Inspired by a recent Irish Times article on ‘20 women to follow on Twitter‘, I asked some of my favourite Irish science tweeps to put their thinking hats on. Akin to a desert island challenge, what four (science) people would they recommend? Who inspires them, makes them think or simply tells the nerdiest jokes?

Between them they’ve come up with a brilliant list of 20 scientists, science communicators and writers that they’d recommend to you. If you follow someone that should be on the list, please feel free to add via comments below. Enjoy!

SHAUN O’BOYLE’S RECOMMENDATIONS (@shaunoboyle)

Robin Ince @robinince

Everyone should follow Robin Ince. He regularly lends his superhuman talents of observation to science and, in doing so, reveals how fantastic and ridiculous it can be at times.

Maryn McKenna @marynmck

Everyone should also follow one of my favourite science writers, Maryn McKenna. She brings science to life in every story she tells. Plus, most of the stories she tells are bloody important!

Carolyn Porco @carolynporco

Carolyn Porco is possibly the coolest person on the planet. She takes photos of Saturn and is the scientist I’d most like to invite to a dinner party.

Brian Cox @ProfBrianCox

I don’t care if everyone already knows who Brian Cox is, he’s brilliant and I can’t wait until Wonders of Life is on the BBC.

CLAIRE O’CONNELL’S RECOMMENDATIONS (@claireoconnell)

Kate Clancy @KateClancy

A biological anthropologist and ‘ladybusiness expert’, her columns (Context and Variation) in Scientific American offer beautifully written insights into some really biologically and socially complex issues. Go check them out!

Charles Choi @cqchoi

A science writer who writes about all manner of curious things. Really, check his work out, it really is top class.

Adam Rutherford @AdamRutherford

Entertaining, good banter on Twitter and, oh yeah, he’s a scientist and Nature editor who makes programmes and stuff like that.

Brian Clegg @brianclegg

An author and blogger who tweets interesting stuff about science. Well worth clicking on those links and hitting the bookmark when time is short.

HUMPHREY JONES’ RECOMMENDATIONS (@TheFrogBlog)

Ed Yong @edyong209

As well as tweeting his own brilliantly crafted posts, Ed finds some excellent posts from a wide spectrum of science areas, including research, policy, science communication and oddities.

Dean Burnett @garwboy

A new addition to the Guardian Science Blogging Network (Brain flapping), Dean not only writes humorous, well crafted sceptical insights into the scientific world but also manages to repeat this feat on the Twitter machine. Hugely entertaining and informing.

Aoife McLysaght @aoifemcl

Aoife may be Ireland’s best science communicator. Her tweets are entertaining, informative, personal and critical. Anyone interested in science in Ireland needs to follow Aoife.

Phil Plait @BadAstronomer

I am an astronomy nut and Phil is simply the best person to follow for all the latest astronomy news. His blog posts are easy to read, containing just the right amount of information for space enthusiasts. Similarly, his tweets are above all entertaining and link to the best astronomy images, videos and articles from across the web.

EOIN LETTICE’S RECOMMENDATIONS (@blogscience)

Calestous Juma @Calestous

Harvard Prof. with an interest in science for international development. Always informative and often a different view.

James Wong @Botanygeek

A botanist and BBC science TV presenter, he makes plants cool (not that they weren’t already, of course!).

Roger Highfield @RogerHighfield

Former editor of New Scientist magazine and now a columnist with the Daily Telegraph. Always tweets an interesting science story.

CATHERINE MCGUINNESS’ RECOMMENDATIONS (@CatsInTheMuseum)

Deirdre Kelleghan @skysketcher

Astronomer, artist, writer and award winning educator. Her passion for astronomy jumps off the screen and gives you two tight slaps. (Blogs at DeirdreKelleghan.net)

Dr Adam Stuart Smith @adamstuartsmith

Palaeontologist and museum curator. All you ever wanted to know about extinct marine reptiles but were afraid to ask. Interesting side-line in reviewing the scientific accuracy of dinosaur toys (Plesiosauria.com).

Mark Carwardine @MarkCarwardine1 [Instagram]

Zoologist, conservationist and photographer. Best known for “Last Chance to See” with Douglas Adams/Stephen Fry and the infamous kakapo tryst. I want to be him when I grow up.

James McInerney @jomcinerney

NUI Maynooth professor and founder of Answer.ie. Is to genetics and science education as Bruce Springsteen is to stadium rock concerts.

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You may be wondering where my recommendations are. I’m sticking with Ireland and insist that you follow the wonderful tweeps beside the photos above. They’re super nice and overflowing with interesting science information. Happy following!