Liffey bridge should bear Nobel scientist’s name

The Institute of Physics is proposing that the new Liffey bridge should be named for Ireland’s only science Nobel Laureate, Ernest Walton (1903-1995).

While working in Cambridge, Dungarvan-born Walton built the first particle accelerator to split the atom in 1932, along with his co-worker John Cockcroft, earning them the 1951 Nobel prize for physics.

This experiment verified Einstein’s famous equation relating mass and energy, E=mc2. Walton was at the birth of modern physics, as carried out in CERN and elsewhere throughout the world.

To date, 2,871 have signed our online petition calling on Dublin City Council to name the bridge for Walton. Given his international standing, support for the campaign has come in from all over the world. Closer to home, people throughout Ireland have signed the petition, while more than 1,200 citizens of Dublin have indicated their approval (iopireland.org)

What better way to mark the 80th anniversary of his achievement than by naming this bridge for him during 2012 when Dublin is the European City of Science?

Walton returned to Dublin in 1934 to take up an appointment in Trinity College Dublin, where he was an exceptional lecturer and researcher until his retirement. He was also a passionate advocate for the importance of a strong science base in the country to drive Irish industrial growth.

During his lifetime, Walton inspired many young scientists. Commemorating him in his home city of many years will help to inspire a new generation of scientists.

Dr Kevin McGuigan

Chair, Institute of Physics in Ireland

School of Physics University College Dublin

Dublin 4