An Inishowen Festival
Exciting Wonder in Science
10-17 November 2024
Join us for the first
Gríosadh Science Festival
& immerse yourself in the wonders of science in Inishowen.
Download Brochure
With a packed line-up of workshops, experiments, demonstrations, talks, and tours across the Inishowen Peninsula, the week long festival will showcase how science and technology are driving growth and sustainability across farming, fishing, building, and textiles. With contributions from leading engineers, scientists, textile makers, and academics, this festival offers a chance to wonder at how innovation is tackling challenges and unlocking possibilities in rural communities.
Whether you’re young or old, curious or passionate about science, there’s something for everyone at this vibrant celebration of creativity, tradition, and innovation.
Wednesday 4th December
BUNCRANA
Don’t jump like an Elephant,
Run like one (Maybe)
The Science of Running Injuries and Novel Technology based Strategies to Reduce Injury Risk: This talk will introduce the science that underpins the development of overuse running injuries and how advancements in technology can be used to help improve athlete movement patterns, and potentially reduce injury risk. This talk will be facilitated by Dr Ciarán Ó Catháin, the programme director for the BSc. Hons in Sport Science with Exercise Physiology in Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), and Lead Investigator of the Sports Performance pillar of the SHE researches centre TUS.
6pm-8pm
Pre-Book (limited spaces)
II - Innovation Inishowen, F93 RT73
Sunday 10th November
CARNDONAGH
Open Day
with experiments, demonstrations and exhibits in a trail through Spraoi’s facilities.
Quiet Hour for families with additional needs from 1PM-2PM.
Circular Economy Hub Demonstration
Lorraine Carey, the creative force behind Síoraí Home, will host an upcycling demonstration. She will show you how to transform your preloved furniture and answer any questions you may have. This session will offer practical tips to help you reduce waste and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
1pm-2pm Quiet Hour
2pm-4pm Open Day
Pre-Register
Síoraí Home, F93 W7DP
Digital Creative Lab Open Day
Drop into the Digital Creative Lab with your kids and try your hand at energy generation, develop your coding skills with LEGO SPIKE and engage your digital creativity.
1pm-2pm Quiet Hour
2pm-4pm Open Day
Pre-Register
Unit 9, Spraoi agus Spórt, F93 EWV3
Building Resilient Communities – Sustainable Drainage & Nature-Based Engineering for Water Quality and Flood Management
The Inishowen River Trust will demonstrate the benefits of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Nature-Based Engineering (NBE) in enhancing water quality, climate change resilience, and flood mitigation. By making it rain on a special model house, participants will be able to understand the challenges we face with climate change and rainwater management. This event will also offer suggestions on how communities can look at managing rainwater, to improve water quality and reduce the risks from flooding.
2pm-4pm
Pre-Register
Unit 6, Spraoi agus Spórt, F93 EWV3
Workshop: An introduction to ChangeMaker’s Donegal Sustainability Passport
This 1hr interactive workshop will explore the relationship between science and society, what sustainability and global citizenship means and what positive actions we can take in our daily lives for a better and fairer world.
1pm-2pm
PRE-BOOK (limited spaces)
Unit 6, Spraoi agus Spórt, F93 EWV3
Saturday 16th November
GREENCASTLE
Navigating STEM: Inside the National Fisheries College Greencastle
Meet Principal Garvan Meehan for a guided tour of the National Fisheries College in Greencastle, Ireland. Explore state-of-the-art technologies, discover the latest advancements in navigation and satellite systems, and gain insight into the fascinating world of naval architecture.
11am - 12.30pm
Pre-Book (limited spaces)
National Fisheries College Ireland, F93 PX32
The STEM of Land, Sea and Sky
Presentations by Fergal Bradley, Sarah McCormack and Gary O’Donnell, followed by a Q&A session with the four experts in their field hosted by Spraoi agus Spórt.
Join Gary O’Donnell, Head of A321XLR aircraft at Airbus to understand what it takes to develop a new aircraft. Discover how a leading aircraft manufacturer upgrades its aircraft and industrial systems to achieve a more sustainable future.
This talk is led by Fergal Bradley, Educational Officer at Mountbellew Agricultural College. It delves into the evolution of agricultural practices in Inishowen, comparing traditional methods with modern advancements. Learn how these changes impact water quality, food production, and social sustainability. Engage in a discussion on how new farming techniques benefit the wider community.
Dr. Sarah McCormack, Head of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, will lead an insightful conversation on the latest breakthroughs in renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Hear about her innovative research and its potential to shape a greener future.
1.30pm - 4pm
Pre-Book (limited spaces)
National Fisheries College Ireland, F93 PX32
Sunday 17th November
CARNDONAGH
Habitats and Ecosystems – Sharagore Wetlands and Inch (Bus run)
Join local ecology expert Aengus Kennedy for a guided walk and talk tour exploring the ecosystems that support Inishowen’s winter birds. Starting with a brief talk in Carndonagh, the tour will visit Sharagore Wetlands (Desertegney) and conclude at Inch Island, offering a unique opportunity to observe local winter bird species in their natural habitats. Please bring binoculars if you have them. You will need good walking shoes as some of the tracks will be wet/muddy and warm clothes/rain gear. No dogs please.
12pm - 4pm
Pre-Book (limited spaces)
MEET AT UNIT 6, SPRAOI AGUS SPÓRT, F93 EWV3
Donegal based artist Laura McCafferty shares her research into the history of Donegal Cottage Tweed. This introduction will look at the connection to land through cloth. It is followed by a workshop activity where you will make your own landscape inspired collage from remnants of Donegal Tweed cloth. This workshop is suitable for all ages and abilities.
6pm - 8pm
Pre-Book (limited spaces)
SEWING ROOM, CARNDONAGH, F93 W7PD
Aengus Kennedy
Aengus Kennedy is NatureNorthWest’s lead guide and has worked in environmental education for the last 15 years, self-employed at NatureNorthWest for the last ten. He leads environmental education programmes, including contracts for An Taisce’s Green Schools, Leaving Cert courses, teacher training and presents a nature slot on Highland Radio.
Dr Ciarán Ó Catháin
Laura McCafferty
Laura has been an Associate Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, teaching Fine Art, Design, Culture and Context, and Decorative Arts. She moved to Donegal in 2020 to set up her studio and take up the position of Public Programmes Curator at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry-Londonderry.
Carlene Lyttle
Aine Kelly
Deirdre McGrory
Gary O’Donnell
Dr. Sarah McCormack
Professor and Head of Department in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin
Dr. Rosemarie Moulden
Archaeologist and Manager of the Inishowen Maritime Museum
Dr. Lyndsey McDougal
Garvan Meehan
Fergal Bradley
