>Status: U
>X-Sender: sdbell@No-Spam
>Date: Fri, 30 Mar 1999 12:09:27 +0100
>From: David Bell <sdbell@No-Spam>
>Subject: WSP
>
>Hi
>My name is David Bell and I am the secretary of Shannonside
>Astronomy Club, Ireland. I apologize in advance for intruding on
>your time, but I just want to bring to your attention our annual
>Whirlpool Star Party, which is held every year in Birr, Co Offaly,
>Ireland.
>Birr, as you may know is the home of the Great Telescope built by
>the 3rd Earl of Rosse in 1846, and it has now been fully restored.
>The present Earl, the 7th, is our patron and he permits us the use
>of the castle demesne for our observation sessions.
>The WSP is now the premier event of its kind in the UK and Ireland
>and is attracting people from all over the world. I am bringing it
>to your notice in case you might know of anyone who is planning a
>holiday in Ireland, and who might like to arrange it to coincide
>with the event, which will take place this year on the 14th, 15th
>and 16th of September.
>The speakers arranged so far include the following
>Halton Arp, who, I am sure, needs no introduction.
>Jack Newton, astrophotographer.
>Professor Mike Edmunds from Wales who impersonates Sir Isaac Newton
>as an old man reminiscing about his life's work.
>Dr Andy Newsam, an expert on robotic telescopy.
>Frank Prendergast, expert on Newgrange, the great Boyne Valley stone
>age tomb, (Frank has some original insights to Newgrange to his
>credit) and also the astronomical alignment of the standing stones
>of Ireland.
>Florence and Kenneth Wood, authors of Homers Secret Iliad, a very
>persuasive argument that the Iliad is almost exclusively based on
>astronomy. The work is based on the work of Edna Leigh, from the US,
>who spent her life researching it. Florence is her daughter.
>All in all, its a great weekend, although the Irish weather being
>what it is, we cannot guarantee that you will get any observing
>done. Because of this we must place the emphasis on having what we
>call in Ireland the 'craic' (That's 'a good time' to you)
>Thank you for your time, and if you think you know anyone who might
>be interested, you might pass this email on. Get in touch and I will
>be delighted to give you further details.
>Best regards
>David Bell