Science Week and SpaceFest to send Cork cosmic this month

A ‘Cosmic cartography’ event, a galaxy lanterns evening, and a private tour of the UCC observatory are all part of the schedule for this year’s Science Week celebration in Cork.

Taking place from November 8 to 15, Science Week 2026 is a celebration of all things science.

This year’s Science Week theme, Water: From Molecule to Ocean, invites people to explore water at every scale, from an essential building block of life to a powerful force shaping the planet.

SpaceFest will also run from November 7 to 14 in Cork as part of Science Week, with events for people of all ages.

The Science Week events taking place in Cork include:

Cosmic Cartography exhibition, Marina Market, Cork, until November 11;

Water in Motion — From Orbit to Air, MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, from Monday to November 13;

Galaxy lanterns evening at O’Sho Cork, November 10, 7pm;

Chemistry UnCORKed exhibition, The HUB, University College Cork, November 12 and 13;

Science at the Marina: Cooking in Space!, Marina Market, November 12, 11am;

Private tour of UCC’s Crawford Observatory (1881), November 12, 6pm;

What’s in our wetlands? Water, wildlife & chemicals? Bramley Lodge Restaurant, Carrigtwohill, November 14, 11am.

More events in the region and across the country can be found at www.scienceweek.ie.

Science Week 2026 will feature 15 festivals and more than 200 events nationwide, offering activities for people of all ages. The programme is designed to make science accessible and with no specialist knowledge needed to take part.

Looking ahead to Science Week 2026, Diarmuid O’Brien of Research Ireland, said this year’s theme is one everyone can relate to as it encourages us to take a closer look at how water has shaped our planet and our lives and at our relationship with this vital resource.