Irish STEM and Other Surprises for St. Patrick's Day

Robert Boyle

 'When most people think of Ireland’s cultural heritage they think of things like ‘The Island of Saints and Scholars’, The Book of Kells, our great writers, Irish music, and so on. Ireland has little by way of a scientific heritage – right? Wrong.' So begins a great article by William Reville, University College, Cork.

 IRELAND’S SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE

http://understandingscience.ucc.ie/pages/irishscientists.htm 

Robert Boyle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Boyle 

Lots happening in Ireland to inspire the use of good Irish minds in STEM, not just poetry, ballades and folklore.

Science & Technology

http://www.rds.ie/science 

 Dublin Science Festival - 'The Festival of Curiosity'

http://www.rds.ie/cat_project_detail.jsp?itemID=1100297 

 What attracts big tech companies to Ireland? Hint: It’s not just low taxes

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2011/11/26/what-attracts-big-tech-companies-to-ireland-hint-its-not-just-low-taxes/ 

I am not at all surprised by discovering brilliant Irish women and men both in STEM areas--I had years of Catholic school and they were the best math teachers I ever had, Sister Gertrude, Sisters of Mercy, in particular.

William Rowan Hamilton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton 

 

 

Lucy Everest Boole (1862-1905)

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/life-society/science-technology/irish-scientists/lucy-everest-boole-%281862-/ 

 

Irish politics is no surprise. I don't condone violence, Jesus said He 'came to save mens' lives not destroy them.' Luke 9:46.

That being said, here is a St. Patrick's Day surprise I had this week while researching.

I remember the news report of Bobby Sands back in the 80s. But I hadn't watched the biographical movie 'Hunger' 2008 directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave, Oscar winner) which I did.  It is not for the feint hearted. Actor Michael Fassbender lost 40 pounds to portray the hunger strike in Maze Prison. It is critically acclaimed. Earns the R rating.

Hunger (2008 film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunger_%282008_film%29 

What I didn't know was that Bobby Sands was also a poet and author, and elected to Parliament while on the hunger strike. Nelson Mandela references him as an inspiration.

Bobby Sands

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Sands

Bobby Sands--Writings from Prison

 http://www.sinnfeinbookshop.com/bobby-sands-writings-from-prison/

Poems of Bobbly Sands

 http://www.poemhunter.com/bobby-sands/

 Prison Diary

http://www.bobbysandstrust.com/writings/prison-diary 

Another St. Paddy's Day suprise for some of you--Rock N Roll's darlings, U2 and their mighty hit about 'The Troubles.' 

 

U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1glfzAoHYiI