Ingenious Ireland

A county-by-county exploration of Irish mysteries and marvels

Mary Mulvihill

Ingenious Ireland is a unique study of this country’s natural wonders, clever inventions and historic industries. Richly illustrated, meticulously researched and lucidly written, it brings the reader on a fascinating county-by-county tour of Ireland, with details of what to see and places to visit. 

Find out why half of Ireland really belongs to North America and why Connemara rain is so salty. Marvel at the natural wonders that surround you, among them the oldest fossil footprints in the Northern hemisphere, and the disappearing springs of Fore. Read about the advent of railways and modern timekeeping. Discover why the shamrock is a sham, and the Dublin Bay prawn is a fraud.

Meet the ingenious Irish and wonder at the range of their inventions: from Milk of Magnesia to the hypodermic syringe; from the steam turbine to the ejector seat; from the modern tractor to the first guided missile.

Mary Mulvihill’s knowledge is encyclopaedic and her enthusiasm for unravelling the mysteries and marvels of Ireland irresistible. Dip into Ingenious Ireland and you may discover that history was made on your own doorstep.

Mary Mulvihill was a pioneering science writer and broadcaster. A former editor of Technology Ireland who has written widely about science, she held a degree in genetics and an MSc in statistics from Trinity College Dublin. She had a diploma in journalism from Dublin City University and DCU Special Collections now host her archive. She was instrumental in founding WITS (Women in Technology and Science) and edited Stars, Shells & Bluebells – biographies of Irish women scientists and pioneers (WITS, 1997).