Irish President visits Royal Society

As part of his state visit to the UK the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins today visited the Royal Society. His visit was a celebration of the scientific links between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The President addressed an audience including representatives from the Royal Society, Science Foundation Ireland, Government agencies and members of the scientific community in Ireland and the UK.  

The President had the opportunity to view artefacts that celebrate a history of scientific collaboration between the UK and Ireland including chemical notebooks and letters of Robert Boyle FRS.  Also on show were a photograph of the groundbreaking telescope built at Birr Castle for William Parsons, former President of the Royal Society with a record of his observations.  The President was also introduced to British and Irish researchers who are currently collaborating on research projects. 

Speaking at the event Professor John Pethica, Vice-President of the Royal Society said: “Collaboration is increasingly central to science and the ties between Britain and Ireland have always been strong.  Robert Boyle was one of the founding fathers of the Royal Society and Irish based Fellows continue to play an important role at the Society.  There are also great collaborations between young researchers on either side of the Irish sea.  We hope that today’s visit will allow us to build on these strong bonds to help solve some of the big challenges facing humanity.”