Pictured at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the contribution of Thomas Grubb to astronomy in Ireland and worldwide were, from left, Minister of State for Skills, Training, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), and Professor Tom Ray, DIAS. PHOTO: Mark Stedman
John Halligan TD, Minister of State for Skills, Training, Innovation, Research and Development, has today (30.07.18) unveiled a plaque to commemorate the contribution of Thomas Grubb to astronomy in Ireland and worldwide.
In the 1830s, Thomas Grubb pioneered telescope manufacturing from his base close to Charlemont Bridge on Dublin’s Grand Canal. Now, the National Committee for Science and Engineering Commemorative Plaques, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) have come together to erect a permanent marker commemorating Grubb’s achievements.
The plaque unveiled today is located at the site of Grubb’s first engineering works in Dublin – on Canal Road in Dublin 6. The site is now Construction House, the headquarters of CIF.
Commenting today, Minister John Halligan said: “Like myself, Thomas Grubb was a Waterford native, hailing from Portlaw.
“He first began producing telescopes in Dublin in 1837. His firm grew rapidly over the years and became one of the leading telescope manufacturers in the world. At its height, Grubb and Son employed over 400 people.
“Grubb’s contribution to astronomy was immense: his firm contributed to telescopes in India, Australia, South Africa and the Crimea, as well as Greenwich and Dublin. I am delighted to be commemorating his significant achievements by unveiling this plaque today.”
Pictured at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the contribution of Thomas Grubb to astronomy in Ireland and worldwide were Minister of State for Skills, Training, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD (2nd from right), Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), Tom Parlon (right), Director General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Professor Tom Ray (2nd from left), DIAS, and Dr Brian Smyth, Chairman, National Committee for Commemorative Plaques for Science and Technology (NCCPST). PHOTO: Mark Stedman
Professor Tom Ray of DIAS – an expert in Astronomy – said: “Grubb’s work was of such high quality that much of the equipment the firm built is still in use today.
“A fine example of his work can be seen in Dunsink Observatory, part of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. This telescope, known as the South Refractor, is still used by the public to view the stars and planets. Despite being 150 years old, its Victorian clock mechanism and mechanics function perfectly.
“The instruments developed by the Grubb firm were critical in proving Einstein’s Theory of Gravity and revealing the presence of Dark Matter. A Grubb lens and coelostat – a device for feeding the lens with a stationary image of the sun – were used in the 1919 eclipse expedition that tested Einstein’s Theory; and were fundamental in proving Einstein correct. Both devices are now in the possession of DIAS.
“The 19th Century was a time of huge innovation and excitement in astronomy, and Ireland played a key role. It is fitting, therefore, that a permanent marker has now been erected to commemorate Thomas Grubb, Ireland’s telescope-maker extraordinaire.”
In addition to Minister Halligan and Professor Ray, today’s unveiling was attended by Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS; Tom Parlon, Director General of the CIF; and members of the history of science and astronomical communities in Ireland.
For further information, contact: Eva Dowling / Niamh Breathnach, Alice PR & Events. Tel: 01-5582151 / 083-1496045 / 085-1461231, Email: media@alicepr.com
About DIAS
DIAS was founded by Éamon de Valera in 1940 as a centre of excellence for advanced scholarship focused on three disciplines: Celtic Studies, Theoretical Physics and Cosmic Physics (encompassing Astronomy/Astrophysics and Geophysics). As the world’s second, and the Ireland’s only, Institute for Advanced Studies, it is a globally embedded institution which attracts scholars and academics from around the world. It conducts and publishes advanced research, and also leads Ireland’s participation in a number of international research endeavours which focus on big unanswered questions for mankind. Dunsink Observatory is part of DIAS and DIAS coordinates a range of national initiatives on behalf of government. Further information is available at www.dias.ie.
