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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.

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.

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.

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).

Audio documentary where Mulvihill visits buildings and places in Dublin and talks about their stonework.

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

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: pamphlet entitled, The Cause of the Calamity (Dublin, 1995) by E. Charles Nelson. The pamphlet is heavily annotated. A pre-published version of a chapter for the American Phytopathological Society’s journal, entitled The Formative Years of Plant Pathology in the United States, an Annual Report from the International Potato Centre (1994), and a research notebook of Mulvihill’s marked ‘Blight’. A letter from Paul D. Peterson Jnr (2 Oct. 1995), to Mulvihill. Peterson worked at the North Carolina State University and encloses several research items about blight epidemics and potato rot.

Speech by Michael D. Higgins as then Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 14 September 1995, to mark the official opening of the ‘Famine 150’ Commemorative Exhibition, a Press Release by Teagasc (Agriculture and Food Development Authority) about the ‘Famine 150’ Exhibition at the RDS and a Directory of Commemorative Events in Ireland and Abroad, published by the Famine Commemoration Committee in September 1995. Handwritten notes by Mulvihill on the movement of potato blight between the American continent and Europe, a book by Cormac Ó Gráda entitled The Great Irish Famine (Dublin, 1989). There are many handwritten notes by Mulvihill about the book.

A letter from J.A. Kavanagh (2 Nov. 1994), to Mulvihill. Kavanagh was a Professor of Plant Pathology in University College Dublin. Along with the covering letter, Professor Kavanagh enclosed a copy of a report about the biology and control of potato blight.

A collection of (mostly colour) photographs and contact prints featuring various book launches, AGMs and seminars.

Includes: a monochrome image of Niamh Breathneach (Minister for Education) and Clare O’Connor (Chairperson of WITS) at the launch of a booklet entitled Suitable jobs for a woman in 1994. Colour photographs of the 1995 WITS AGM, monochrome and colour contact prints of the launch of WITS publication Stars, Shells and Bluebells in 1997. The Minister for Education and Science, Michael Martin is featured attending the event.

Two colour photographs showing members of WITS at the WITEC (European network of organisations and individuals working for the support of women working in science, engineering and technology) conference in Amsterdam in October 1998. Also, colour photographs of the WITS AGM in Dublin in November 1998.

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.

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

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.

Includes: A letter from Bridgeen McCloskey, to Mulvihill (25 April 1991), concerning the Youth Science and Arts Week at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in July 1991. McCloskey was the Youth Science Officer at the RDS and invited Mulvihill to deliver a lecture at the event in order to capitalise on the recent launch of WITS. Letter (photocopy) from Bride Rosney, the Special Adviser to President Mary Robinson, to Ann Burnell, Secretary of WITS (23 July 1991), stating that President Robinson would be available to officially open the AGM in DCU on 2 November 1991.

A letter from Carlye Honig, to Mulvihill (2 March 1992). Honig was writing on behalf of the organisation Science Policy Support Group, based in London. This organisation was keen on creating ties with WITS and informing it of events in the UK. Letter from Jill Young, Office Coordinator of the Council for the Status of Women, to Ann Burnell (30 September 1992) confirming WITS affiliation to the CSW.

Cuttings of various events, book launches, book reviews, and publicity drives by the organisation.

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

Includes a note from Malachy McCann of Maynooth College (3 March 1996) to Mulvihill, enclosing the tape and passing on good wishes. The documentary examines the life and achievements of Michael T. Casey, an Irish Dominican priest and Chemist.

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'').

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).

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.

Handwritten lists of female academics and journalists that will be sent information about the aims of WITS and its launch in November 1990. Also includes names of signed up members written on application dockets.

File includes a ‘Data Protection Undertaking Form’ as part of GDPR protection. This must be signed by any person wishing to see this information.

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.

Letters, reports, observations and political strategies from the Council for the Status of Women, Eolas (Irish Science and Technology Agency) and Forfás (National Policy and Advisory Board for Enterprise, Trade, Science, Technology and Innovation). Includes: minutes from a CSW meeting on 5 December 1992. CSW National Agenda for the General Election of 1992. The document is entitled, Election ’92 – Putting Democracy to Work for Women, Eolas publication Analysis of PhD and Postdoctoral Studies, Ireland 1974-78 and 1984-88, Eolas Annual Report from 1990.

Letter from Lucy Cusack of Forfás, to Mulvihill (22 May 2003), inviting her to take part in a workshop on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology. Includes 2 Reports of the proceedings.

Several appearances by Mulvihill on different RTE programmes during the 1990s. Includes: several episodes of the Irish language programme, Cúrsaí. Mulvihill speaks about the challenges and rewards of learning the Irish language as an adult. She also speaks (through Irish) about the formation of WITS and the inclusion of women in science. A programme from 1993 entitled Know School Today focuses on the newly adopted Junior Certificate, and the opportunity to change the way science is taught in Irish schools. A programme entitled Undercover from 1998. Mulvihill is interviewed in the Natural History Museum about science and science heritage.

Includes: agenda and minutes for Inaugural General Meeting at the Clarence Hotel in Dublin (3 March 1990), Minutes of pre-launch meeting held in UCD, Belfield (12 May 1990) and a fax documenting the objectives of a regional structure of WITS (3 September 1991).

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.

Various attempts to raise the profile of WITS in the early 1990s. Includes: a letter from Mulvihill, to Larry Donald (August 1990), inquiring about possible sponsorship for the launch of WITS in November 1990. Donald was a management figure within the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). Press Release announcing the forthcoming launch of the organisation and a public inaugural lecture by Mary Cullen of Maynooth College on 19 June 1990. Details of the event are included.

