2022

Boyle’s father Richard was the most successful colonial adventurer in 16th /17th Century Ireland. Income from lands in Ireland help fund Boyle’s scientific programme. Boyle also had interests in certain colonial enterprises. In the succeeding centuries there has been an interrelationship between science and colonialism. It is timely to examine these issues and we will consider the Boyle family, Boyle’s own interests, the relationship between science and colonialism and the part Irish people played in colonial ventures. As is our custom, in light of the past, we look at current and future issues.