Offaly 5K Series: Birr AC

The Birr AC 5K is the final race in the Healthy Offaly 5K Series - eight road races spread across the county from March through August, hosted by local athletics clubs. This one goes out on the last day of the series calendar, Sunday 16 August, and it tends to draw a strong field: seasoned club runners chasing series points, visitors racing for the first time in the midlands, and plenty of local supporters turning out for one of the highlights of Birr’s summer sporting calendar. Entry is free, so there is nothing stopping you showing up and giving it a go.

What to expect

The course is a single loop on paved roads, starting and finishing in the Syngefield Road area near Birr Rugby Club. It is an honest 5K: the terrain is classified as undulating, with around 35m of ascent across the route. The most demanding section comes at roughly 3.5km, where a climb of about 700m tests legs that may already be tiring - followed by a welcome downhill run toward the finish. It is manageable for any runner comfortable with a few gentle hills, but competitive enough at the front to attract top-class athletes from clubs around the country. Expect a well-organised chip-timed event run by a club that knows how to put on a road race.

Getting there

Birr sits on the R439 in south Offaly, roughly equidistant from Tullamore (30km north-east) and Roscrea (20km south), and easily reached from the M6 or M7 motorways. Bus Eireann runs services from Dublin via Tullamore to Birr, though the schedules are limited on Sundays - check Bus Eireann before relying on public transport for an early 10:00am start. Driving is the more practical option for most. Parking is generally available on side streets around Birr town centre and near the rugby club on race morning; arrive a little early as the town fills up quickly when a race is on.

While you’re in Birr

Birr is a Georgian market town with a lot to offer on a summer Sunday - the grounds of Birr Castle are open to visitors year-round and include the restored Great Telescope, one of the most interesting heritage sites in the midlands. A coffee and a walk along Emmet Square after the race makes for a fine morning. There is more to see in Birr and across Co. Offaly.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 16 August 2026, 10:00am start
• Free entry
• Course: single loop, undulating, 35m ascent - starts near Syngefield Road, Birr
• Race 8 of 8 in the Healthy Offaly 5K Series
• Register and check final course details at popupraces.ie
• Organised by Birr AC