Letter from Ann Burnell (Secretary of WITS) to Committee members about a meeting between them and the Minister for Science and Technology, Michael Smith. Scheduled to take place on 14 December 1990. Letter from Evelyn Stevens (18 April 1990) and Ann Burnell (31 April 1990) to Mulvihill, with information from their respective universities, University College Galway and Maynooth College. The letters include lists of women that have been sent information about the WITS organisation

Documents stating the Association Rules for Members, the Education Policy of WITS, an advice sheet on opening membership up to males, and a Policy Charter on the aims of the organisation, as well as the Secretary’s Report on the organisation from 1991. Also included is a report from Fás (Irish Government’s Training and Employment Authority) entitled Positive Action Programme for Women, a Report on the 1991 Programme and an outline of the 1992 Programme.

A large file of material that reflects Mulvihill’s involvement in broadcasting. It deals with television and radio and how to best put across the importance of science and research in a contemporary and accessible manner. It includes: a Media Skills Manual that is highlighted and annotated by Mulvihill, the Itinerary and notes from the Science and the Media seminar that took place on 25 November 2002. Mulvihill was one of the key speakers.

Contents of a Writing and Communicating Workshop that took place in April 2007, advice for the scripting of weather broadcasts on RTE, the script for a weather broadcast on RTE Radio on 18 October 2009. As well as Writing for Radio guidelines that are heavily edited and annotated by Mulvihill.

Itinerary and notes from Media Skills, a short course for scientists that took place in DCU on 22 September 1994. Social Media Tips, Tools and Techniques, created by Mulvihill’s company, Ingenious Ireland, on 6 December 2014. An ideas notebook for interesting topics that could be shared or written about in various media, a module for the seminar Making News and Hitting the Headlines. This was written and presented by Mulvihill as part of her Science media consultancy business.

Non-continuous run of newsletters published by WITS from nos. 1-48. The newsletters report on AGM meetings, interaction with universities in Ireland and in mainland Europe as well as regional reports and a noticeboard for members to publicise seminars and other meetings. Membership applications are also included in the newsletters along with contemporary accounts of female participation in fields of science and technology.

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.

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

Governance, Submissions and Promotion

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.

The pages of poetry within the file are photocopies of the original longhand script. There are also photocopied images of typed verse by Mulvihill. Also included is The Web: New Writing by Women, Volume 1, 1987.

Mulvihill produced and edited two books about historic Irish women scientists: Lab Coats and Lace (Dublin, 2009) and Stars, Shells and Bluebells (Dublin, 1997), (as its publisher, see WITS series for research material for this book). She also wrote a guide for more sustainable living in Drive like a Woman, Shop like a Man (Dublin, 2009). There are some research materials relating to this title within this series but the bulk of its material relates to her seminal book Ingenious Ireland: A County-by-County Exploration of Irish Mysteries and Marvels, which was originally published in 2002 and again after her death in 2019.

It is widely recognised as an outstanding piece of individual research that gave life to the memory of people and places in Ireland associated with scientific, medical and engineering achievements. Other writings within this series are poems written by Mulvihill soon after she left Trinity College in the 1980s and some preparation material for her Ingenious Dublin guidebook. However, the exhaustive research undertaken by Mulvihill for her seminal work provides the content for the most part.

A very large file of 24 folders with diverse material covering Mulvihill’s interests in scientific education, training and research. The file covers a broad range of interests and includes: A heavily annotated book entitled, Blood & Guts, A Short History of Medicine (London, 2003), by Roy Porter, an itinerary and report from the ‘First European Feminist Conference on Reproductive Technologies and Genetic Engineering’ that was held in Spain in October 1986, the itinerary and notes from ‘Irish Origins: The Genetic History and Geography of Ireland’, a conference held in the Royal Irish Academy in December 2000. Research carried out by Mulvihill into the Vartry Reservoir and other infrastructure to supply Dublin city with water. As well as the mining industry in county Wicklow, a
press paper for the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) Festival of Science in May 2005.

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) Media and Outreach Strategies, provided by Mulvihill’s Science Media Consultancy, 1 May 2013. A Report entitled Women in Industrial Research; a wakeup call for European Industry (European Commission, 2003),
Annotated launch paper for the ‘Gender Equality Unit’ of the Department of Education and Science (4 December 2001), a strategy for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (November 2002), an invite and programme of the Science on Screen Festival, which Mulvihill helped to organise in March 1997, an annotated preparatory script for the Blood and Guts audio tour of Dublin. Handwritten research notes on Marsh’s Library, and annotated/amended Rules for the Irish Science Journalists Association (December, 1991). Minutes for the ‘RDS Advisory Committee on Science Meeting’, held on 15 June 1993, Mulvihill’s Year Planner and Professional Diary for 1997, and the initial ‘Call for Information’ for the Eureka Guide to Ireland in 1997. This project became Ingenious Ireland in 2002.

16 notebooks of research, ideas and suggestions written by Mulvihill from 1990-1999. Certificate awarded to Mulvihill (National Science and Technology Journalism Awards 2002-3). 3 large photographs, 2 of which show the Scholars' Dinner in Trinity College, Dublin in 1979. One photograph is mounted with accompanying identification. Third photograph shows a gathering of past pupils for the same occasion in 1989. Mulvihill appears in both. 4 editions of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas series, as well as art materials and paintings made by Mulvihill during personal art classes.

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.