Guglielmo Marconi Exhibition opens at dlr Lexicon

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Irish-Italian scientist Guglielmo Marconi, the Embassy of Italy in Ireland, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are celebrating the Italian genius by recalling some of his extraordinary inventions in an exhibition hosted at dlr LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre in Dún Laoghaire from 15 April until 8 June 2025.

The exhibition, curated by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy of Rome, displays memorabilia objects that tell the story of Guglielmo Marconi's scientific experience between research and experiments on electromagnetism, including transmitting and receiving devices, telegraphs and radios, historical photographs and videos from the Istituto Luce and the Museo Storico della Comunicazione in Rome.  Reproductions of philatelic issues courtesy of Poste Italiane and images from the Italian Navy and from RAI TV broadcaster complete the exhibition.

An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Jim O’Leary welcomed the initiative and noted:

“This exhibition makes science accessible to everyone.  The objects on display will be of interest to all ages bringing adults back to memories of the past and introducing children to items never seen before.”

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council added:

“Dún Laoghaire itself is a very important place in the history of Marconi's scientific discoveries.  On the 20th of July 1898 Marconi succeeded in transmitting reports of the Kingstown Sailing Regatta by wireless to a building on the mainland for newspaper publication. The building is still there, directly opposite dlr LexIcon Library and it houses a plaque, commemorating that event, which was unveiled on the 20th of July 1998 to mark the centenary of that historic event.”

The Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Mr. Nicola Faganello emphasised the importance of the ties that unite Italy and Ireland through the figure of Guglielmo Marconi:

“He was a brilliant scientist of the 20th century and a great friend of the country that hosts us, both because he was Irish on his mother's side (of the Jameson family) and because he carried out important and pioneering experiments in intercontinental radiobroadcasting on this island.”

Marconi, who spoke perfect English, was also the founder, among others, of the BBC in England.

Alongside the exhibition, dlr LexIcon will run events for schools and families, and there will be also a lecture on Marconi by Dr. Joe Varley during May.

For full details visit https://libraries.dlrcoco.ie/

The exhibition runs until 8 June 2025 (closed 19-21 April and 3-5 May) and admission is free. 

Opening hours:

Monday-Thursday 9.30am–8.00pm

Friday- Saturday 9.30am–5.00pm

Sunday 12.00pm–4.00pm