Space Week Ireland 2025 blasted off on Saturday, 4 October, with a family-friendly Space Festival at Cork School of Music, where audiences heard a fascinating first-hand account from former NASA astronaut Dan Tani about life aboard the International Space Station.
Dr Lisa McNamee discussed the hazards of space living, while Dr Josh Reynolds explored the effects of high-energy particles on human health. Families were in awe, and the questions kept coming. After the talks, they had the chance to engage with interactive science displays and workshops.
Coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO), the nationwide programme runs until 10 October and invites students, families, artists, engineers, and communities to explore how life on Earth can inform life beyond it, with the theme “Living in Space.”
The excitement continues as the Space Week Roadtrip journeys across Cork, Kerry, and Limerick for school and community events designed to spark curiosity and inspire Ireland’s next generation of explorers.
What’s On This Week
- Monday 6 October
- Tralee Library, Co. Kerry (10:00–13:30): Special primary school session Living in Space with Dan Tani and Dr Niall Smith, Head of Research at MTU and Head of BCO
- University of Limerick (7:00 pm): Public evening event hosted with the UL Rocketry Society.
- Tuesday 7 October
- Mary Immaculate College, Limerick: Morning school sessions followed by a lunchtime public talk (1:10–1:55 pm) on Living in Space.
- Nationwide All Week
- NASA Space Apps Hackathon in Athlone.
- Space-themed activities at Galway Atlantaquaria.
- ‘The Stars and the Universe Beyond’ stargazing evening at Maynooth University.
- ‘Museum in Space’ at the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny. From Tuesday 7th October to Friday 10th October, when you visit the Medieval Mile Museum, you can avail of the space live screen, a Lego Space Hunt and daily Space Stories at 9.30 am
- Space and Alligators School Sessions at the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny for Space Week!
- ‘Moon & Saturn Observing Watch’ From 8 pm to 10 pm on Wednesday, 8th October, join the South East Astronomy Club at Kingsmeadow Green, Old Cork Road, Waterford (X91 D622) for an observing watch and information evening.
Many events are free, while others are ticketed locally. The full programme is available at spaceweek.ie/events.
Those unable to attend in person can join the Space Week Roadtrip virtually via the BCO YouTube channel and explore Space Week TV at spaceweek.ie/tv.
For talks and skywatching — visit Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork: a year-round gateway to Ireland’s place among the stars.
To register a Space Week Ireland event, go to spaceweek.ie/add/, and for events near you, look up spaceweek.ie/events/
