Birr is located in central Ireland and has a population of approximately 4,000 people. It is known for being one of the finest Georgian towns in Ireland, with many historic buildings constructed by the Lord Rosse family in that architectural style. A major attraction is Birr Castle, where the third Earl of Rosse built one of the largest telescopes in the world in the 1840s, which drew astronomers from around the globe. The town holds an annual vintage week festival every August with events, parades of vintage vehicles and people in costume.