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Draft Report and Recommendations from an EGM held in Dun Laoghaire to seek members’ views on the future of the organisation and to consider if they wanted to continue as an organisation.

Research material on Nendrum Monastery, a Christian monastery on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Holywood, medieval fish traps off the coast of the county and Harry Ferguson (1884-1960), a Down-born mechanic and inventor, noted for his role in the development of the modern agricultural tractor and its three point linkage system.

Also, handwritten notes by Mulvihill on the structure of the county Down chapter as well as research on Down County Museum, North Down Heritage centre and Castlewellen Forest Park.

Radio documentary series examining the buildings and exhibits of the National History Museum in Dublin. Researched and presented by Mulvihill. Produced by Dave McHugh. Guest is Nigel Monaghan, Keeper of the Museum.

The Directory gives the background information to over 150 women who are qualified to be called upon to actively participate on the Boards of State agencies, education bodies, local government and other decision making entities. WITS state that the Directory was compiled after an extensive exercise whereby individuals and organisations were encouraged to nominate individuals for inclusion. They represent expertise in the broad arena of science, engineering and technology. WITS also state that their experience is relevant to industrial development, social policy, health, environment, education and interaction with Europe.

Material collated by Mulvihill about science and technology in Donegal. Includes a visitor’s handbook titled Glenveagh National Park; A Remote and Hauntingly Beautiful Wilderness (Government of Ireland, 1996). The book is annotated by Mulvihill. Also a pamphlet by Christopher Moriarty entitled The Reverend WS Green: Explorer and Fishery Scientist (RIA, 1995). Other material covers the Fintown Railway, diamond exploration in Donegal and Thomas Drummond, mathematician, inventor and Irish under-secretary from 1835-1840.

Radio documentary (2 episodes) researched and presented by Mulvihill. Produced by Eoin Brady. Guests include Cathy Fitzgerald, Paula Murphy, Lynn Parker and Iggy McGovern.

This conference was held in Dublin Castle and WITS cover the Plenary and Workshop Sessions of the event. The Proceedings present the papers of the speakers at the conference, the workshop reports and the recommendations stemming from the conference.

Includes: Equality for Women Measure Progress Report into the Directory (June 2004), papers relating to the launch of the Talent Bank Directory (12 March 2003), publicity campaign by Molecule Promotions to gain awareness of the Talent Bank (26 March 2003) and press cuttings that publicised the initiative.

2 folders of research material pertaining to the scientific/technological aspects of County Derry. Includes returned questionnaires from various organisations, annotated notes on previously published material, enclosed original material from hydro-electricity generation on the River Roe near Limavady. Also material on Derry’s linen industry and its technological innovations. And the measuring or ‘triangulation’ of Lough Foyle.

Press release giving information on the launch of a career guidance CD for schools, featuring women role models with varied careers in science, engineering and technology. There are 2 different drafts of the press release within the file. Also an accompanying booklet.

Scéalta Ó Theach na mBocht, which translates as Stories from the Workhouse. The series contained 4 seperate chapters/episodes, but there are only 3 on this tape. Featuring Brendan Gleeson and Mick Lally, each episode is 40 minutes long. Mulvihill was interested in the scientific history of the Famine and was researching a book on the topic at the time of her death.

Radio documentary researched and presented by Mulvihill. Produced by Eoin Brady. Guests include Dorothy Cross and Tom Cross.

On 15-16 February 1993, the European Community Directorate General for Science Research and Development (DG XII) organised a workshop to assess the position of women working in science and technology research in Europe. This report is an outline of the workshop proceedings for WITS and for those who provided information on women in S&T research in Ireland for presentation to the workshop.

A short file of personal correspondence that discusses matters of scientific inquiry. Also includes a personal diary that Mulvihill kept on a trip to the United States in 1980.

WITS organised a high-level scientific forum in December 2003. The guest speaker was Dr Gill Samuels, the director of science policy at Pfizer Global Research Laboratories. The forum recommended a range of measures to encourage women to enter into research and employment within the science and technology sector. This report shares the findings of the forum and the contributions of Dr Samuels.

Minutes and Reports from AGMs in 1992, 1993, 2003 and 2006. Includes the AGM Agenda from 2007.

