For the first time in history, the Irish are poised to make a material contribution to the night sky. In May, the European Space Agency confirmed the launch of Ireland’s first satellite, dubbed Educational Research Satellite-1, or EirSat-1. The satellite was built under the ESA education office’s Fly Your Satellite! 2017 program, and is owned and built by an Irish team and … [Read more...] about Ireland’s First Satellite Is Ready to Launch
News from Ireland
Bog Butter: Returning to Tradition
In June, Brian Kaller walked to the edge of the Bog of Allen, just behind his house in County Kildare, took 100 paces forward, 100 paces to the right, and began to look for a bright blue rope he had tied to a tree 17 months earlier. It took him two tries, but he eventually spotted the rope through the overgrown surface of the bog and started digging. After about five feet, he … [Read more...] about Bog Butter: Returning to Tradition
Bus Éireann Dispute Sparks Suspicion
The daily routines of many Irish commuters were thrown into disarray when employees of Bus Éireann, an intercity and regional bus service that connects areas in Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, and Galway, went on strike for 21 days in April. Protesting poor company conditions and unfair pay, the workers lifted the pickets following a Labor Court reform proposal to improve work … [Read more...] about Bus Éireann Dispute Sparks Suspicion
Michael D. Higgins First Leader to Light Uisneach Fire in 1,000 Years
In May, Irish President Michael D. Higgins became the first Irish leader to light the ceremonial fire on the hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath since the last High King (presumed to be Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair) nearly 1,000 years ago. Higgins follows in the footsteps of previous modern Irish leaders to make the pilgrimage to Uisneach, including Daniel O’Connell, Pádraig Pearse, … [Read more...] about Michael D. Higgins First Leader to Light Uisneach Fire in 1,000 Years
Irish Artist Awarded for Refugee Shots
Irish photographer Richard Mosse was awarded the 2017 Prix Pictet photography award in May for his Heat Maps series, which tracks the journeys of Middle Eastern and North African refugees with the use of a military-grade surveillance camera designed to detect body heat. The device is classified as a weapon under international law. Mosse intended for his use of the camera to … [Read more...] about Irish Artist Awarded for Refugee Shots