`Leviathan' part of bigger picture showing contribution of Irish scientists

The remarkable contribution made by Irish scientists to the advancement of knowledge is celebrated at a new science exhibition centre which has been officially opened to the public at Birr Castle Demesne, Co Offaly.

The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, yesterday opened "Ireland's Historic Science Centre", based in the grounds of Birr Castle.

The centre, together with the complete restoration of the castle's great telescope, the "Leviathan of Parsonstown", has involved an investment of £3.35 million.

Ireland's Historic Science Centre is a series of nine galleries highlighting the work and international contribution of many of Ireland's leading scientists.

In particular, it presents the achievements in astronomy, engineering and photography of two generations of the Parsons family, the Earls of Rosse, whose family seat is Birr Castle.

The exhibition centre was housed in the old stable block and coachhouse, said the Seventh Earl of Lord Rosse, Brendan Parsons, who described it as the completion of "our second great dream" after the telescope's full reconstruction.

Lord Rosse said the centre represented "a secret which we have kept from the world . . . that Ireland has a real scientific core".

The exhibition explains the work of the Third Earl, who turned his estate into a foundry and workshop to cast the metal mirror and build the great telescope in the early 1800s.

When completed, the Leviathan was the largest telescope in the world for many decades and brought to Birr some of the world's leading astronomers of the time. His son, the Fourth Earl, was a noted engineer and designed a new and more efficient steam turbine which transformed sea transport and, ultimately, electricity generation.

The exhibition also describes the many Irish scientists who either used the great telescope or who conducted important research through the 1800s and early 1900s. It provides a "who's who" of Ireland's greatest scientists of the time, a component of our heritage which is often ignored.

The galleries include many artefacts from these times, including experimental equipment, personal papers and old pictures. The displays were put together by Ms Ann Scroope, of Scroope Design of Dublin, who spent 18 months preparing the 620 square metres of exhibition space.

The development also includes the restoration of the original foundry and turf house.

"As we move into the new millennium it is vital that we carry forward our heritage and our great scientific excellence to future generations," said Mr Treacy. The historical importance of the scientific work which took place at Birr would be further highlighted with the issue in January of a millennium stamp to honour the telescope.

He thanked Lord Rosse and his wife, Countess Alison, for their hard work in developing the centre. He also praised both the financial and administrative support given by Dr A.J.F. O'Reilly, who served as chairman of the centre's development council, and Dr Edward Walsh, chairman of the Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation.

Dr Walsh said the centre "brings to life this unique piece of scientific heritage", adding that the project would continue into a new phase. "We are involved not with a national project but with an international project."

The Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation organised funding for the telescope restoration, including its fully working mirror, and the centre. It was raised from private donations, Leader II and from the State. Shannon Development secured £1,125,000 funding for the project.

The centre is now open to the public and can be visited all year round. However, while it is possible to inspect the telescope at close quarters, it is not possible at this stage for the public to observe through the telescope, apparently for insurance reasons and the fact that such observations of the heavens have to take place at night.

However, the centre has prepared a video which shows images which were taken through the telescope.