Scientific and technological research on both Cork City and County. Includes: A letter from George Reynolds (22 March 2001), to Mulvihill, enclosing a chapter he wrote for the European Geologist Journal, about the Cork-born geologist, William Bowles. Information, correspondence and good quality postcards from Beamish & Crawford brewery in Cork city, information from Marathon International Petroleum Ireland about its work on the Kinsale oil and gas field and a floppy disc containing photographs of the Cork Powder Mills, forwarded by Cork County Council.

Also, colour photographs of Mizen Head Footbridge, correspondence and information from Meitheal Mara, a group dedicated to the preservation of maritime heritage, a letter from Elizabeth Kearns (5 May 1998), to Mulvihill, informing her about an exhibition of historical radio equipment at Cork City Gaol during 1998 and correspondence from University College Cork about its Geological Museum on campus. Handwritten notes by Mulvihill the proposed structure of her chapter about County Cork.

Segments about WITS on Irish evening news (00'10'' - 01'20''). Mulvihill is part of a seperate programme package in the Irish language about the Young Scientists Exhibition, (05'50'' - 07'40'').

Guest contributor is Dr Brendan Dunford.

File includes 7 CD-ROMs containing images and illustrations from the book. There are also 4 photographs featuring images of bog body excavation and research in the midlands of Ireland. These are supplied by the National Museum of Ireland and date from 1998.

Guest contributor is Greg Ryan.

Treasurer’s Reports from March 1991, November 1992 and November 1993.

Includes: Monochrome photographs of botanic specimens and and growth in the Burren area of county Clare, a CD-ROM from the ESB Archives (Electricity Supply Board) with information on the Hydro-electric power plant at Ardnacrusha, a letter from Anita Hayes to Mulvihill (8 May 1997) supplying information about the Irish Seed Saver Association in Scariff, county Clare. Several returned questionnaires from various scientific and heritage institutions in the county.

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Includes: correspondence from the Heritage Council Of Ireland to WITS rejecting an application to publish the second volume of the book in 2006, and contracts between WITS and the authors of various chapters to Volume 2 of the work. Annotated research material, as well as the foreword to the original book, written by Mary Robinson. Also, a letter from MJP Scannell to Mulvihill (18 Aug. 1996), enclosing research material and other pertinent information.

The committee was set up in 1990 to encourage schoolgirls to opt for science subjects and to investigate impediments and prejudices that affected these choices. Its aim was also to encourage girls to enter work or training in technology, engineering, physics and chemistry. Includes a sub-committee report for 1990-1991 and minutes from a sub-committee meeting (10 March 1992) regarding the possibility of publishing a book to further its overall aims in the education sector.

Irish language programme about the Shakleton Expedition to Antarctica.

Guest contributor is Matthew Parkes.

3 folders: contains press cuttings from various publications, including many of Mulvihill's An Irishwoman's Diary pieces in the Irish Times. Cuttings also cover her wide topics of interest around science, media and public relations. Cuttings also contain several obituaries and tributes following her death in 2015. There are also oversized items included within this series.

Research material covering the County of Cavan. Includes correspondence and information supplied to Mulvihill from Cavan County Museum, Carraig Craft Visitors Centre, the Life-Force Mill and details of gypsum mining in the county. There is also a floppy disc containing photographs of Cavan County Museum. The images were taken by Marcus Daly Photographs.

Includes: 1 box labelled ‘People A-J’, 1 box labelled ‘People K-Z’, 1 box labelled ‘Topics A-E’, 1 box labelled ‘Topics F-Z’, 1 box labelled ‘Pix, Maps, Misc. Topics etc’. 1 unlabelled box. Smaller in size and containing headed cards with no further information.

Includes: 4 floppy discs containing images from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, several books of stamps with science-related images that were forwarded to Mulvihill by An Post, a book from An Post, entitles Postage Stamps of Ireland (Dublin, 1992), which features the artwork of Irish stamps since the foundation of the state and 3 floppy discs forwarded to Mulvihill by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. They contain images of the lighthouse at Spit Bank in county Cork.

