Date: September 13   Time: 15:00 - 16:00

The memorial service will be live streamed and screened at the castle from 15:00, September 13

A limited number of seats will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis; no admission fee applies

On Saturday August 25 the world heard the news that the first man who walked on the moon had sadly passed away. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong, who led the Apollo 11 mission, became the first human to walk on the moon. Neil Armstrong inspired generations and always remained a humble hero to the last. Armstrong died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. He was 82.

A public memorial service will be held at the Washington National Cathedral to honour the life and career of astronaut Neil Armstrong on Thursday, Sept. 13.

NASA Dignitaries, community and political leaders, members of the Armstrong family and members of the NASA family, including current and former astronauts will attend the service which will be live streamed and screened at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory.

In 2000 Neil Armstrong said “I am, and will ever be, a white-socks, pocket protector, nerdy engineer, born under the second law of thermodynamics, steeped in steam tables, in love with free-body diagrams, transformed by Laplace and propelled by compressible flow…..and I take a substantial amount of pride in the accomplishments of my profession.”

His family has stated “For those who may ask what they can do to honour Neil we have a simple request. Honour his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:   http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Just what was the significance of the moon landings? Playback on Newstalk to hear Dr Niall Smith, head of research at CIT and founding member of Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork