Video of Observatory

I visited the Observatory on Saturday, and took this short film

Follow-up visit and interview at the Observatory

I returned to the Observatory last Tuesday morning for an arranged interview with a former employee. On this occasion I had the opportunity to go up into the East Tower and see the Grubb 15-inch Reflector Telescope. Dating from 1835, it was the Dublin company's first commercial piece. Its purchase was made possible by Archbishop J.G. Beresford, who, unlike Archbishop Robinson's two immediate successors, took an active interest in the Observatory, extending the building and providing several new instruments.

Also, during my research, at least three secondary sources have given different dates for the death of the Observatory's first Director, the Rev. J.A. Hamilton. However, I plan to visit Mullabrack Church of Ireland (between Hamiltonsbawn and Markethill), to either view his headstone (if still legible from 1815!?) or investigate the church records for an accurate date

Tour of Observatory

The Troughton Equatorial Telescope

I took the tour of the Observatory yesterday. The staff were enormously helpful, and the highlight was going up through the South Tower to see the original telescope in its dome. Together, they are the oldest examples of their kind in the world.

Although the current Director was unavailable on the day, I have been put in touch with a former employee who may be able to help in my ongoing quest for primary sources!