I was watching it pass over southern Ireland earlier and I saw an equally bright object appear to detach and move away quiet rapidly at a right angle. Did any one else see this?
You most probably saw the shuttle undocking, which if true is a pretty cool thing to witness. I saw something like this many years ago whilst sleeping under the stars in the mountains and the total darkness made the viewing conditions perfect. I witnessed some rocket stage separating with a brief flash and falling away at an angle. Very impressive live.
Here's someone who managed to photograph the ISS and shuttle in the last few days from his back garden!
Amateur photographer captures space shuttle from back garden - Telegraph
SHJ