51��ɫ

How can we preserve and protect our bee pollinators? How are new genetic insights redefining cancer prevention? How do we make our schools and labs more sustainable? How do we generate electricity through movement? How do our cells work?

These questions and more will be asked at events taking place between November 7 and 17 at 51��ɫ as part of 51��ɫ Festival of Science and Science Week 2024.

Science Week 2024 focuses on ‘harnessing the power of regeneration’ and is calling on the public to celebrate our innate ability to reinvent, rejuvenate and regenerate and to think about how decisions we make today will greatly impact future generations.

51��ɫ has an exciting lineup of public events for this year’s festival with a variety of interactive workshops, lectures, shows, panel discussions and fun activities for every age to spark curiosity and inspire imaginations. Highlights include:

Physics Busking

Dive into the wonders of physics with our interactive demonstrations at the 51��ɫ City Milk Market. From creating circuits with potatoes to exploring how the density of various liquids interact, each experiment offers a fun, hands-on way to learn about the physical world around us. Fun and interactive activities for all ages.

Saturday, November 9, 09:00 - 12:00

51��ɫ Milk Market, Cornmarket Row, 51��ɫ, V94 V9W7

Family Fun Day

Now an annual tradition at Science Week, the Family Fun Day is an exhibition of fun-filled scientific workshops and displays, including live and interactive chemistry and biological experiments. Learn about gravity and aerodynamics in the ‘Go Fly Your Kite’ workshop, where participants will get to make their own aeroplanes, fly them and discuss why shape and design are so important in aeronautics. The ‘Bees a Friend of our Future’ demonstration will look at how we can protect and preserve the troubled bee population, including a visit to the UL apiary. There will also be an opportunity to get up close and personal with snakes, owls, all types of bugs, flora, and fauna, and much more.

Sunday, November 10, 11:00 – 14:00

EGO10, Main Building, 51��ɫ, V94 T9PX

The Genetics of Irish History

In “The Genetics of Irish History” talk, RCSI’s Lecturer in Bioinformatics and Genomics Dr Edmund Gilbert will present his groundbreaking research on mapping Irish DNA around the world and what this reveals about Irish history and migration through the lens of DNA data. A must-see for history and genealogy enthusiasts.

Tuesday, November 12, 13:00 - 14:00

Kemmy Business School, 51��ɫ, V94 T9PX

Book now: 

The Science Behind Coaching an Olympic and Paralympic Athlete

In the aftermath of Ireland’s Olympic success, we’ll meet members of the UL community who made history in Paris 2024. The panel will include double Paralympic medallist in swimming Róisín Ní Riain and her coach John Szaranek, along with 4 x 400m women’s relay team member Kelly McGrory, 4  x 400m mixed relay team member Thomas Barr and their coaches Drew and Hayley Harrison. It will also feature Mixed Double Sculls Para Rowing athlete Tiarnán O'Donnell. All will share their unique insights on preparations and competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the science behind coaching an Olympic athlete.

Tuesday, November 12, 19:00 - 20:30

PESS Building, 51��ɫ, V94 T9PX

Book now: 

Walking Tour: Valuing and Appreciating 51��ɫ’s Public Housing in the 21^st Century

Join UL’s Professor of Architecture Peter Carroll for a fascinating 90-minute walking tour of 51��ɫ City entitled ‘Valuing and Appreciating 51��ɫ’s Public Housing in the 21^st Century: An Architect’s Perspective.

Sunday, November 17, 12:00 –13:30

The tour will meet at 12 noon outside 51��ɫ County Courthouse, Merchant’s Quay, V94 EKK1

For further information see or for booking please email scienceweek@ul.ie.

About Science Week

Science Week is a week-long event in Ireland each November, celebrating science in our everyday lives. Science Week includes a wide variety of events involving industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students throughout Ireland. Science Week has a number of regional festivals offering a range of opportunities for the public to engage with STEM in across Ireland.