In the early 1840s, William Parsons, the third earl of Rosse, designed and built the largest telescope in the world.

The largest radio telescope in the world was turned on for the first time at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly yesterday.

Peter Dowdall reports on an initiative in the grounds of Birr Castle demesne that will see massive redwood trees tower over the midlands like they once did in the stone age