11 monochrome photographs of The River Gods, which are wax reproductions of stone carvings on Irish stone bridges. Various photographs of landscapes and buildings, including a portrait of Michael Faraday (1791-1867), Trinity College Dublin and the Burren district in county Clare. Symbolic artwork is also included within the file as well as notes, invoices and annotated research material.

Includes: Handwritten notes and a typed proposal for the book. A letter from Mulvihill (9 Nov. 1998), to John Leonard of Geological Survey of Ireland. Mulvihill seeks permission to use GSI diagrams in the introduction to Eureka Guide: Ireland explored and explained. This eventually became the introduction for Ingenious Ireland. Letter from RJ Bleakley (26 Feb. 1998), enclosing publications and other information on nature reserves in Northern Ireland. Hand written notes on form, structure and content of the book’s introduction.

Guest is Matthew Jebb.

Geological sources for Ingenious Ireland. Includes: A booklet, entitled Written in Stone by Padhraig S. Keenan (1995). This booklet was produced to complement the television series, which marked the 150th anniversary of the Geological Survey of Ireland. A pamphlet entitled Field Guide to the Geology of Some Localities in County Dublin by Patrick Wyse Jackson, Jeremy Stone, Matthew Parkes and Ian Sanders, (Dublin, 1993).

A floppy disc containing ‘Irish Engineers Blogs’, dated from 16 January 1998, a map of the geological formations in the north of Ireland, as well as booklet entitled Our Book Underground, that was published by the Geological Survey of Ireland and ENFO in 1995. Also, 6 factsheets from the Irish Association for Economic Geology. Handwritten notes and a glossary for technical geological terms.

Includes: annotated material and information regarding mining in Wicklow National Park and engineering achievements on the Wicklow rail network, a report from the Geological Survey of Ireland examining the ‘Liscolman Radiometric Anomoly’ in the county. Several Ordinance Survey and Coillte Maps of Wicklow. An oversized pamphlet entitled, Wicklow in the Ice Age: an introduction and guide to the Glacial Geology of the Wicklow District, by William P. Warren (Geological Survey of Ireland, 1993).

Annotated material on mining in Luganure and Glendalough, an oversized pamphlet examining the life of John Purser Griffith, the civil engineer and politician, and returned questionnaires from Avoca Mines, Arklow Maritime Museum and the Charles Stewart Parnell Museum. Annotated research material on the National Environmental Education Centre in Enniskerry, as well as handwritten notes on the structure and content of the Wicklow section within Ingenious Ireland.

Guest is Matthew Jebb.

Guest is Peter Wyse Jackson.

Includes: several annotated pamphlets including For the Safety of All, published by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, The South Wexford Coast by Jim Hurley (Wexford, 1994), A Guide to the Irish Agricultural Museum by Austin M. O’Sullivan (IAM, 1996) and Treasures of Tacumshane, 1797-1997, edited by Hilary Murphy (Wexford, 1998). A book by Jim Hurley entitled Water Level at Lady’s Island Lake, 1984-1996 (Wexford, 1997).

Annotated material on the Tacumshane Windmill and its method of operation, a letter from Austin O’Sullivan (17 Feb. 1997), to Mulvihill, enclosing information about the Irish Agricultural Museum in Wexford, particularly their exhibits of calculating machines and laboratory equipment. Letter from Derville Killian (4 Feb. 1999), to Mulvihill, enclosing information on the Hook Lighthouse and their plans to develop a Heritage Centre there. Also, annotated material on Wexford County Museum, located at Enniscorthy Castle, as well as handwritten notes on chapter structure and content.

Includes handwritten notes on chapter structure and content. Also material on Daramona Observatory, which is located between Mullingar and Longford. Information on Locke’s Distillery in Kilbeggan and hopes for a transport museum within the county.

Radio documentary series examining the flora and fauna of the National Botanic Gardens. Researched and presented by Mulvihill. Produced by Dave McHugh. Guest is Matthew Jebb.

Includes: a letter from Bride Rosney, Special Advisor to President Mary Robinson (6 June 1997), to Mulvihill, concerning the forward of the book, which Robinson agreed to write. A floppy disc for an Apple Mac computer containing written contributions to the book from Patricia Deevy, a letter from Professor Susan McKenna-Lawlor (30 June 1997), to Mulvihill and Jacqueline Allan, Chairperson of WITS, asking for her chapters to be withdrawn from the book, and a list of suggestions for illustrations to accompany the various chapters in the book.

