Cork's Carnival of Science returns to city in June

The annual Cork Carnival of Science will return to the city centre this summer, with several new shows and activities added to the event programme.

The free festival, organised by Cork City Council and funded through the Research Ireland Discover Programme, is one of Ireland’s largest outdoor STEM experiences, and will take place at Fitzgerald Park on June 6 and 7.

It will feature a range of live performances, interactive exhibits and roaming entertainment. A new show, ‘The Science of Hogwarts from Science 2 Life’, will include live spell-making demonstrations, offering a playful introduction to physics.

Attendees can further expect to see RTÉ’s Mark the Science Guy, who will take to the stage with ‘Science is My Superhero’, and physicists from Simply Science, who will invite audiences to explore the question, ‘What’s The Worst That Could Happen?.’

Other highlights include The Circus Science Show, building and problem-solving at LEGO Education stations, designing LED creations in soldering workshops, the Aquaculture Remote Classroom, the Curiosity Cube from Merck, and Living Seawalls.

Visitors can also expect to encounter scientists on stilts carrying out experiments mid-air, stumble across balloon-powered math challenges, or follow storytelling sessions that explore the science of flight through rockets and hot air balloons.

Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, said the annual celebration has become “a highlight of the city’s summer calendar and a wonderful use of one of our most loved public spaces in Fitzgerald Park”.

“It’s a great example of how Cork City Council supports events that are open, inclusive and genuinely engaging for families,” said Mr Dennehy.

“What makes this festival so special is the way it sparks curiosity in a fun and memorable way, particularly for young people, and I’d encourage everyone to come along and be part of it.”

Head of public engagement for Research Ireland, Dr Rachel Iredale, said the organisation is “proud to support the Cork Carnival of Science through the Discover Programme, as the event makes science accessible for all”.

“Festivals like this play an important role in broadening interest in STEM, particularly among young people, by giving them the chance to experience science in a hands-on and memorable way,” said Dr Iredale.

“By bringing researchers and communities together in a welcoming setting, the carnival helps to inspire the next generation to explore and consider futures in STEM.”

For information, or the full programme of events, visit: www.corkcity.ie/corkcarnivalofscience.