Birr Outdoor Education

Birr OETC is a non-profit making centre affiliated to the Department of Education and Skills and under the auspices of Laois & Offaly ETB. The centre was set up in 1989 by Co Offaly VEC and has grown to an all year round residential centre.

The centre is situated in the Georgian town of Birr and have a four acre site on the outskirts of the town. They have three main facility locations Birr, Banagher and Cadamstown. They offer outdoor education courses to groups of people from all ages and sectors of the community. Courses are flexible and programmed to meet the needs of each individual group. From Coláiste Muire’s point of view we ensure that the programme designed for our school meets the requirements of GAISCE’s Bronze Medal awards.

All staff hold relevant outdoor instructor certifications gained through long experience and rigorous assessment by National Governing Bodies, and key staff have further qualifications making them technical experts in their field.

Additionally, all their staff receive a comprehensive induction programme and in-house training which includes policy procedures, health and safety training, PPE and legislation, Child Protection, Manual handling, risk management as well as the practical elements of coaching young people.

Facilities and Accommodation

Based in Birr their main building is open all year round and can accommodate up to 74 persons in dormitory style hostel accommodation. They have 3 separate dormitories, two upstairs (22 + 18 beds) and one downstairs (28 beds). Dormitories are simply furnished with bunk beds and under-bed storage, a sheet and a covered pillow.  Participants must bring a sleeping bag/duvet. They also have a four acres site that accommodates 100 plus for camping with electricity and water facilities.

Birr OETC have two main meeting halls with projector & multi media displays, WI-FI, Whiteboards, Flip Charts etc. Their main dining hall can accommodate 48 persons at one time.

 

Activities

Water Based

Canoeing

Kayaking

Gorge Walking

Raft Building

Body Building

Body Surfing

Pier Jumping

Coasteering

 

Land Based

Rock Climbing

Abseiling

Archery

Orienteering

Hillwalking

Caving

Night Line

Initiative Games

Indoor Rock Climbing

Climbing Tower

 

TY 2021/22 group visited Birr OETC from 12 – 14 September  2022.