A NATIONAL science centre in Ireland could be a valuable tourist amenity, attracting high spending cultural tourists, as well as providing a place where Irish people could learn more about science and scientific issues like BSE and passive smoking, an international cultural consultant told a Dublin conference on Friday.
However, participants also heard directors of science centres in Europe and the US warn that efforts to establish a major science centre in Dublin would fail if there were competing proposals.
The two day conference, on the potential for science centres in Ireland, was organised by the RDS and representatives from Irish scientific centres planned or under development.
These include Birr Castle in Co Offaly (where the historic telescope is being renovated), Dunsink Observatory in Dublin (where a small astronomical centre will shortly open), the Dublin Interactive Science Centre (DISCoery Project), which is campaigning for a £4 million science centre at the Custom House Docks, and the £10 million proposal by Ringsend Community Centre to turn the derelict Pigeon House power station into a national science and industry museum. Other suggested locations for a national science centre included the National Museum's new campus at Collins Barracks, and a suburban location such as Tallaght.
According to the conference organisers, Ireland is the only European country without a national science centre or museum, although there is at least one local centre.
The Science Works, which opened recently in Tralee with private funding, claims to be the country's first interactive science centre.
Dr Alan Friedman, from the New York Hall of Science, emphasised the educational value of science centres.
Other speakers stressed the important cultural role of such a centre, helping people to reach their intellectual potential and play their part in an increasingly scientific society.
A major science centre would require financial assistance, both for the initial start up costs and the annual running costs. However, many of the international speakers stressed that a science centre need not be expensive.
According to Dr Friedman, many relatively underdeveloped Indian towns and states have science centres, while Dr Melanie Quinn described how the Welsh Techniquest centre started in an old showroom.
Ms Helena Challinor said the Exploris aquarium in Portalerry, Co Down, begun as a tourist attraction by the local council, now has a science, environment and educational remit, and is so successful that extra exhibits had to be devised to deal with the number of visitors.
Dr Danny O'Hare, president of DCU, said that if the Republic is to have a science centre, we will need to change our national self image and embrace science as part of our culture.
Irish people are interested in science, Mr John Travers, chief executive of Forlas, said when he opened the conference. A recent Forfas survey found that 70 cent of respondents "want to see more science and technology in the media", while a majority believes that science improves people's opportunities and quality of life, but also contributes to job losses and environmental damage.
Ms Rose Kevany, of the DISCovery team, said we live in a world where technical terms are common but seldom understood. However, persuading decision makers of the need for a science centre was "like trying to get a horse into a lift".
Following a wide ranging discussion the conference agreed that, in order to improve the chances of establishing a national science centre, the existing science centre projects would form a network.