In Galway, all you have to do is follow the Corrib to see the scenery around the water change: the river runs alongside the university before reaching the bay. In November 2026, the Galway Science & Technology Festival follows the same path of water, but on a different scale. From a molecule to ocean currents, this year’s edition invites visitors to understand what connects a laboratory experiment with a landscape explored on foot.
The festival runs from 8 to 20 November 2026. Its theme, Water: From Molecule to Ocean, links the water we encounter every day with the environments that depend on it. The activities offered to schools range from water-quality analysis and microplastics to flooding and sensors. The exhibition day also gives pupils presenting a project the chance to explain what they tested and how they went about it.
On Sunday 8 November, the University of Galway hosts the main public open day. Interactive stands can be visited alongside the workshops and shows. The programme goes beyond the theme of water: the organiser also announces activities involving rockets, astronomy and medical technologies. For a family outing, choose a workshop that genuinely interests the children, then leave time for the stands: that is often where they can linger over a question or repeat an experiment.
The festival also offers a field workshop focusing on invasive plants in Terryland Forest Park. The meeting point is An Nead, at the Sandy Road entrance. This is different from the demonstrations on campus: visitors observe a living urban environment and learn why certain plants are monitored there. Check the arrangements for taking part on the official events page.
Tickets for the campus workshops and shows are free. The organiser says that some places are held back for visitors without tickets, but admission is not guaranteed. Consult the day’s programme to find the building and recommended age, then the practical guide for information about queues and transport. If you are coming from central Galway, the University Road stop is a useful landmark for reaching Bailey Allen Hall.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
University Road, Galway, County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