Includes: a Networking Directory (names and addresses of female scientists/technicians in Ireland), a list of professional women in S&T who would be available to talk about their careers in schools, particularly girls’ schools in Ireland. A publicity notice for Women in Engineering: Issues, challenges and strategies, a seminar held in November 1991. A speech by Michael Smith, T.D, the Minister for Science and Technology at the opening of the Women in Technology and Science Conference in University College Cork, 25 May 1991. Various posters and leaflets publicising events in 1990 and 1991.

Radio show on RTE, that was presented by Mary Mulvihill. It examined the latest works of Irish scientists and scientific stories from around the world. This programme was recorded in Trinity College, according to the cover label.

Research material examining the scientific and technological history of County Carlow. Includes: a letter and enclosed lecture from David Spearman to Mulvihill (31 March 2003). Spearman had written a lecture about Samuel Haughton, a Medical Doctor and scientific writer, who was born in Carlow in 1821. Spearman also provided Mulvihill with a published pamphlet of the lecture.

A letter from Patrick Comerford of Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority), to Mulvihill (1 December 1997).
Comerford provides information on Oak Park Research Centre in Carlow. Also, annotated information on John Tyndall (1820-1893), the prominent Carlow born physicist, the history of, and other information regarding, the sugar beet industry in Carlow.

Guest archeologist is Geraldine Stout.

Contains the Association’s General Rules on membership, AGMs, officers, finances and standing orders.

Imprint features Theo Dorgan as host. Liam Mackey as co-host. Guests include Mulvihill, Tony Roche, Caitriona Crowe and Thomas Kilroy in a discussion about recently published science books. Leargas features a documenatary on William Rowan Hamilton. Label on outside of tape states, 'Mary Mulvihill, do not erase'.

Governance, Submissions and Promotion

Guest is Evelyn Murkins.

Includes annotated material on glass making in the area. A returned questionnaire and further information from the Waterford Glass Factory and a floppy disc containing the image of Ernest Thomas Walton, the Waterford-born physicist and Nobel laureate. There is further annotated material about Walton as well as material on the Kilmeaden Steam Railway. There is also material on woodcraft along the ‘copper coast’ of the county as well as notes on chapter structure and content.

Material includes annotated information about Annie Scott Dill Maunder (née Russell), the Strabane born scientist, who was one of the leading astronomers of her time. A letter from John A Walsh (14 Aug. 1997), to Mulvihill, enclosing information and pamphlets on the Ulster American Folk Park situated near Omagh. Information on the industrial heritage of Tyrone as well as handwritten notes on the structure and content of this chapter.

Guest is Siobhan Pearse.

Includes: Letter from Sean Watts (3 May 2000), to Mulvihill, enclosing a large amount of information about The Mining Company of Ireland and the Slievardagh Collieries between 1825-1995. Material sent to Mulvihill by professor Michael G Harrington about the physiologist and biochemist, Edward Conway, who was born in Nenagh in 1916, a returned questionnaire and additional information about Mitchelstown Cave in Cahir.

A letter from Sandra Peavoy (17 Feb 1998), to Mulvihill, enclosing research material in relation to the Silvermines site in Shalee, information on Charles Bianconi, the Italian-Irish entrepreneur who became known for his innovations in transport and was twice mayor of Clonmel, in County Tipperary, as well as colour and monochrome photographs of geological features and mining shafts within the Shalee/Silvermines area.

Contains material on the mining industry at Berehaven Mines and the Ben Bulben Barite Mine. Annotated material on George Stokes, the physicist and mathematician who was born in Skreen. Also material on the astronomer, Edward Cooper, who resided at Markree castle near Collooney.

Guest is Julia Sigwart.

The file includes annotated research on William Wilde. Wilde was a Roscommon-born ophthalmologist and author of significant works on medicine, archaeology and folklore. He was the father of Oscar Wilde. There is also an annotated pamphlet on Lough Key Forest Park as well as material on the Famine Museum in Strokestown House. Also material on the House itself.

Guest is Gareth Dyke.

