The full spectrum of scientific research and endeavour, from artificial intelligence to space exploration, will be showcased and celebrated at this year’s Science Week, which takes place from November 9th to 16th. Supported by Research Ireland and marking its 30th anniversary this year, Science Week features events and festivals across the country that connect the general public with science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) through a wide variety of activities.
The dynamic nationwide programme includes in-person public events which are mostly free to attend as well as engaging educational content and activities for both primary and secondary schools.
Research Ireland head of public engagement Rachel Iredale says Science Week has grown into a cornerstone of Ireland’s national calendar “inspiring generations to explore the role of science in shaping our world – past, present, and future”.
The theme for this year’s Science Week is “Then. Today. Tomorrow”, says Iredale: “For Science Week 2025, Research Ireland is encouraging people to explore how science and research have shaped and improved the lives we live today, while also looking at the questions and challenges of tomorrow, and how insights from the past can influence our future decisions.”
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Science Week is unusual internationally, she points out. “Ireland leads the way in having a science week co-ordinated nationally for so many years. Lots of other countries have city- or university-led science weeks, but not national ones. Ireland was one of the very first countries in the world to see the importance of science and promote it in this way.”
The nature of Science Week also sets it apart, as Iredale explains: “It’s much more about two-way dialogue and a participatory model now. It’s a national programme but we fund a lot of regional festivals and events. This year we have 36 different events and festivals across 19 counties. It’s very much a regional support hub and spoke model with hubs in all the regions.”
Local engagement is very important. “There will be events in community centres, libraries, GAA clubs, men’s sheds and so on,” says Iredale. “That is a great way of engaging the public with science. Wherever you live in the country, there is sure to be an event or festival near you.”
The launch event takes place in Cork this year, where renowned spectacle theatre company Macnas will bring its troupe of drummers, stilt walkers and puppets to the city to tell a powerful story about biodiversity loss and the gradual disappearance of the corncrake across Ireland on Sunday, November 9th. The decline of the corncrake, known for its distinctive call, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect habitats and biodiversity. An installation inspired by the performance will remain at Marina Market, alongside the Science Week-funded SpaceFest, until Thursday, November 13th.
Another event sure to attract a lot of interest will be Luke Jerram’s spectacular Museum of the Moon – a 7m sphere featuring detailed imagery of the lunar surface – at Dublin’s Merrion Square from November 13th to 15th. A specially curated programme of performances will accompany the installation, offering audiences an exciting and thought-provoking experience.
“The event is free to attend and offers people a unique view of the moon,” says Iredale. “They will be able to walk around the model and see what is popularly called the ‘dark side of the moon’. There will also be other lunar-themed events on Merrion Square for people to attend.”
Other events around the country will include the Festival of Sport and Health Sciences: Looking Back, Jumping Forwards in Westmeath; the Light Laboratory: Optical Science Past, Present, Future in Cork; Applied Psychology: From Lab to Life in Westmeath; Generating Futures: Using AI to Imagine Sustainable Places in Galway; Climate Creation: Collage, Poetry and Zines in a Changing World in Louth; Coastal Cartographies – Place-Based Science from Ireland’s Coastal Communities in Waterford; Rainbow Lab: Bringing the Science of Colour to your Home in Galway; Bias – Inequality in Women’s Health and Research in Dublin; Un-Natural Frequency (a musical performance showcasing our changing world) in Clare; Juggling Quadratics for Queens in Leitrim; and Baking in Space 2025 – Journey Beyond the Crust! in Louth.
“Research Ireland is encouraging people to explore how science and research have shaped and improved the lives we live today, while also looking at the questions and challenges of tomorrow, and how insights from the past can influence our future decisions,” says Iredale.
“For 30 years, Science Week has been sparking curiosity and bringing people together through science. We’re delighted to see such a wide range of events taking place across the country again this year. The success and appeal of Science Week is due primarily to the creativity and tireless work of local organisers and volunteers. Research Ireland wishes to thank them for making Science Week such a vibrant, nationwide celebration.”
For more information visit scienceweek.ie.
