Picture: Keith Wiseman
ONE of only 24 astronauts to fly to the Moon visited the offices of Limerick City and County Council this week during his two-day trip to the Mid West.
Former astronaut Alfred ‘Al’ Worden was welcomed to Merchants Quay by Cathaoirleach Cllr Kevin Sheahan. Mr Worden’s visit to Limerick also saw him host a lecture at LIT and attend a dinner in The Pavilion Restaurant at the University of Limerick.
Worden is one of five men and the only one still living who flew further from Earth than any others when their Apollo 15 command module travelled to the far side of the Moon in 1971. The Michigan native, now 82, was the Command Module pilot for the lunar mission, which also saw him perform the first deep-space EVA during Apollo 15’s homeward journey.
In 2011, Worden’s memoir ‘Falling To Earth’ made the LA Times Bestseller list.
Welcoming Mr Worden to Limerick, Cllr Sheahan said: “Al’s story is unique and his memories of his pioneering Apollo 15 mission remain as clear today as they did some 43 years ago. His visit to LIT and UL will no doubt inspire science students and those looking to fulfil their career goals, no matter how lofty they may be.”
Cllr Sheahan also acknowledged Paul Ryan, a Ballybricken native and space enthusiast who invited Mr. Worden to visit Limerick.
