Chemistry in Ireland

Rev Nicholas Callan (1799-1864)

An experimental priest and a pioneer of electro-magnetism, Callan was responsible for such devices as the Maynooth battery and the modern induction coil.

Rev Nicholas Callan (1799-1864)

An experimental priest and a pioneer of electro-magnetism, Callan was responsible for such devices as the Maynooth battery and the modern induction coil.

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The first chemistry professor in Ireland was appointed to Trinity College Dublin in 1785, but the science does not really take off until the 1800s, when the Royal Cork Institution and the RDS appointed chemistry professors. By the late 1800s there were chemistry departments in the universities at Cork, Galway and Belfast, and in the Royal College of Science (now part of UCD) in Dublin.

Irish chemists then were well travelled and well-connected, which helped bring their work to international attention. They studied abroad, travelled widely, especially in Europe, published in international journals, and corresponded with the great scientists of their day.

Chemistry and Electricity

In the 1830s, the modern induction coil and a powerful and cheap new battery were invented by an unusual Catholic priest from Co Louth. Rev Nicholas Callan (1799-1864) was professor of natural philosophy at the Catholic training college, St Patrick's College Maynooth. His work spanned physics and chemistry: as well as his battery and the induction coil, he invented a way of protecting metals from corrosion and made it into the Encyclopaedia Britannica when he built what was then the world's most powerful electromagnet. Images: (right) Callan's induction coil incorporated miles of wiring and could generate an estimated 600,000 volts (left) An original Maynooth battery (© National Science Museum, Maynooth)

© National Science Museum, Maynooth

Chemistry and Electricity
© National Science Museum, Maynooth

Chemistry and Electricity

© National Science Museum, Maynooth

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Coffey's Still

This highly efficient distilling apparatus, invented by Aeneas Coffey in 1830, was the world's first heat-exchange device. Its principles are still used in the chemical industry.

Coffey's Still

This highly efficient distilling apparatus, invented by Aeneas Coffey in 1830, was the world's first heat-exchange device. Its principles are still used in the chemical industry.

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Other noted contributions include:

The discovery of acetlyene, 1836: Edmund Davey, an English chemist who was professor at the RDS in Dublin, discovered this flammable gas by accident when he dropped water on calcium carbide. This gave rise to carbide lamps, among other things.
A cheap, powerful battery, 1830s: an experimental priest, Rev Nicholas Callan, professor at St Patrick's College Maynooth, invented the first cheap commercial battery - using cast iron in place of platinum, it was sold internationally, and was long-lasting and powerful. Callan was also a pioneer of electro-magnetism.
The first heat-exchange device, 1830: invented by Aeneas Coffey as an efficient distilling apparatus for whiskey. It was soon adopted by industry and the principle is still applied in the chemical industry and in refineries.
The structure of benzene and diamond: Dame Kathleen Lonsdale from Newbridge used x-rays to investigate the structure of crystals and in 1929 resolved the structure of benzene and later of diamond. A rare form of diamond is named lonsdaleite in her honour.