Introduction by Lord Rosse
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Brendan, Earl of Rosse
© Birr Castle Archives |
Welcome to Birr Castle Demesne web site. This web site is based around the lives and achievements of the Parsons family over the last four hundred years, and their contributions to astronomy, photography, engineering and botany. I hope you enjoy your visit to our new web site. and we look forward to welcoming you on a voyage of discovery at Birr Castle Demesne in the near future. |
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Latest News | May Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this May | | Click here for more information. | | | | June Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this June | | Click here for more information. | | | | July Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this July | | Click here for more information. | | | | August Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this August | | Click here for more information. | | | | September Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this September | | Click here for more information. | | | | October Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this October | | Click here for more information. | | | | November Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this November | | Click here for more information. | | | | December Events | | Events in Birr Castle Demesne this December | | Click here for more information. | | | | Admission Rates 2008 | | | Click here for more information. | | |
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Ireland's Historic Science Centre
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Ireland's Historic Science
Centre © Birr Castle Archives |
Ireland's Historic Science Centre contains astronomical instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equipment used by the Third and Fourth Earls and Mary, Countess of Rosse, in the middle and late 1800s. Also on display is electrical and engineering equipment originally belonging to Charles Parsons and used in his experiments as well as a large area devoted to the botanical work carried out in the Demesne. The whole collection is housed in the restored stables of the castle. |
The Great Telescope
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A group of visitors watching
the Great Telescope being
put through its paces
© Birr Castle Archives |
During the 1840's and starting from virtually first principles, the third Earl of Rosse designed and had built the mirrors, tube and mountings for a 72 inch reflecting telescope which was the largest in the world at that time and remained so for three quarters of a century. With this instrument, situated near the middle of Ireland, Lord Rosse was able to study and record details of immensely distant stellar objects and to provide evidence that many of these mysterious nebulae were actually galaxies located far outside our own. |
Birr Castle
Birr Castle is home to Lord and Lady Rosse and their family and, as such, it is not open to the public. The images on 'Birr Castle' page (in 'About us' Section) show different views of the Castle, the buildings and grounds around the demesne.
Birr Castle complete with
the flagpole which featured
in the 'Telescope' Earl's
experiments
© Birr Castle Archives |
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