Ireland's Science Week explores water in different ways
· BehindLines newsroom
Water provides a thread for discussing science in Ireland (Irlande). Science Week 2026, coordinated by Research Ireland, is scheduled for 8–15 November. Its theme invites audiences to move from the scale of a molecule to that of oceans, connecting experiments, landscapes and questions about natural resources.
In its presentation on 5 November, Research Ireland highlights connections between water, living environments and human activities. The organisation has commissioned a series of ice sculptures from artist Daniel Doyle. The first public creation was announced for 8 November in Limerick: the programme alone does not establish how the event actually unfolded.
Different formats for different audiences
At Maynooth University, the schedule includes online presentations, workshops and demonstrations. Short talks on research at the campus are announced for 9 November, from 10:00 to noon, Irish time.
The family event Science Night is then scheduled for Friday, 13 November, from 18:00 to 20:30 on the north campus. The university announces chemistry experiments, activities involving bubbles and planetarium sessions among its offerings. The programme also includes an activity trail called H2O: Humanity 2.0, exploring connections between water, science, society and sustainability.
Free entry still requires a booking
Maynooth specifies that access to Science Night is free, but an entry ticket must be booked. Some sessions also require a separate reservation because capacity is limited. A general admission ticket therefore does not guarantee a place at every activity on the programme.
These events offer a choice between learning remotely and visiting the campus. For families, checking the time slot and booking arrangements for their chosen activity is more useful than remembering only the dates of the national week. No attendance figure for the current edition is given here.
Sources: Research Ireland, Maynooth's programme and Science Night information.