Historic Science Centre, Birr Castle

This ambitious project tells the story of Ireland's scientific heritage, focusing not just on the remarkable work of the Rosse family from Birr, but on Ireland's many other scientific pioneers. The first phase was the restoration of the huge telescope devised by the third Earl of Rosse in the early 1840s and, for 70 years, the largest astronomical telescope in the world. Other aspects of the new centre will feature the device made by the fourth Earl of Rosse for measuring the heat of the moon, Victorian photography (a great interest of the third Earl's wife), microscopy (another family interest) and details of the world's first steam turbine ship, also the handiwork of a family member. The new centre will complement the heritage centre in the town.

Entrance through castle gateway, 0.8 km (0.5 miles) W of Birr town centre.
Admission charge.
Demesne open daily, all year, as the scientific centre.
Tel. (0509) 20336 or 20340

Heritage Centre: John's Hall.
Admission charge.
Tel. (0509) 21450.

Click here Irish Museums and Heritage Centres to buy the book from Amazon.com or here to buy the Appletree Press book from Amazon.co.uk. For more information of the Appletree Press title, click on: "Irish Museums and Heritage Centres".

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