Excerpt:
What have Astronomy, Photography, Engineering and Horticulture got in common ? Obviously they are branches of the sciences, but there is a less obvious link, a family and their home in almost the exact centre of Ireland.
A few clues, between 1845 and 1915, the world's largest telescope, the invention of the steam turbine in 1884 and the world's first steam turbine powered ship in 1897.
The castle and estate at Birr, Co. Offaly in Ireland, has been owned by the Parsons family for over 300 years. In this time, Birr castle demense has seen a host of scientific and technological achievement, much of which has changed the world. To help preserve this heritage for future generations, the ``Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation'' was formed.