The inaugural meeting of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (AOI) Strategy Oversight Board took place on this month at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
It marks the end of an important first year since the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the partners in September 2023. The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland is a unique North-South partnership of Armagh, Dunsink
and Birr Observatories.
These are three of the oldest Observatories in the world. Together, over three centuries, they have made a significant contribution to global astronomy and continue to be living centres of astronomical and astrophysics research of global importance.
As a formal modern-day partnership, the AOI’s core purposes are to contribute to island-wide research collaboration in astronomy and astrophysics, heritage collaboration including seeking UNESCO World Heritage Status, and outreach and placemaking to create greater access to scientific education and heritage across the AOI sites in Armagh, Dunsink and Birr.
The AOI represents the island of Ireland’s global offering of a unique heritage of outstanding universal value comprising the telescopes, buildings, archives, and the scientific and cultural history that the observatories represent. The first meeting of the AOI Strategy Board was Chaired by Archbishop John McDowell, Chair of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Board of Governors.
The Archbishop of Armagh is also the patron in perpetuity of Armagh Observatory since its foundation in an Act of the Irish Parliament passed in 1791, six years after the establishment of Dunsink Observatory. Birr Telescope, built in the 19 th Century, was the largest telescope in the world for over 70 years.
Key senior officers from the Joint Management Committee were in attendance and the Oversight Board received a report from the Partnership’s Strategic Advisor, Caitriona Mullan, providing an overview of work progressed across the AOI’s pillars of co-operation, Research, Heritage, Education/Outreach and Placemaking, and considered key priorities for the year ahead.
Archbishop McDowell welcomed everyone to the meeting and commented,
“The extensive work programme progressed, in particular the work towards submitting an application to be considered as transnational UNESCO World Heritage candidate involving Ireland and UK nomination processes is to be commended.”
Professor Mary Fowler, Chair of Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies School of Cosmic Physics Board added,
“This is an amazing opportunity for these three observatories to be fully recognised worldwide.”
John Carroll, from the Board of Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation thanked the Joint Management Committee for the significant progress made in the last year and noted “this unique project bringing together the Cities of Armagh and Dublin in the north and south of the country with rural Birr in the midlands and their rich history of collaboration is very inspiring.”
In concluding Members of the Oversight Board and Joint Management Committee affirmed commitment to continuing to progress the objectives of the project, including the next big milestone of submitting a UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List application.