Sweets, superheroes, constellations and more! Science Week is Ireland’s biggest annual celebration of STEM, held every November, and it fills museums, libraries and community spaces around the country with extraordinary, hands-on events for families.
To show you just how brilliant Science Week can be, we’ve rounded up 14 of the most memorable events from recent years — a flavour of the kind of jaw-dropping, hands-on fun your family can expect when Science Week comes around again. Because the programme changes every year, not every event below will run in exactly the same form again, but they’re a brilliant snapshot of what’s out there. Keep an eye on the official Science Week programme closer to the time for this year’s full line-up and booking details.
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Extraordinary Science Week Events
Glendalough LEGO Open Day Workshops with National Museum of Ireland
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At the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology in Dublin, families got to view the Medieval Glendalough LEGO model — a stunning creation by LEGO artist Jessica Farrell made from over 40,000 bricks.
Hands-on LEGO workshops let children contribute to one of the longest LEGO walls ever built in Ireland. Throughout the day, visitors met archaeologists and experts, learned about the history of Glendalough, viewed replica artefacts from local excavations, and watched a video on the area’s archaeology.
The 45-minute LEGO workshops were aimed at children aged 7–12, and every child’s LEGO creation was put on display for other visitors to enjoy.
Let’s Talk Science Festival
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Hosted by the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, Dublin, this festival centres on conversations around STEM, aiming to engage and inspire young people to get involved in science, technology, engineering and maths through workshops, demonstrations and talks.
Journey to the Heart of the Cell
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Staged at Blanchardstown Library in Dublin, this interactive science show — suitable for children aged 10 and up — used drama to bring the biology of the cell to life, exploring cell differentiation and how cells are manipulated in the laboratory.
To Space with Niamh!
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At Tallaght Library in Dublin, ESA Champion and space storyteller Dr Niamh Shaw shared her passion for space exploration — from launches at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to chatting with astronaut Chris Hadfield — and inspired families to dream big about the future of space travel.
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Fun-Believable Science Show
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At the Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, “Doctor Brain” — performer Jeff Keough — combined juggling and circus tricks with real science explanations, then invited students up to try the tricks themselves. Topics covered included how gravity affects falling objects, whether centripetal force can beat gravity, how optical illusions work, and how things balance.
Jeff Keough has more than 25 years’ experience as an entertainer, having performed at the White House and Leinster House, and toured with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth.”
Secrets of Superhero Science
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At Nenagh Library in Co Tipperary, physicist and science communicator Dr Barry Fitzgerald explored the real science behind iconic superpowers — from the engineering behind an Iron Man-style suit, to real-life attempts at artificial spider silk, to the technology behind invisibility.
Dr Fitzgerald is the author of several books, including Secrets of Superhero Science and How to Build an Iron Man Suit, and has spoken at schools and science festivals around the world.
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Cosmic Clouds Family Workshop with GLOBE
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At the National Space Centre in Midleton, Co Cork, families became citizen scientists for the day, learning to record cloud observations with the GLOBE Program Observer App, building their own light-up cloud sculptures from recycled materials, and touring the site’s ground stations and iconic 32-metre satellite dish.
The day combined a hands-on GLOBE workshop on cloud formation and the water cycle with a creative session led by Greywood Arts, followed by a guided tour of the National Space Centre.
How Does Climate Change Affect Our Weather?
At Dundalk Library in Co Louth, Met Éireann senior forecaster Gerry Murphy explained how the Earth’s climate is changing and how that change is contributing to significant weather events around the world — a great introduction to climate science for older children and teens.
The Physics of Aerial Flight with Circus Factory
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Also at the National Space Centre in Midleton, engineer and performer Brian O’Mahony teamed up with Circus Factory artists to explore the physics of flight through aerial circus performance, demonstrating conservation of angular momentum with audience volunteers invited to try key concepts themselves. This session was aimed at ages 16 and up.
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Sligo Science Festival
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At ATU Sligo, the Annual Science Fair kicked off a week of Science Week events with an all-day family programme including sustainable food demonstrations, kitchen chemistry, circus-style science performers, a dangerous science stage show, and hands-on science-through-magic sessions.
The Big Family STEM Day
At Monaghan Institute, this jam-packed day brought together LEGO robotics, coding, kite-making, farming activities, ocean exploration, and “scientists on stilts” for a full family programme of workshops and demonstrations.
Plant Science Week
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At the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, a week-long plant science festival explored everything from the diversity of plants — tiny seeds to towering trees — to ingenious plant adaptations, with talks on tea and chocolate, tea ceremonies and tastings, plus family activities, experiments and botanical art workshops.
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Family Robot Relay Race
At MTU Kerry North Campus in Tralee, families built a robot together and raced it in a relay, picking up interesting robot facts (and fiction) along the way. Suitable for children aged 6 to 12.
Marble Run and Bridge-Building Challenge
Also at MTU Kerry North Campus in Tralee, this drop-in engineering challenge invited families to build structures from miniature wooden planks with guidance from practising regional engineers, alongside information displays about engineering as a career.
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Regional Science Week Festivals Across Ireland
Science Week is also marked by regional festivals right around the country, each with its own local programme of family events:
- Cavan & Monaghan Science Festival
- Cork Science Festival
- Festival of Farming & Food, Teagasc (Galway)
- Galway Science & Technology Festival
- Limerick Festival of Science
- Mayo Science & Technology Festival
- Midlands Science Festival
- Southeast Science Festival
- Sligo Science Festival
- Tipperary Festival of Science
- WexSci Wexford Science Festival
It’s worth searching for your own county’s festival closer to Science Week each year, as local programmes are usually announced a few weeks in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Science Week?
Science Week is Ireland’s national celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), bringing together museums, libraries, universities and local festivals in a week of family-friendly events.
When does Science Week take place?
Science Week takes place every year, typically in November. Exact dates and the full programme are usually confirmed closer to the time, so it’s worth checking nearer November for what’s on near you.
Are Science Week events free?
Many Science Week events are free or very low cost, as a lot of the programme is supported by public funding, though this can vary by organiser and venue — so it’s always worth checking individual event listings.
Do I need to book in advance?
Some events, especially workshops with limited spaces, require booking, while others are drop-in. Check each event’s own listing for booking details.
What ages are Science Week events suitable for?
Science Week caters for a wide range of ages, from preschoolers through to teenagers, with many festivals running dedicated family days alongside more in-depth sessions for older children.
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Don’t Miss Out
Science Week only comes around once a year, so it’s easy to miss brilliant local events if you’re not looking out for them. Bookmark this page or save it to your browser so you can come back for inspiration when Science Week season arrives — and browse our other science and learning ideas any time you fancy some hands-on fun at home.
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