Taking place: Friday 18 October at 8.15 pm

Providing an overview of the Parsons families of the 2nd and 3rd Earls of Rosse in the context of local, national and European history, this presentation will shed light on scientific and engineering progress made in Birr in the 19th Century. The contributions of the Parsons family to technological developments during the industrial revolution continue to make an impact on our lives today. It is a phenomenal story.

Taking place on Saturday 19 October at 10.00 am

This talk will describe how the turbines produced for power station use changed from the World’s first steam turbine-generator of 1884 through the pioneering designs which superseded the reciprocating steam engine in electricity generation, the rapid growth in machine sizes from 50 MW to 800 MW and subsequent generations of turbine until CA Parsons & Co Ltd became part of Siemens in 1997. 

The keynote designs will be discussed including the machines for Calder Hall (the World’s first commercial nuclear power station), Drax (Britain’s largest power station), and Nanticoke (the largest coal-fired power station in North America).

Taking place on Saturday 19 October at 2:30 pm

A biography of Turbinia from Charles Parsons' early designs and experiments with models in 1894, to Turbinia’s current position as a prized exhibit displayed in the entrance hall to Newcastle upon Tyne’s Discovery Museum and one of the most important vessels on the National Historic Ships UK register. 

Taking place on Saturday 19 October at 3.15 pm 

The development of steam turbines as an alternative to steam driven reciprocating engines was to have a major impact on the propulsion of sea-going vessels in the 20th Century. 

Councillor Jody Power will give a first-hand account of his experience of marine propulsion steam turbines and will provide an assessment of the impact of Charles A Parsons on the shipping industry.

Taking place on Sunday 20 October at 9.15 am 

The Stoney family, also hailing from the midlands of Ireland, have made many significant contributions to Ireland’s scientific and engineering heritage. One branch of the family, who lived in Oakley Park near Birr, collaborated with the Parsons families of the 3rd and 4th Earls of Rosse in astronomical and turbine developments. 

But there is more to tell about these exploits and those of other members of the Stoney family. Benita will touch on some of these people and their achievements, framing a future discussion on another Irish family’s amazing contributions to national and global welfare.

Taking place on Sunday 20 October at 09.45 am 

At present, Offaly has 650MW of operational or permitted renewable energy projects. A ‘pipeline’ of additional projects could increase this to over 1.5GW, noting that the 2022 grid generation capacity was circa 7.5 GW. These projects include onshore wind, solar PV, hydrogen electrolysers, anaerobic digestion, energy storage, synchronous compensators (inertia flywheels), and grid resilience systems. 

This presentation covers some key renewable energy projects in the Midlands region and the contribution they can make to help achieve Ireland's renewable energy targets as set out in the latest Climate Action Plan.

Taking place on Sunday 20 October at 10.15 am 

As we face into the ambitious carbon dioxide reduction targets set by EU policy, the removal of fossil fuels from the heat generation market remains one of our most difficult challenges. Grant Engineering is making significant contributions to this effort and has developed solutions with patented technological innovations that are being designed and manufactured in their HQ in Birr. 

Stephen will discuss the decarbonisation of heat and present solutions that can help us achieve the ambitious zero-carbon 2050 targets.  

Saturday 19 October at 3.00pm

Starting in 1902, Cunard and subsequently the White Star Line proposed to build a family of giant passenger liners using turbine propulsion which would be larger than previous ships, more opulent than any built to date with more powerful engines than ever contemplated before so they could cross the Atlantic at high speed. 

In this talk, Geoff Horseman will provide an insight into the engines of these magnificent ships including the story of their development and show a little of the life-style which could be enjoyed by the first, second and third class passengers.