Great @thetimesIE article on recent findings on how plasma matter in the Sun’s atmosphere may hold the key to developing safe and efficient nuclear energy, a project that @petertgallagher, Head of the School of Astrophysics, collaborated on. Read - bit.ly/2WpQxr1
Some great coverage on DIAS's Postdoc scholar Eoin Carley's latest paper: "Irish scientists help unveil mystery of exotic matter in the sun's atmosphere" via @IrishTimesirishtimes.com/news/science/i…
Great to see Sergei Lebedev, Assistant Professor of Seismology at @dias_geophysics having his co-authored paper published in @NatureGeosci today! You can read the paper at: bit.ly/2Jqxoz2
What can black holes and quantum computers tell us about the other? This Wednesday at 7:15pm, in the Joly Lecture Theatre, @tcddublin Marika Taylor will present on this topic. This event is free but places must be booked at: bit.ly/2J64tzu. #DIASdiscovers
You're invited to join us for the @StpDias Statutory Public Lecture 2019 on 23 May 2019, 6pm by Prof. Don Zagier in @tcddublin. Prof. Zaigier will deliver an exciting look at 'Numbers, Knots, & Quantum Theory'. Info and tickets at: bit.ly/2JLsAUj#DIASdiscovers
As part of IQF 2019 on 22 May, Prof. Marika Taylor will explain what #BlackHoles might teach us about #QuantumComputing and conversely, what quantum theory implies about the fundamental properties of black holes. Register at bit.ly/2WuKgHo#DIASdiscovers
The annual Irish Quantum Foundations meeting will take place this year in @tcddublin on 23 & 24 May, bringing together Irish and international theoretical physicists who work fundamental theory and quantum foundations. More info and registration at maths.tcd.ie/~tristan/IQF20….
At last week's final #WhatIsLife lecture, Director of @StpDias Professor Werner Nahm contemplated the impact of Ada Yonath's work for the question 'what is life?' and tying into the impact and legacy of #Schrödinger. #DIASdiscovers
On Thursday, Werner Nahm had us 'thinking outside the box' at the fourth and final @DIAS_Dublin 'What is Life?' lecture series. The series commemorated the 75th anniversary of Erwin #Schrödinger's ground breaking series being published as a book. #DIASdiscovers
If you haven't booked your place at today's lunchtime lecture from the @StpDias, exploring the legacy of Schrödinger’s 'What is Life?' lectures and book, do so now at: bit.ly/2KZStSH It's te final one lecture of the series. #DIASdiscovers
Don't miss the 4th and final lecture in our #WhatisLife series with Prof Werner Nahm, Director of @StpDias, looking at ‘Beyond the ‘What is Life?’ lectures and book’. This lecture, at 1pm tomorrow, will explore the legacy of Professor Erwin Schrödinger. bit.ly/2KZStSH
30th July 2018: Minister John Halligan unveils plaque to commemorate ‘telescope-maker extraordinaire’, Thomas Grubb
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Last Updated: 3rd September 2018 by mary
John Halligan TD, Minister of State for Skills, Training, Innovation, Research and Development, has today (30.07.18) unveiled a plaque to commemorate the contribution of Thomas Grubb to astronomy in Ireland and worldwide.
In the 1830s, Thomas Grubb pioneered telescope manufacturing from his base close to Charlemont Bridge on Dublin’s Grand Canal. Now, the National Committee for Science and Engineering Commemorative Plaques, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) have come together to erect a permanent marker commemorating Grubb’s achievements.
The plaque unveiled today is located at the site of Grubb’s first engineering works in Dublin – on Canal Road in Dublin 6. The site is now Construction House, the headquarters of CIF.
Commenting today, Minister John Halligan said: “Like myself, Thomas Grubb was a Waterford native, hailing from Portlaw.
“He first began producing telescopes in Dublin in 1837. His firm grew rapidly over the years and became one of the leading telescope manufacturers in the world. At its height, Grubb and Son employed over 400 people.
“Grubb’s contribution to astronomy was immense: his firm contributed to telescopes in India, Australia, South Africa and the Crimea, as well as Greenwich and Dublin. I am delighted to be commemorating his significant achievements by unveiling this plaque today.”
Professor Tom Ray of DIAS – an expert in Astronomy – said: “Grubb’s work was of such high quality that much of the equipment the firm built is still in use today.
“A fine example of his work can be seen in Dunsink Observatory, part of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. This telescope, known as the South Refractor, is still used by the public to view the stars and planets. Despite being 150 years old, its Victorian clock mechanism and mechanics function perfectly.
“The instruments developed by the Grubb firm were critical in proving Einstein’s Theory of Gravity and revealing the presence of Dark Matter. A Grubb lens and coelostat – a device for feeding the lens with a stationary image of the sun – were used in the 1919 eclipse expedition that tested Einstein’s Theory; and were fundamental in proving Einstein correct. Both devices are now in the possession of DIAS.
“The 19th Century was a time of huge innovation and excitement in astronomy, and Ireland played a key role. It is fitting, therefore, that a permanent marker has now been erected to commemorate Thomas Grubb, Ireland’s telescope-maker extraordinaire.”
