The Parsons of Parsonstown

Lawrence Parsons , 2nd Earl of Rosse

Photograph of Drawing of 2nd Earl of Rosse (1758-1841)

Lawrence Parsons , 2nd Earl of Rosse

Photograph of Drawing of 2nd Earl of Rosse (1758-1841)

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Portrait of William Parsons ,Third Earl of Ross

Portrait of William Parsons, Third Earl of Ross. Famous Astronomer and owner of the Parsons Estate, Birr County Offaly

Portrait of William Parsons ,Third Earl of Ross

Portrait of William Parsons, Third Earl of Ross. Famous Astronomer and owner of the Parsons Estate, Birr County Offaly

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The influence of the Parsons family on the development of the town dates from c1620 when Sir Lawrence Parsons was first granted land which encompassed the ancient town of Birr.

Throughout the 18th and 19th century the Parsons family was a dominant influence on the development of the town Parsonstown. Of particular interest to us here is Sir Lawrence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse (1758-1841). Sir Lawrence pursued many interests throughout his lifetime . He was a MP for Trinity College from 1782-1790 and for Kings County from 1891-1807. He was a distinguished parliamentarian and opposed the 1801 Act of Union.

The second Earl was also interested in architecture and appears to have designed the adaptations and renovations begun at Birr Castle in 1803.

The third Earl Rosse, William Parsons (1800-1867) became renowned for his achievements in astronomy. In the 1840s he built the 54ft long Leviathan telescope, at the time the largest of its kind in the world. The telecope now forms part of the exhibitions at Birr Castle Historic Science Centre .

Further scientific and engineering feats were achieved by the third Earl's son Charles Parsons who invented the first marine steam engine . This invention revolutionised marine transport.

Down through the ages the Parsons brought their interests in politics, engineering, agriculture and architecture to bear on their role as landlords and the managers of the estate and town of Birr.

Birr Castle: The Ancestral Seat

Birr Castle

Birr Castle the ancestral seat of the Parsons family since 1668. The influence on the Parsons family on the development of the town dates from 1620 when Sir Lawrence Parsons was first granted land in the area. Since then the Parsons family has been the singlemost dominant influence in the development of the demesne town of Parsonstown. Most of the castle dates from the time of Sir Lawrence. A dwelling house was built around the gatehouse of the original fortress. This forms the centre of the present castle. Situated in the heart of Gaelic Ireland the castle was besieged in 1642 by the Molloys, Coughlands and Ormonders and again in 1690 when, garrisoned by the Williamites it was besieged by the army of the Duke of Berwick. Important changes in the architecture of the castle took place in the early 19th century when Sir William Parsons the 2nd baronet changed the entrance to the house to face the park. The castle was heightened and crenelated in Gothic style. Also the great gothic saloon was added . Generations of Parsons from the 2nd Earl onwards have displayed an interest in architecture literature science and engineering. The 2nd Earl built the worlds first suspension bridge over the river Camcor in 1826. The third Earl William Parsons is famous for his interest in Science and Astronomy . He constructed and built a giant telescope on the estate. This active family interest resulted in many other significant engineering and scientific developments. The Parsons family might be described as “improving landlords “ ie an active interest was taken in improving agricultural methods and housing for the estate . They influenced the layout of the town through the provision of housing for estate workers and the development of magnificent Georgrian Squares at Oxmanstown and Cumberland(now Emmet Square) The town bore the name of the Parsons family until 192 When it was changed to Birr

Birr Castle

Birr Castle the ancestral seat of the Parsons family since 1668. The influence on the Parsons family on the development of the town dates from 1620 when Sir Lawrence Parsons was first granted land in the area. Since then the Parsons family has been the singlemost dominant influence in the development of the demesne town of Parsonstown. Most of the castle dates from the time of Sir Lawrence. A dwelling house was built around the gatehouse of the original fortress. This forms the centre of the present castle. Situated in the heart of Gaelic Ireland the castle was besieged in 1642 by the Molloys, Coughlands and Ormonders and again in 1690 when, garrisoned by the Williamites it was besieged by the army of the Duke of Berwick. Important changes in the architecture of the castle took place in the early 19th century when Sir William Parsons the 2nd baronet changed the entrance to the house to face the park. The castle was heightened and crenelated in Gothic style. Also the great gothic saloon was added . Generations of Parsons from the 2nd Earl onwards have displayed an interest in architecture literature science and engineering. The 2nd Earl built the worlds first suspension bridge over the river Camcor in 1826. The third Earl William Parsons is famous for his interest in Science and Astronomy . He constructed and built a giant telescope on the estate. This active family interest resulted in many other significant engineering and scientific developments. The Parsons family might be described as “improving landlords “ ie an active interest was taken in improving agricultural methods and housing for the estate . They influenced the layout of the town through the provision of housing for estate workers and the development of magnificent Georgrian Squares at Oxmanstown and Cumberland(now Emmet Square) The town bore the name of the Parsons family until 192 When it was changed to Birr

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Birr Castle has been the ancestral seat of the Parsons family since 1668.

This castle was built on the site of an earlier fortress held by the Gaelic family, the Ely O'Carrolls. Most of the castle dates from the time of Sir Lawrence Parsons who was granted the land which encompassed the Ely O'Carroll Castle and the nearby town of Birr.

A dwelling house was built around the gatehouse of the original gaelic fortress. This forms the centre of the present castle.

Situated in the heart of Gaelic Ireland, the castle was besieged in 1642 by the Molloys, Mac Coghlans and Ormonders, and again in 1690 when, garrisoned by the Williamites, it was besieged by the army of the Duke of Berwick.

Further important changes in the architecture of the castle took place in the early 19th century when Sir William Parsons, the 2nd baronet, changed the entrance to the house to face the park. The castle was heightened and crenelated in the Gothic style. Also the great gothic saloon was added at this time.

The Leviathan Telescope at Birr

Drawing of the Leviathan Telescope at Birr built by William Parsons, the second Earl of Rosse.

Courtesy of Offaly County Library

The Leviathan Telescope at Birr
Courtesy of Offaly County Library

The Leviathan Telescope at Birr

Drawing of the Leviathan Telescope at Birr built by William Parsons, the second Earl of Rosse.

Courtesy of Offaly County Library

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The giant telescope, known as "The Leviathan of Parsonstown", was completed in 1845. It was designed and manufactured by William Parsons, the 3rd Lord of Rosse. Using this telescope he observed the spiral nebulae and recognised them as galaxies outside our own. The telecope was restored during the 1990s and now forms part of Birr Castle Scientific Centre.