Moon Rock Donated to Ireland Lost in Fire

A piece of moon rock donated to Ireland following the Apollo 11 mission was destroyed in a fire after spending three years in a government basement. The rock was presented to President Éamon de Valera in 1970 and intended for display, but indecision led to its prolonged storage at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. It was eventually moved to Dunsink Observatory, where it was lost in a fire on October 3, 1977. Fortunately, the US had previously gifted a second piece of moon rock, which is now displayed at the National Museum of Ireland. This incident highlights the challenges faced in preserving such valuable artifacts, as many moon rocks from the Apollo missions have gone missing or been damaged over the years. The fate of Ireland's moon rock serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of proper care and display of cultural treasures.