Marconi: The Irish Connection

by Michael Sexton

The pioneer of radio communication, Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937), had an Irish mother, Annie Jameson, and married, as his first wife, Beatrice O'Brien, daughter of Lord Inchiquin of Dromoland Castle, County Clare. This study traces Marconi's Irish and Italian family connections, and his work in Ireland, in particular the installations of his radio signalling stations at Crookhaven, Ballybunion and Clifden, which in 1907 was the most advanced station of its kind in the world.

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Christopher Rozario]

Historically, scientifically and geographically engaging. Sexton skilfully entwines Marconi's Italian and Irish heritage in a narrative that witnesses the birth of long distance realtime communication. He achieves this with humour, anecdote and accuracy so that one marvels at this pioneer's ingenuity and tenacity across countries and continents. This is complemented with pictures and illustrations that bring to life the immediacy of an emerging telecommunications industry at various geographical and historical 'staging posts'.