Inks and Skins among 50 free events at Kilkenny Science Festival, November 11-19

Ever wondered how our forefathers created books? Or how book-making traditions and techniques varied across Ireland and can tell us so much about ancient social history?

A free Inks and Skins event with Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin from UCC at Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Museum will lift the lid on the craft and is an absolute must for anyone with an interest in science, history and the social history of ancient Kilkenny.

Professor Ó Macháin conducted an in-depth analysis of the Kilkenny’s Liber Primus, one of the three great manuscripts of Kilkenny. The 86-page manuscript is a medieval social history of the county, and the UCC Professor investigated the composition of the ink used. His research involved a combination of enhanced visual analysis, multi-spectral imaging, and X-Ray Fluorescence scanning.

Ink and Skins begins at noon on Sunday, November 12, and is just one of over 50 free events for adults, children and all the family that runs as part of Kilkenny Science Festival which this year runs from November 11 to 19 in museums, theatres, galleries, libraries, pubs and a brewery even.

The extensive programme of free events is brought to the public by CALMAST at SETU, with support from Science Foundation Ireland, Kilkenny Council, and Glanbia and the EPA. For pre-booking and further information on all events, visit www.STEMKILKENNY.ie.

Laura Keenan, Senior Curator and Manager at the Medieval Mile Museum said the free event is an absolute must for anyone who is curious about social history, history, literature and life and times in medieval Kilkenny.

“Professor Padraig is extremely entertaining and engaging. He is such a mine of information. He will examine the Liber Primus and give us an insight into the pigments and materials used in it. We can see what and who was writing in it at the time. He will use an electronic microscope and project his findings onto a screen so everyone can see exactly what he is doing,” she said.

The Medieval Mile Museum event is one of many for the public, for schools, children and families that feature as part of this year’s free Kilkenny Science Festival.

This year’s free programme includes everything from an interactive, fun-filled event featuring experiments and demonstrations with scientist and TV star, Mark the Science Guy at Kilkenny Castle to an entertaining, circus-like experience for all the family at The Set Theatre with Dr Ken as he eats fire, cracks whips, juggles and explores the scientific principles behind skilful circus tricks and dangerous stunts.