Concentrating heavily Birr Castle and the Parsons family, this file includes: A research report entitled Ladies of Birr Castle focusing on the lives of Lady Mary Ward and Lady Mary, Countess of Rosse. Both women were scientific pioneers in the nineteenth century. Annotated material from Birr Castle Demesne and the building of Parson’s Telescope, the largest telescope in the world for many years.

Annotated research material on John Joly, the Offaly born geologist, physicist and mineralogist, information on the history of distilling in Tullamore, research material on the boglands of the county and how fuel is derived for electricity.

Guests include Nigel Monaghan and Julia Sigwart.

A folder of material that includes annotated research material on Tassan Lead Mine. Annotated material on John Robert Gregg who was born in Monaghan in 1867. Gregg invented the Gregg Shorthand method of writing that was adopted by many journalists and stenographers in the twentieth century.

Guest is Julia Sigwart.

Includes: annotated supplement to Archaeology Ireland (Vol.1, No.3), which covers the archaeological engineering involved in Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the River Boyne. Annotated notes accompanying a chapter on Irish Stone Bridges that was published by the Irish Academic Press in 1991. Written by Peter O’Keeffe and Tom Simington.

Colour photograph of Passage Grave at Newgrange. Information on mining in Meath and annotated notes on Francis Beaufort, the hydrographer and inventor of the Beaufort Scale. Annotated material on the practice of Ballooning in Meath, as well as notes on chapter structure.

Guest is Declan Murray.

Includes: Letter from Margaret Gallagher (3 Sept. 2002) to Mulvihill, enclosing a map of Ballycroy National Park, the area of which is marked by blue and green colours and annotated by Mulvihill, correspondence to Mulvihill from Duchas, the Irish Heritage Service, supplying information about the Cong Canal and National Parks within the county of Mayo. Returned and annotated questionnaire from the Ceide Fields Visitor Centre.

Proposal for a survey of Clare Island, published by the Royal Irish Academy and annotated by Mulvihill, information on Foxford Woollen Mills and Knock Folk Museum. Returned questionnaire, brochure and annotated notes on Doon Archaeological and Nature Peninsula.

Guest is Eimear Walsh.

Guest is Eimear Walsh.

Includes: annotated material on the Boyne Viaduct and Louth-born explorer, Francis Leopold McClintock, annotated material on Alexander Mitchell, a civil engineer and the original patent holder for screw-piles and moorings that were used in shipping. Annotated material on John MacNeill, the Dundalk-born engineer, inventor and architect, a map of County Louth and a photograph from the National Library of Ireland displaying an image of the Boyne Viaduct. Written notes and chapter structure by Mulvihill.

WITS is a voluntary, independent organisation advocating, connecting and acting for women to be full and vital participants in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As a founder of WITS in 1990, Mulvihill was central to the organisation’s vision and overall aims. She also played a vital role in highlighting the often neglected role of women in the history of Irish science. This series of papers comprises of several sub-series detailing the various structures, governance, publications, correspondence and outreach of WITS from its foundation to its contemporary achievements.

First CD provides digital imagery for the book and is accompanied by a letter from Linda Montgomery (28 Oct. 2008) of Trinity College, providing permission for use. Inscription on second CD-ROM states that it holds footage from the launch of Lab coats and Lace at the 2009 Dublin Book Festival.

Letters, programmes and reports from various organisations with ties to the European Union or European funding.
Includes: Letter from JTH Stewart (Commission of European Communities) to Mulvihill (27 March 1991) approving financial contributions to a WITS seminar to be held in Dublin late that year, invitation and subsequent conference report to the WITEC-UETP (Women in Technology in the European Community-University Enterprise Training Partnership) conference in Dublin Castle, 2-4 May 1991, WITEC document, Gender Issues in Technology - Guidelines for Action, a document outlining COMETT, the European Commission’s programme for high-level technology training.

Miscellaneous research material covering the county of Armagh. The material includes returned questionnaires, letters, pamphlets, tourist brochures and official publications submitted to Mulvihill by scientific organisations within the county. Many of the clippings and photocopies are annotated by Mulvihill as part of her structural approach to Ingenious Ireland. Includes: a letter from Eamon Rafferty, Secretary of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (13 Jan 1997), to Mulvihill, enclosing a photograph of the institution. Colour and monochrome photographs of scientific instruments held at the Observatory and pre-printed journal articles from the Observatory relating to Meterology and Climate.

