The Leviathan at Birr Castle

[Captain Scarlet]

@Nicola Fletcher did you just roll up on a whim or did you have to book? I'm 3.5 hours drive away and fancy a visit! I hadn't realized it was so close.

Magnus

Edited November 17, 2021 by Captain Magenta

[Nicola Fletcher]

On 17/11/2021 at 00:19, Captain Magenta said:

@Nicola Fletcher did you just roll up on a whim or did you have to book? I'm 3.5 hours drive away and fancy a visit! I hadn't realized it was so close.

Magnus

I booked because I wasn’t sure whether I’d need to, and didn’t want to be turned away when I got there. There was actually no need to book and lots of availability when I got there. I’d say you would be safe enough to just turn up!

[Captain Scarlet]

Superb, thanks @Nicola Fletcher!

[johninderby]

Was watching Bargain Hunt the other day and they did a bit on the Leviathan. Surprising well done and informative for daytime TV. 👍🏻

Edited November 18, 2021 by johninderby

[Second Time Around]

What excellent photographs Nicola -  much better than those I took on a visit in 1997.  The Leviathan was one of the highlights of that holiday. 

[scotty1]

Imagine the size of the canon balls!!🤔

[GalaxyGael]

Awesome isn't it. And those sketches of m51 and m101 are wonderful. I think m51's sprial structure was discovered with that scope, among other things. 

Their sketch of the owl planetary nebula is worth looking up, I think it is where it got the name

Edited November 22, 2021 by GalaxyGael
Factual update

[tooth_dr]

6 minutes ago, GalaxyGael said:

I think m51 was discovered with that scope

It was when it was first identified as having a spiral structure but called a ‘nebula’.  Charles Messier discovered it in the previous century.

 

[GalaxyGael]

Ta, post edited. 

[Xiga]

Thanks for posting these great pics Nicola. 

Both my sisters live in Mullingar (a 2.5 hr drive from home), and Birr Castle is only an hour's drive from them. I keep forgetting that it's there, i must remember to go and visit next time i'm down.