The South East Science Festival will return to Waterford, Carlow and Tipperary’s Suir Valley from 7 to 15 November 2026, offering free events that explore this year’s theme of ‘Water: From Molecule to Ocean’. The festival, coordinated by Calmast at South East Technological University (SETU), coincides with national Science Week and attracts audiences from primary school pupils to adult participants.
The festival will host dozens of events across museums, theatres, libraries, sports halls and heritage centres throughout the region, featuring scientists and STEM presenters from Ireland and international locations.
Key facts
- The festival runs for nine days from 7 to 15 November 2026 across three counties in Ireland’s south east
- All events are free and cover Waterford, Carlow and Tipperary’s Suir Valley region
- Award-winning filmmaker Dónal Ó Céilleachair will screen Camino Voyage, documenting a 2,500 km sea journey from Ireland to Northern Spain
- The festival is coordinated by Calmast at SETU with support from Research Ireland
- Returning presenters include Mark Langtry, Caroline Ainslie and Ken Farquhar
Programme Highlights and Featured Presenters
Award-winning environmental artist Sean Corcoran will host an event on a beach and in his coastal studio on Waterford’s Copper Coast. Morgan VanderKamer will present ‘Water into Wine’ at Union restaurant, examining how water used in production influences final flavour profiles. The screening of Camino Voyage features a crew including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason who built their own traditional boat for the Celtic odyssey.
SETU lecturers and researchers will present cutting-edge research taking place at the institution throughout the festival. The programme accommodates all age groups, from pre-school children to retirement groups, and involves collaboration with industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students across the three counties.
Focus on Water Research and Conservation
Dr Sheila Donegan, director of Calmast, emphasised the significance of this year’s theme. “Today, researchers across Ireland are deepening our understanding of water in all its forms, from its role in everyday life and the natural world, to its importance in biodiversity, climate resilience, conservation, health, food, energy and innovation,” she said.
The festival represents a partnership between Calmast, three local authorities, schools, clubs, associations, STEM employers and the Environmental Protection Agency. Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, noted that understanding water better can help inform choices about consumption and conservation of this vital resource for current and future generations.
Visitors can register and book free tickets through the festival website at www.calmast.ie. The comprehensive programme offers opportunities to engage with science, technology, engineering, mathematics and STEM subjects in an accessible and entertaining format across multiple venues throughout the region.
Reporting based on original coverage by Irish Tech News.