The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme will embark on a nationwide tour for Science Week 2026, joining forces with the 29th Galway Science and Technology Festival and regional festivals across the country to celebrate all things water.
For two decades, the Explorers programme has brought marine science to life and sparked a passion for ocean literacy across Ireland.
“With this year’s Science Week theme celebrating water, it is the perfect time to showcase the ocean’s wonder,” Dr Noírín Burke of the Explorers programme said. “We are proud to celebrate 20 years of marine education by bringing the ocean into classrooms and communities nationwide through our event series, ‘What Water Means to Us: Micro plankton to Mega marine fauna!’”
Ireland’s vast marine territory is one of the largest in the EU, with our seabed accounting for ten times our land mass. “This makes Ireland a true blue country, where our incredible ocean and seas are home to fascinating species, from microscopic phytoplankton, visiting leatherback sea turtles to glowing deep-sea fish, gigantic basking sharks and mega blue whales,” said Patricia Orme, director of corporate services at the Marine Institute.
Cushla Dromgool-Regan of the Explorers programme added: “Each year, marine scientists at the Marine Institute collect vital information about marine species from the deepest ocean trenches right to our shores, tracking changes and revealing how the ocean shapes our daily lives. Scientists also monitor our climate using cutting-edge marine tech and research our deep connection with the marine environment.
“The Marine Institute has spearheaded and supported groundbreaking discoveries across Ireland — from mapping the ocean floor to discovering deep-sea cold-water corals, protecting vulnerable species, and discovering hydrothermal vents in the mid-Atlantic. Inspired by these discoveries, research and development, our Explorers team loves getting everyone excited to become active participants in caring for and sharing the ocean around us.
“We are going to be in seven counties with the Explorers team at science events throughout November from Dublin, Cavan, Galway, Leitrim and Roscommon to Louth, Donegal and Wexford with marine exhibits and workshops that will focus on the Real Map of Ireland — showcasing our marine territory, the biodiversity around our shores, the creatures of the deep sea, and what's in a drop of water.
“We will also be celebrating 20 years of the Explorers Education Programme where visitors and schools can take part in an Explorers Water Workshop and also share with us ‘What Water means to You!’“
Galway will host the flagship event of the nationwide tour this Sunday 8 November during the Galway Science & Technology Festival on the University of Galway campus from 10am to 5pm.
Elsewhere, you can catch the Explorers team making waves at six interactive events across Ireland this November:
- 7 Nov: Let’s Talk Science — Ballymun Rediscovery Centre, Dublin
- 7 Nov: Cavan/Monaghan Science Festival — Mullagh, Co Cavan
- 12 Nov: Finn Valley Science Festival — Ballybofey / Stranorlar, Co Donegal
- 14 Nov: Louth Science Festival — Family Workshops with Dunleer Library, and School Workshops with Drogheda & Dundalk Libraries, Co Louth
- 14 Nov: Leitrim & Roscommon Science Festival — Carrick-on-Shannon
- 15 Nov: Southeast Science Festival — Wexford
The Marine Institute has also partnered with Research Ireland to showcase marine science through real-world stories from its researchers, which you can follow on the institute’s social media channels on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook throughout Science Week 2026.
Whether you're curious about microscopic ocean plankton or deep-sea giants, teachers, families and budding young scientists are invited to join the fun, explore hands-on exhibits and celebrate 20 years of ocean discovery this November!
