Irish astronomical societies

This is a question regarding the relationtionship between IFAS, AI and IAS. I note that IFAS is a federation of member clubs including IAS. However, IAS claims to be

the National Society for Ireland

and AI claim to be

Ireland's national Astronomy Society

.

What's the story here?

For the record I had a membership with AI but allowed it to lapse for no particular reason other than I lost interest in magazines and had no other reason for remaining a member.

AI is a National Club that is not an Affiliate member of IFAS.

I think all other clubs in Ireland (I may be corrected) are.

There are no (as far as I can see) official links between the organisations.

There are some unofficial links (some members of this board are officers in AI)

The IAS is a Nation Club affiliated to IFAS.

Each Affiliated IFAS club is an Independent club.

yea, that pretty much sums it up.

If AI were "Ireland's National Astronomy Society", i would have assumed they would have a Forum/bulliten board on their site just like this one.

They dont.

IFAS has members from all clubs posting here so it kinda spells it out that IFAS is the central hub for astronomy in Ireland.

Just my 2 cents.

If AI were "Ireland's National Astronomy Society", i would have assumed they would have a Forum/bulliten board on their site just like this one. They dont.
IFAS has members from all clubs posting here so it kinda spells it out that IFAS is the central hub for astronomy in Ireland.
Just my 2 cents.

Well, IFAS is the central hub for all those associated with IFAS member clubs and whoever else finds IFAS in a search for astronomy in Ireland. AI has many more current signed up members nationwide than all the IFAS clubs put together so is quite entitled to claim what it does. The relationship between IFAS and AI is far more at peace than in former times so let's hope everyone involved in astronomy in Ireland just enjoys the hobby no matter what club or organisation they belongs to or whether they are observers, photographers, armchair astronomers, magazine readers...

let's hope everyone involved in astronomy in Ireland just enjoys the hobby no matter what club or organisation they belongs to or whether they are observers, photographers, armchair astronomers, magazine readers...

I couldn't agree more Gordon.