Over 50 free events for adults, families, schools and children for Kilkenny Science Festival

Children are invited to learn about the historic significance of the 14th Century Red Book of Ossory, the science and technology used on its journey through time and will make their own books with the help of artist, Mary Conroy, as part of this year’s Kilkenny Science Festival.

The exciting event for children takes place at St Canice’s Cathedral and is just one of over 50 free events for children, schools, families and the wider community taking place in libraries, theatres, community halls, the National Reptile Zoo, Castlecomer Discovery Park, a museum, a gallery and an opticians.

This year’s theme is ‘Regeneration’ and events run daily and nightly from November 9 to 17.
All of the events are hosted and organised by Calmast at SETU with support from Research Ireland. While the events are free, places are limited and pre-booking is essential and open now open on stemkilkenny.ie.

As part of the ‘Information Technology: From Past to Present’ workshop for children at St Canice’s Cathedral, the group will look at the Red Book of Ossory exhibition and hear how information technology has changed over the centuries from pen and ink on vellum to letterpress on paper.

The Red Book of Ossory is a wonderful example of preserved local history, but also of science and technology, Nollaig Healy, STEM Public Engagement Co-ordinator, Calmast at SETU said.

“The children will make their own books, where they can keep their own collection of poems, stories, drawings and recipes, just like Bishop Ledrede did, at St Canice’s Cathedral some 700 years ago,” she said.

As part of this year’s extensive festival programme, families are invited to book their places for free tours of the National Reptile Zoo and to join Dr Ken Science on his carbon-busting comedy adventure about how to reduce, reuse and recycle and ultimately slim down our bins to save the planet.

Adults are also invited to book free places for a Biomaterials in Artistic Practice workshop with Eileen Hutton at Butler Gallery and to reserve their slot now for a whole series of events at the new Mayfair Library. Regeneration is also the theme for these events, which include a workshop on ‘Biodiversity and Waste’ and a host of free fashion workshops on t-shirt macrame, harvesting wool from unwanted jumpers, bunting making, darning, mending and other crafts.

Science and comedy collide at another key event in Cleere’s Pub and Theatre for a free standup comedy show featuring Sean Marshall (MC), and a host of guests. For more and for information on pre-booking, visit www.stemkilkenny.ie.
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