Kilkenny Science Festival Kicks Off Nov 9-16, Celebrates 30 Years

UPDATE: The Kilkenny Science Festival is set to ignite excitement from November 9-16, 2025, as part of the nation-wide celebration of Science Week. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Science Week, shining a spotlight on the importance of science in everyday life.

Events across Kilkenny will engage participants of all ages, with an emphasis on the theme: ‘Then. Today. Tomorrow.’ This theme invites attendees to explore the evolution of science and its impact on our lives, while also contemplating future challenges and solutions.

More than five festivals will take place, featuring hands-on workshops and educational sessions. Notable events include:

– **Pigment Experiments and Paper Creations** – Saturday, November 15, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, led by artist Mary Conroy. This workshop connects art and science by teaching participants to create natural pigments inspired by the medieval Red Book of Ossory.

– **Microscopic Worlds: A Photography Workshop** – Saturday, November 15, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Evans Home, Kilkenny. Participants will be guided by biologist and photographer Tasneem Khan to capture the hidden beauty of nature using microscopes.

– **Fossils to the Future** – Sunday, November 9, from 2:30 PM to 4 PM at The Estate Yard, Ardra. This family-friendly event will explore evolution and inspire creativity, making it a perfect outing for children and families.

In a significant boost for the festival, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, announced €847,820 in funding to support 14 festivals and hundreds of events across Ireland.

“Science Week is now a key event across Ireland, connecting people with science through engaging activities,” said Minister Lawless. He emphasized that this funding aims to enhance the public’s understanding of how science impacts their daily lives and encourages everyone to participate.

Director of Science for Society at Research Ireland, Dr. Ruth Freeman, remarked, “For 30 years, Science Week has been sparking curiosity and bringing people together through science.” She highlighted the importance of celebrating past achievements while looking toward future possibilities.

With such a diverse lineup of events, the Kilkenny Science Festival promises to be an engaging and educational experience for all. For more details and a complete list of events, visit www.scienceweek.ie and follow the conversation using the hashtags #scienceweek and #Then.Today.Tomorrow.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of science and its influence on our lives today and tomorrow!