In addition to Minister Halligan and Professor Ray, today’s unveiling was attended by Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS; Tom Parlon, Director General of the CIF; and members of the history of science and astronomical communities in Ireland.
Further information is available at www.dias.ie.
ENDS
For further information, contact: Eva Dowling / Niamh Breathnach, Alice PR & Events. Tel: 01-5582151 / 083-1496045 / 085-1461231, Email: media@alicepr.com
About DIAS
DIAS was founded by Éamon de Valera in 1940 as a centre of excellence for advanced scholarship focused on three disciplines: Celtic Studies, Theoretical Physics and Cosmic Physics (encompassing Astronomy/Astrophysics and Geophysics). As the world’s second, and the Ireland’s only, Institute for Advanced Studies, it is a globally embedded institution which attracts scholars and academics from around the world. It conducts and publishes advanced research, and also leads Ireland’s participation in a number of international research endeavours which focus on big unanswered questions for mankind. Dunsink Observatory is part of DIAS and DIAS coordinates a range of national initiatives on behalf of government. Further information is available at www.dias.ie.
Follow DIAS on social media:
Category: DIAS, News
Great @thetimesIE article on recent findings on how plasma matter in the Sun’s atmosphere may hold the key to developing safe and efficient nuclear energy, a project that @petertgallagher, Head of the School of Astrophysics, collaborated on. Read - bit.ly/2WpQxr1
Some great coverage on DIAS's Postdoc scholar Eoin Carley's latest paper: "Irish scientists help unveil mystery of exotic matter in the sun's atmosphere" via @IrishTimes irishtimes.com/news/science/i…
Great to see Sergei Lebedev, Assistant Professor of Seismology at @dias_geophysics having his co-authored paper published in @NatureGeosci today! You can read the paper at: bit.ly/2Jqxoz2
What can black holes and quantum computers tell us about the other? This Wednesday at 7:15pm, in the Joly Lecture Theatre, @tcddublin Marika Taylor will present on this topic. This event is free but places must be booked at: bit.ly/2J64tzu. #DIASdiscovers
You're invited to join us for the @StpDias Statutory Public Lecture 2019 on 23 May 2019, 6pm by Prof. Don Zagier in @tcddublin. Prof. Zaigier will deliver an exciting look at 'Numbers, Knots, & Quantum Theory'. Info and tickets at: bit.ly/2JLsAUj #DIASdiscovers
As part of IQF 2019 on 22 May, Prof. Marika Taylor will explain what #BlackHoles might teach us about #QuantumComputing and conversely, what quantum theory implies about the fundamental properties of black holes. Register at bit.ly/2WuKgHo #DIASdiscovers
The annual Irish Quantum Foundations meeting will take place this year in @tcddublin on 23 & 24 May, bringing together Irish and international theoretical physicists who work fundamental theory and quantum foundations. More info and registration at maths.tcd.ie/~tristan/IQF20….
At last week's final #WhatIsLife lecture, Director of @StpDias Professor Werner Nahm contemplated the impact of Ada Yonath's work for the question 'what is life?' and tying into the impact and legacy of #Schrödinger. #DIASdiscovers
Martin Möllhoff, Director of Irish National Seismic Network spoke to @OceanFmIreland about yesterday's earthquake in Donegal. You can lsiten back at: oceanfm.ie/2019/04/30/ano… #DIASdiscovers
On Thursday, Werner Nahm had us 'thinking outside the box' at the fourth and final @DIAS_Dublin 'What is Life?' lecture series. The series commemorated the 75th anniversary of Erwin #Schrödinger's ground breaking series being published as a book. #DIASdiscovers
Another Earthquake recorded in Donegal by the Irish National Seismic Network. Magnitude 2.1. You can read more about it at tinyurl.com/y4bewx3h. #DIASdiscovers twitter.com/dias_geophysic…
If you haven't booked your place at today's lunchtime lecture from the @StpDias, exploring the legacy of Schrödinger’s 'What is Life?' lectures and book, do so now at: bit.ly/2KZStSH It's te final one lecture of the series. #DIASdiscovers
Don't miss the 4th and final lecture in our #WhatisLife series with Prof Werner Nahm, Director of @StpDias, looking at ‘Beyond the ‘What is Life?’ lectures and book’. This lecture, at 1pm tomorrow, will explore the legacy of Professor Erwin Schrödinger. bit.ly/2KZStSH