The Irish Government have decided that 2005 wil be known as 'Hamilton Year', after William Rowan Hamilton, Ireland's most eminent scientist who was born 4th Auguest 1805 in Dublin.
"The aim of the celebration is to draw attention to Ireland's proud scientific heritage and to create awareness of the exciting World-class science that is being undertaken in Ireland today."
William Rowan Hamilton (1805-65) was born in Dominick Street, Dublin and died at the Dunsink Observatory where he worked throughout his professional life. He is best known for his discovery in 1843 of quaterions, an important mathematical expression used in describing 3D spaces in computer graphics, while walking along the Royal Canal. As he passed Broom bridge he etched the formula into the stone parapet of the bridge. His work proved significant for the development of quantum mechanics. Hamiltonian mechanics is still used today to determine orbital trajectories of satellites and was used for the recent Mars Mission. He was a friend of William Wordsworth, who advised him against spending time writing poetry.
A plaque on the bridge reads: