The county Offaly town of Birr is renowned for the quality of its architecture, including many fine georgian townhouses and the much loved Birr castle and demesne. Commissioned by the Heritage Council and Offaly County Council, we were asked to develop a strategy that would bring the quality of Birr’s public realm up to that of its buildings. Proposals included redressing the impact of cars in the town centre, forging stronger links between the castle and the town, rediscovering the river and reviving Birr’s fine squares and malls to their former splendour.

The public realm plan for Birr received a Commendation at the Irish Landscape Institute awards in November 2009, and an Irish Planning Institute Commendation in the 2010 Awards for Planning Achievement.