Information from the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre in Craigavon including several pamphlets published by the Centre. A letter from Dr Greer Ramsay, the Deputy Curator of the Armagh County Museum (24 April 1997), to Mulvihill, enclosing information and a completed questionnaire about the institution, an annotated copy of a journal article about the Breens of Armagh, a family of astronomers that lived in the 19th century.

Contains the programme 12 to 1. Mulvihilll discusses women in business. The panel includes Anne Harper and Kathy Monks.

Interview with Gill Samuels (Pfizer) on working with WITS (Women in Technology and Science) on Newstalk FM (14 Dec. 2003). Interview with Samuels by RTE's Pat Kenny (15/16 Dec. 2003). Also interviews with the Morning Ireland radio show (RTE) (15 Nov. 2003) and Spin 103FM (15 Nov. 2003)

Mulvihill's audio documentary about the science of time.

WITS Organisation, Structures and Administration

Details of the activities planned by the organisation for the initial years of its existence. Membership, projects, fundraising, publications, policy documents, seminars and regional meetings. Also includes the Minutes of the first meeting of the WITS Committee at Trinity College, Dublin (17 November 1990), a letter from Mulvihill to WITS members informing them about the organisation’s first AGM. The AGM was held in Dublin City University on the 14 November 1992. Members of the WITS Committee, 1992-1993.

Includes: delegates from WITS and VHTO (Dutch organisation for the promotion of women in SET) in Athens in June 1999, members at a Networking the Networks event in Brussels during 1999, WITS Role Model Day at Colaiste Dhulaigh in Coolock, Dublin in 2003 and the Launch of the Role Model Days book and CD-ROM in 2004.

Researched and presented by Mulvihill. Produced by Peter Mooney. Guests include Lord Rosse and Bernard Lovell.

File reflects Mulvihill’s work and interest in science communication and science related public relations. It includes: an itinerary and notes for a 1 day course in DCU entitled Media Skills for Scientists that was held there on 5 June 1997. Mulvihill was a speaker and her notes and speech are present. Workshops written by Mulvihill entitled Making News and Hitting the Headlines and Updated and Alert. A Media Training Session entitled Telling Your Story, that was written by Mulvihill and held on 10 January 2000. Also, handwritten ideas and notes about communicating successfully within the media and academia.

Writing and Telling the Weather Workshop from October 2011. Mulvihill wrote and presented this workshop. Also, a Media Interview Skills Workshop that Mulvihill attended on 31 January 2012. Printed handouts, slideshow and evaluations from the Rough Guide to Communicating Science seminar. It was written and presented by Mulvihill in May 2013. A booklet from the European Commission entitled Communicating Science (Luxembourg, 2006).

Recommendations to State Bodies. Includes: submission to the Department of Education on the Green Paper Education for a Changing World by WITS (.1991), Women in Technology and Science Submission to the Second Commission on the Status of Women (1991), a WITS submission to the Science Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (April 1994) and a submission to a Green Paper on Social Policy (.1994).

Several documents relating to a forum held in Dublin on 11 December 2003 called Getting the Balance Right in Irish Science, Engineering and Technology. The guest speaker at the forum was Dr Gill Samuels, the Director of Science Policy at Pfizer Global Research Laboratories. Includes correspondence between Samuels and Mulvihill, as well as correspondence between Samuels and Tanaiste (Deputy PM) Mary Harney about speaking at the WITS organised forum.

Guest is Julia Sigwart.

One folder of research material on County Longford. Includes annotated material relating to the red squirrel population in the county and the efforts to stop the invasive grey species. Several annotated pieces about Richard Lovell Edgeworth, the well-known politician, writer and inventor. He was also the father of Irish author, Maria Edgeworth.

Guest is Nigel Monaghan.

Includes: annotated material on Foynes Flying Boat Museum, along with enclosed postcards of aircraft and a returned questionnaire, information on Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre, annotated research material on Aughinish Alumina Refinery on Aughinish Island and information on Croom Mills Visitor Centre. Annotated material on the building of Sarsfield Bridge in Limerick City.

Guest is Nigel Monaghan.