.C. is approved by the Association for Adventure Sports and by Bord Failte. We run a wide range of courses. These include:
Outdoor Education for schools and youth groups,
Adventure Summer Camps,
Team building/management Training,
Language/Recreation Holidays,
Adult and Continuing Education Courses.
The activities available on our courses are:
Canoeing, Camping, Sailing, Ecology, Hillwalking, Abseiling, Rockclimbing, Team Games, Orienteering, Gorge Walking, Boardsailing.
We can organise specific skills training in Mountain Navigation, white Water Canoeing and Orienteering.