IF this had been a space shuttle mission, the driving wind and rain would have grounded it, but not even foul weather could halt the launch yesterday of a series of rockets in the shadow of Blackrock Castle in Cork.

THE public will be able to watch a piece of history unfold today when the CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory screens live the last take-off of the space shuttle.

THE Irish researcher who discovered the cure for leprosy has been honoured to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.

THE public has been urged to boldly go where no-one has gone before — on a walk through our solar system which been “shrunk” to fit along the Banks of the Lee.

WHAT do you do when it’s your birthday and you are miles from nowhere with neither home nor hostelry in sight? Throw a party, of course, with the help of friends, family — and NASA.

Budding astronomers will be in for a treat tonight as Astronomy Ireland is organising one of the country’s largest ever stargazing events in Co Wicklow.

CORK actor Fiona Shaw was one of three recipients of the first Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) Alumni Awards.

FOR the first time in its history, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), is to hold an alumni awards ceremony to honour its finest graduates.

THE use of science in our everyday lives will be demonstrated in hundreds of events during Science Week 2006 starting on Sunday.

STUDENTS take part in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition “mostly for the craic”.

The Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, has said the Government will continue to invest in science innovation because of its benefits to the economy.