Ireland 2008 pt. 3

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Myrddin

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04/29/08 07:17 PM

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These are pictures of our trip to Birr, County Offaly. This trip was near the end of our visit to Ireland, and it was actually the most enjoyable sight-seeing trip for me.

Birr is the location of Birr Castle, the home of the Earls of Rosse. The castle is the home of the current Earl, so it is off limits to the public. The town was at one time known as Parsonstown.

The Earls of Rosse, the Parsons family, have traditionally been an aristocratic family of scientists and inventors. The Third Earl of Rosse, built a telescope, named the "Leviathan of Parsonstown", in 1845. The huge 72 inch reflecting telescope, was the biggest telescope in the world, until the construction in the USA, of the 100-inch Hooker Telescope, in 1917.

A later member of the Parsons family, was the inventor of the steam turbine, which was a very important engineering advancement.

This visit to Birr was food for two of my interests; science and history.

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#267011 - 04/30/08 04:40 PM Re: Ireland 2008 pt. 3 [Re: Myrddin]
Myrddin Sci/Tech Mod Registered: 01/17/04 Loc: Earth, Solar System, Milky Way	Edit: That execution was of three men not two. The Civil War was actually the origin of the two largest political parties in Ireland. _________________________ In varietate concordia - EU motto For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love. - Carl Sagan
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#267024 - 04/30/08 05:46 PM Re: Ireland 2008 pt. 3 [Re: Myrddin]
Aint Foreign Policy/Pagan Circle Moderator Registered: 02/25/04 Loc: Deep In It	That's no hobby shop telescope there. I read that there is a smaller telescope at the Birr castle. Is it true that people still live in that castle? Aside from electricity and appliances, I wonder what modernizations have been made. Edited by Aint (04/30/08 05:48 PM)
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#267091 - 05/01/08 05:32 AM Re: Ireland 2008 pt. 3 [Re: Aint]
Myrddin Sci/Tech Mod Registered: 01/17/04 Loc: Earth, Solar System, Milky Way	Originally Posted By: Aint That's no hobby shop telescope there. I read that there is a smaller telescope at the Birr castle. There was a smaller telescope, but it has been dismantled now. There is a museum near the entrance to the grounds, and there were many parts of telescopes, models of ships, old electrical devices, and displays of the other interests and inventions of the family. Quote: Is it true that people still live in that castle? Aside from electricity and appliances, I wonder what modernizations have been made. I am sure its quite modern inside the castle, as it is somebody's family home. I am also sure that the many of the old paintings and furniture which the family accumulated over the centuries are there. Yes, the 7th Earl of Rosse lives in the castle, along with his partner, and perhaps other members of his family. The castle looks magnificent from the outside, but it is off-limits to the public.
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