The new National Science Museum, recently opened by Bertie Ahern at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, and pictured left, houses a collection of scientific instruments and apparatus used in the college over the last 150 years.

Science has been taught in St Patrick's since the l9th century and staff and students at the college have made major contributions to our understanding of electricity. The induction coil was invented in Maynooth and the original is now on show as part of the museum's collection.

The museum is open to the public between May and September and is open all year round to groups. To organise a group viewing phone Dr Niall McKeith at (01) 7083780.