Welcome to the National Science Museum at St. Patrick's College Maynooth

The museum houses many beautiful ecclesiastical and scientific artefacts.

The religious artefacts include vestments, rosary beads, crucifixes, chalices etc. In particular the gold thread inlay vestments presented to the College by the Empress of Austria are of particular note.

The Scientific artefacts include the apparatus of the reknowned Nicholas Callan, inventor of the induction coil. Also included are many of the electro-magnets, electric motors and batteries which he used in his research.

The museum also displays early apparatus associated with telegraphy, notably items used by Marconi in the first published newspaper story obtained by "wireless" transmission in 1898, and an important collection of demonstration and research instruments, especially in the areas of light and sound.

We hope you find the following pages of interest, and take the opportunity to visit the museum where the full collection can be truly appreciated. Not all items catalogued on this site are on show in the Museum. The size of the collection requires some rotation of the displays. Should you have any specific queries please contact the Curator, Dr. Niall McKeith.