Birr Mart Monday Cattle Sale

Birr Mart on Pound Street holds a weekly cattle sale every Monday morning, giving farmers in the south of the county a livestock outlet independent of the larger Tullamore mart. The sale starts at 10:30am and handles a general mix of cattle including stores, forward stores and finished animals from farms around Birr, Roscrea and the wider south Offaly and north Tipperary area. It is a smaller, more local fixture than the midweek sales in Tullamore, but a steady weekly outlet for the area around Birr.

What to expect

Cattle are penned and available to view before the 10:30am start, with lots drafted by weight, age and type so buyers can walk the sheds ahead of bidding. The ring is run in the traditional style with an auctioneer calling each pen, and buyers include local finishers, farmers restocking after selling their own cattle, and dealers buying for onward sale. Birr’s position close to the Tipperary border means the mart draws sellers and buyers from both counties, giving it a slightly different mix of stock to the marts further north in Offaly. The mart also runs a separate Thursday sale dedicated to dairy and suckler cattle, giving farmers in the area two fixed weekly sale days at the same yard rather than one.

Getting there

Birr Mart is on Pound Street, close to Birr town centre and a short walk from Emmet Square. The mart has on-site space for cars and livestock trailers, and is signposted from the main approach roads into Birr.

While you’re in Birr

Birr is one of Offaly’s best-known heritage towns, with Birr Castle Demesne and its gardens only a few minutes from the mart. There is more to see in Birr and across Co. Offaly.

Good to know

• Every Monday, cattle sale from 10:30am
• Venue: Birr Mart, Pound Street, Birr
• Free to attend as a spectator; commission applies to sellers
• Separate Thursday dairy and suckler sale at the same mart
• PRSA licence 2721 T