11 | FitzGerald Building: The man who split the atom

Plaque to Nobel physicist, Prof Ernest Walton

George Francis FitzGerald attempts take-off, during Trinity week

TCD physicist Ernest Walton (1903-95) shared the 1951 Nobel prize for physics, for his work in splitting the atom in 1932. The discovery, an act of modern alchemy (he and John Cockcroft transformed lithium into helium), ushered in the era of nuclear power. Walton is the only Irish person to win a Nobel science prize –yet! -- but Ireland can claim several others by association, including Marconi and Schrodinger.

Another noted TCD physicist was Prof George Francis FitzGerald (1851-1901). One of the great 'ideas men' of the late 1800s, he influenced the development of electromagnetism, radio, and relativity.His uncle, who also studied at TCD, was George Johnstone Stoney, the man who, you could say, 'invented' the electron.

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• Track 11 | The man who split the atom (6 mins) [MP3, 5.68mB]