Leviathan of Parsonstown

18451.8 m mirrorBirr Castle demesne
LocationIreland
Year1845
Size1.8 m mirror
OperatorBirr Castle demesne

About Leviathan of Parsonstown

Built by William Parsons, the Earl of Rosse, in the grounds of Birr Castle. The largest telescope on Earth for 72 years until the Hooker telescope of 1917. With it Parsons first glimpsed the spiral structure of what we now know are galaxies. Fully restored to working order in 1999.