New space at Birr Castle will advance astronomical education

The Low Frequency Array radio telescope at Birr Castle, known as I-LOFAR, has contributed significantly to international space research since it was installed in 2017.

Building on that success, a refurbished education centre was opened recently and the Astronomical Midlands Schools and Public Engagement Programme was launched.

I-LOFAR head Prof Peter Gallagher of Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, says: "AstroLands will open new conversations with groups that have had little involvement with science, technology, engineering and maths using this unique new facility at Birr. This is a wonderful opportunity to carry forward the rich scientific heritage of Birr . . . and inspire the next generation of scientific explorers."

The initiative was made possible with the support of Trinity College Dublin, Birr Scientific & Heritage Foundation, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Offaly County Council.

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Funded by Science Foundation Ireland's Discover Programme and the European Space Education Resource Office, AstroLands will create an engaging, inspirational and multi-use space in the I-LOFAR Education Centre, stage day-long and week-long space camps, and workshops for upper primary and lower secondary school teachers based around the National Junior Certificate themes of earth and space.