Irish Women Scientists Plaques Project
Summary: This project aims to raise public awareness of women scientists' contributions by erecting plaques in public places to draw attention to their achievements.

Status: Started in 1998, ongoing.

Details: The main focus of the committee has been 

  • Obtaining funding (committed to in writing) from private sources for the casting and erection of plaques. Funding from Bord Failte and Dublin Tourism was received during 98/99, and since then from some corporate sources.(see below)
  • Identifying appropriate women scientists.
  • Finding suitable sites for erection of plaques and getting written agreement from owners of sites. 

 
Status Who Comments
Erected  Maude Delap Located at Valentia, Co. Kerry
Erected Agnes and Mary Clerke Located at BOI, Skibbereen, 
Co. Cork
Erected Countess Mary Rosse Located at Birr Castle, Co.Offaly
Plaque cast, due for erection 2002 Aleen Cust  Funding from Veterinary Ireland. To be erected in Athleague, Co. Roscommon.
Plaque cast, due for erection 2002 Kathleen Lonsdale Funding from Di-vad, company based in building on Charlotte St., Newbridge on which plaque to be erected (where KL spent her early childhood).
Funding Obtained from Elan Corporation Dorothy Price One of Founders of St. Ultans Hospital for Infants and pioneer in vaccination against TB in Ireland 
Funding being sought for following plaques
Mary Ward Pioneer of microscopic science.
Ferbane, Co. Offaly
  Mathilda Knowles Botanist and lichenologist. Proposed location Dublin.
  Cynthia Longfield Dragonfly expert and explorer. Proposed location Cloynes Co. Cork
  Margaret Huggins  Astronomer, spectroscopist and scientist - Proposed location Gardiner St., Dublin
  Maria Edgeworth  Scientific writer. Proposed location: Co Longford.
  Sophie Pearce Pioneer Aviator
  Mary Ball  Botanist. Dublin

The Plaques Booklet 
This is to be started in 2002 with a view to having an edition available by the Spring of 2003. Bord Failte has indicated that it is interested in funding this part of the project. 
 

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