Centenary of Dr Tom Walsh to be marked with soil science lecture

The centenary of the birth of Dr Tom Walsh, an internationally renowned scientist, who made fundamental contributions to the development of Irish agriculture, the economy and society, is to be marked.

A centenary lecture will be held in Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford on December 5 (World Soils Day) in honour of Dr Walsh, the first director of An Foras Taluntais, and later of Teagasc.

Dr Walsh worked untiringly for the development of Ireland’s natural resources in general, and for the agricultural and food industries in particular.

The lecture will be delivered by Professor John Ryan on the ‘Evolution and Achievements of Irish Soil Science’.

Professor Ryan is himself an internationally distinguished soil scientist and was the recipient of the prestigious International Service in Agronomy Award for 2004 from the American Society of Agronomy.