“Why?” is probably the best question to ask at the Let’s Talk Science Festival. At Ballymun’s Rediscovery Centre, children can ask their questions and adults can find new ones. Experiments, demonstrations and interactive stands bring together people from research, nature and technology with one shared aim: making science accessible. For families visiting Dublin, it is an outing where trying things out matters just as much as listening.
The Let’s Talk Science Festival is organised by the Rediscovery Centre, with the support of Research Ireland and Dublin City Council. It brings together activities focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, often grouped under the English acronym STEM.
The programme announced for 2026 combines interactive stands, hands-on experiments and demonstrations. This format allows visitors to explore several subjects as they go, rather than following a single talk. You can linger over a question, speak to a presenter, then move on to something entirely different.
The festival also places sustainability at the heart of its approach. Understanding a scientific phenomenon becomes a way of looking more closely at the objects, resources and environments around us. The venue itself extends this idea into its architecture.
The line-up for the 2026 edition includes Met Éireann, the Marine Institute, Our Kids Code, Circus Science, Bat Conservation Ireland, ATU Robotics and the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group. The Rediscovery Centre’s education team will also take part in the day.
These names give an idea of the range of contributors, without revealing the full details of every stand. A marine organisation, a robotics team and bat specialists do not approach science in the same way. That is precisely the appeal of this event: moving from one field to another and discovering a subject you might not otherwise have considered.
When accompanying a child, let them choose their first activity. Then ask what they noticed, what surprised them or what they would like to try differently. A hesitant answer can open up a more interesting conversation than rushing to tick off as many stands as possible.
The announced edition takes up the water theme of Science Week. It invites visitors to explore water’s place in our world, alongside other activities focused on technology and ecosystems. The festival is therefore not limited to a single discipline.
To prepare for your visit, start with a question your child is already asking: about rain, marine life or the resources we use. There is no need to find an answer before you come. Instead, note down the question and use the opportunity to meet the contributors to refine it. Discovery often begins when we can better articulate what we do not yet understand.
The festival takes place in The Boiler House, Ballymun’s former boiler house. The building once supplied heating to homes in the area. Its conversion turned it into an education space dedicated to reuse and the circular economy.
The Rediscovery Centre presents the building as a learning tool in its own right. The WISER LIFE project made it possible to preserve this industrial space and showcase solutions for reusing materials, low-impact construction and resource management. Before even reaching a stand, visitors step into a tangible example of the subjects explored here.
The official presentation of The Boiler House offers more on its history. Once there, take time to look at the building too: its large red-and-white chimney is a useful landmark for finding it in Ballymun. Any guided tour of the centre is a separate activity, so check with the team.
The event is presented as family-friendly, for visitors of a range of ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This does not mean that every activity is suitable for every age: let the presenters explain how their activity works and the conditions for taking part.
For French-speaking families, demonstrations and hands-on activities can make discovery easier, but they do not always replace an understanding of the explanations. No activities in French are announced in the programme consulted. Prepare children for this and choose activities where they can watch, try things out and ask questions with your help.
Do not necessarily try to do everything. One stand that holds a child’s attention for a long time may become the highlight of the day. If you have a specific accessibility or welcome requirement, contact the centre before travelling to check the arrangements for the day.
The Rediscovery Centre is in Ballymun, north Dublin. Use the venue name and its postcode to plan your journey from your accommodation. This is not an event in the historic city centre: allow time for the journey and work out your return route before planning the rest of your day.
Booking is recommended. Visit the official Let’s Talk Science Festival page for ticketing and the latest information. The centre states that you may arrive at any point during opening hours; however, check the details on your booking.
This festival is separate from the DCU-led North Dublin Science Festival, which offers events at several venues. To complement your stay, see our tips for visiting Dublin and choose an afternoon activity that fits around the time spent experimenting.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
The Rediscovery Centre, The Boiler House, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
