From its foundation to its modern links, Armagh Observatory has always had strong connections to notable figures both local and international. The following pages give you a – by no means exhaustive – glimpse into the rich history of science and astronomy in Armagh and Ireland through the lens of individuals.
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Archbishops of Armagh
Due to its connections with Saint Patrick, Armagh has claimed an important role in ecclesiastical circles since early Middle Ages. To this day, Archbishops of Armagh – both Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland – are also Primates of All Ireland, making Armagh the ecclesiastical capital of the island. This is despite tense competition over the centuries with the Archdiocese of Dublin, with the larger city always having been politically and economically more prominent than Armagh. During the reformation the Archdiocese with the seat in the old cathedral was converted from Catholicism to Church of Ireland, in parallel with the Anglican Church of England. Being the most important person in the (then) official state church of the island, it is therefore not surprising that it was a Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh, Richard Robinson, who had the political, social, and financial capital to found an observatory during the Age of Enlightenment. As such, the Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh have always had a close connection with Armagh Observatory. Below you will find summaries of the work of three Archbishops of Armagh as they relate to the Observatory in particular and astronomy in general.
Archbishop Richard Robinson
Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop James Ussher
Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop John Beresford
Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishops and the Observatory
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Directors
In its history spanning over more than 230 years, Armagh Observatory has had ten different Directors and a handful of Acting Directors. J. A. Hamilton was the first, T. R. Robinson was the longest-serving, J. A. Hardcastle unfortunately passed away before fully taking up his position, and M. E. Bailey was the first Director not to reside in the Observatory itself.
James Archibald Hamilton
1790-1815
William Davenport
1815-1823
Thomas Romney Robinson
1823-1882
John Louis Emil Dreyer
1882-1916
Joseph Alfred Hardcastle
1917
William Frederick Archdall Ellison
1918-1936
Eric Mervyn Lindsay
1937-1974
Mart de Groot
1976-1994
Mark E. Bailey
1995-2016
Michael G. Burton
2016- -
Notable Staff
For most of the history of Armagh Observatory, the institution held but a small number of scientific staff: the Director and perhaps a handful of Assistant Astronomers. It was only in mid-20th century that the role of the Observatory began to expand, including an ever larger number of astronomers and eventually PhD students, too. This list cannot hope to be fully comprehensive, but highlights some of the notable staff at the Observatory through the years.
Robert Hogg
Assistant Astronomer
Theresa Hardcastle
Custodian of the Observatory
Ernst Julius Öpik
Astronomer and Acting Director
J. Gerry Doyle
Astronomer and Acting Director -
Other Connections
From the Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne to King George III, from Sir George Gabriel Stokes to Harlow Shapley, the Observatory has had connections with notable names of the day since its very inception. Some of these notable figures and their connections to the Observatory are explored here.
Francis Johnston
Architect
Nevil Maskelyne
Astronomer Royal
Edward Troughton
Telescope Maker
Thomas Earnshaw
Clockmaker
King George III
Reign: 1760–1820
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse
Built the Leviathan of Parsonstown
Sir George Gabriel Stokes
Physicist and Mathematician
Mervyn Archdall Ellison
Astronomer
Astronomer Harlow Shapley
Fred Byrne
Acting Director 1994–1995
