I present below a small snapshot of just a fraction of the amazing achievements and inventions of Irish people. It is safe to say that the brilliant inventions & achievements of Irish people have had a profound effect on the world we live in. Every day I publish new Irish Success Stories and you can enjoy them for free just by clicking here
The White House – James Hoban of Kilkenny was the architect who was commissioned to design The White House in Washington in 1792 on the instructions of President George Washington He was also the Supervising Architect on the US Capitol building.
The Beaufort Scale - Sir Francis Beaufort of Meath County Navan created the Beaufort Scale measurement of wind force in 1806 that is still used by meteorologists, airlines and shipping companies throughout the world to this day.
The Submarine – John Philip Holland of Liscannor County Clare invented the first submarine to be formally commissioned by the U.S. Navy and the first ever Royal Navy submarine, the Holland 1.
Newgrange - Built in County Meath over 5,000 years ago, Newgrange is one of the world's oldest constructions. It is more than five hundred years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and predates Stonehenge by about a thousand years. Newgrange is regarded as one of the world's most important megalithic structures.
2nd Supreme Director (President) of Chile – Bernardo O’Higgins who’s family originated from County Sligo was the second Supreme Director of Chile (1817–1823), he is considered one of Chile's founding fathers, as he was the first holder of this title to head a fully independent Chilean state.
The Nickel-Zinc Battery – Dr James J. Drumm from Dundrum, Co Down invented a type of rechargeable battery in 1927 that may be used in cordless power tools, cordless telephones, digital cameras, battery operated lawn and garden tools, professional photography, electric bikes, and light electric vehicle sectors.
Hypodermic Syringe - Invented by Dr Francis Rynd of Dublin. In 1845, Dr. Rynd published an article in the ‘Dublin Medical Press' reporting how he had successfully used a hypodermic syringe to inject fluids into a patient. This was eight years before Alexander Wood, who has mistakenly been credited with inventing the first Hypodermic syringe in 1853.
Leprosy Cure - Cork man Dr Vincent Barry led a medical research team that discovered a compound (B663) that ultimately led to a treatment for leprosy. The team were working on a cure for tuberculosis at the time.
Nobel Literature Prize Winners – Samuel Beckett of Dublin, Seamus Heaney of Mossbawn, George Bernard Shaw of Dublin & William Butler Yeats of Sandymount County Dublin are each winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature. No other country of comparative population has 4 Nobel Literature Laureates.
Induction Coil – Dr Nicholas Callan of Dromiskin, Co. Louth invented both the induction coil (1836) and the self exacting dynamo (1838), both of which are still being used today.
Caterpillar Tracks - John Walker of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, invented a prototype of the caterpillar track to assist him in transporting logs over rough terrain to his saw mills. Caterpillar tracks are still used heavily in farming, construction, civil engineering and the military worldwide.
French President - Patrice de Mac-Mahon who’s family originate from County Limerick was the first President of the Third Republic of France from 1875 to 1879.
Guided Missiles - Louis Brennan of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, was the inventor of the world's first guided missile - a torpedo like device which was used as an early coastal defence mechanism.
Shorthand Speed Writing - John Robert Gregg of County Monaghan invented the shorthand system of speed writing in 1888. The Gregg system modelled the mechanics and positioning of traditional writing and was later adapted to several languages.
The Modern Tractor - Harry Ferguson of Dromore County Down designed and built a new plough system which was coupled to old style tractor in a three-point linkage, so that both formed a single unit. This Ferguson System, patented in 1926, was to revolutionise farming and is still in use 100 years later.
The Ejector Seat - Sir James Martin, an engineer from Co. Down, invented the world's first ejector seat. His device was first tested using a crash dummy in 1945, and the following year Bernard Ignatius Lynch (another Irish man) became first person to participate in a live test.
Splitting The Atom - Ernest Walton from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford in collaboration with John Cockcroft, became the first people in history to artificially split the atom, thus ushering in the nuclear age. Ernest Walton & John Cockroft were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work in 1951.
Steam Turbine - Charles Parsons from Birr, Co. Offaly, invented the world's first steam turbine in 1884 using vapourised water to power a rotor directly, as opposed to driving pistons. Charles Parson's technological innovation not only spurred further developments in powering ships, but also in generating electricity.
Seismology - Robert Mallet of Dublin was a geophysicist, civil engineer, and inventor who distinguished himself in research on earthquakes and is regarded as the Father of seismology. As a result of his work seismologists can now predict earthquakes in advance and have saved countless lives.
The Oscar - The golden Oscar statuette that is handed out at the Academy Awards every year was designed by Cedric Gibbons, who was born in Dublin in 1893. Cedric Gibbons emigrated to the US and became one of MGM Studios top set designers working on over 1,500 films. After designing the coveted prize, Cedric Gibbons went on to win a dozen Oscars himself.
As amazing as this list is, it is just the tip of the proverbial "Irish Success Stories" iceberg. There are literally hundreds more and they are published daily on the Irish Success Stories Facebook Page which has over 300,000 views every month. Click here to see them for yourself and put a smile on your face each day!