Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has today announced €847,820 in funding to support events and festivals taking place nationwide as part of Science Week 2025.
Marking its 30th anniversary this year, Science Week is coordinated by Research Ireland and celebrates science in our everyday lives. Running from 9th–16th November, with 14 festivals and hundreds of events taking place nationwide, the theme for this year’s campaign is Then. Today. Tomorrow.
For Science Week 2025, Research Ireland is encouraging people to explore how science and research have shaped and improved the lives we live today, while also looking at the questions and challenges of tomorrow, and how insights from the past can influence our future decisions.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Lawless said: “Science Week is now a key event across Ireland, connecting people with science through engaging activities. I am delighted to announce my department’s support for this year’s programme with over €847,000 in funding for 36 projects. Science shapes every minute of our daily lives, from protecting the environment to driving healthcare and technological innovation, and so much more besides.”
This year’s theme, ‘Then. Today. Tomorrow.’, invites us to reflect on past progress and future possibilities, and, above all, enjoy the experiences. I encourage everyone to get involved and attend one of the many events happening around the country this Science Week.
Welcoming the launch of Science Week 2025, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland, Dr Ruth Freeman, said: “For 30 years, Science Week has been sparking curiosity and bringing people together through science. Our anniversary theme of ‘Then. Today. Tomorrow.’ is a chance to both celebrate the endeavours of yesteryear that have brought us to where we are today, and to consider what may lie ahead for individuals, families, communities, Ireland, and the entire planet. We’re delighted to see such a wide range of events taking place across the country again this year. The success and appeal of Science Week is due primarily to the creativity and tireless work of local organisers and volunteers. I want to sincerely thank them for making Science Week such a vibrant, nationwide celebration.”
Science Week 2025 Festival highlights include:
- DUBLIN: Luke Jerram’s spectacular Museum of the Moon – a seven-metre diameter sphere featuring detailed imagery of the lunar surface – is coming to Dublin’s Merrion Square from 13th – 15th. A specially-curated programme of performances will accompany the installation, offering audiences an exciting and thought-provoking experience in celebration of 30 years of Science Week. The event is free to attend and will open to the public on Thursday 13th November (booking information will be accessible on scienceweek.ie closer to the time);
- CORK: Renowned spectacle theatre company, Macnas, makes its Cork premiere at Marina Market, Cork, for Science Week 2025. On Sunday, 9th November, Macnas will bring its vibrant troupe of drummers, stilt walkers, and puppets to Cork city to tell a powerful story about biodiversity loss and the gradual disappearance of the corncrake across Ireland. Known for its distinctive and recognisable call, the corncrake’s decline serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect habitats and biodiversity. An installation inspired by the performance will remain at Marina Market, alongside the Science Week-funded SpaceFest, until Thursday, 13th November.
For more information on how to get involved, visit scienceweek.ie, and follow along on social media with hashtags #scienceweek and #ThenTodayTomorrow.