Space Week Ireland Returns with Former NASA Astronaut Dan Tani on Cork Road Trip

Ireland's annual celebration of space science blasts off this weekend with a stellar programme of events, including a special visit from former NASA astronaut Dan Tani who will tour Cork, Kerry and Limerick as part of Space Week Ireland 2025.

Space Week Ireland returns from 4 to 10 October with the theme "Living in Space", inviting students, families and the wider community to explore how life on Earth can inform life beyond it. Coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, the week-long celebration features everything from astronaut talks to stargazing nights, with many events free to attend.

The programme launches with a Space Week Road Trip bringing astronauts and science communicators directly into communities across Munster. Dan Tani will be joined by Dr Niall Smith, Head of Research at MTU and Head of Blackrock Castle Observatory, for public and school engagements from Saturday 4 to Tuesday 7 October.

Cork families can kick off the celebrations on Saturday 4 October with a Space Week Festival at the Cork School of Music from 10:00 to 13:00. Audiences will hear first-hand accounts of life in orbit from Dan Tani, learn about the hazards of space living with Dr Lisa McNamee, and explore the impact of high-energy particles on human health with Dr Josh Reynolds. Interactive displays and hands-on workshops will bring space science to life for children and families.

The Road Trip continues to Tralee Library, Co Kerry on Monday 6 October for a primary school session from 10:00 to 13:30, before heading to the University of Limerick that evening at 19:00 for a public event hosted with the UL Rocketry Society. On Tuesday 7 October, the team visits Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, with primary school sessions followed by a public talk on living in space from 13:10 to 13:55.

Further Space Week events will run nationwide throughout the week, including an ESERO Ireland Space Careers Roadshow at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, a NASA Space Apps event in Athlone, Space Week activities at Galway Atlantaquaria, and an evening programme at Maynooth University. The full programme is available at spaceweek.ie/events.

Dan Tani, former NASA astronaut, said:

"Living and working in space is one of the most extraordinary experiences a human being can have. You see Earth from orbit and realise how fragile and beautiful it really is. Being involved with the Space Week Ireland Road Trip gives me the chance to share that perspective, not just the adventure of floating in zero gravity, but the ingenuity, teamwork, and resilience it takes to thrive in such an extreme environment. I hope it inspires students here in Ireland to see themselves as part of humanity's journey to the stars."

Dr Niall Smith commented:

"The challenge of living in space is moving from short-term habitability of a small number of people in space stations to longer term colonisation of villages of people on the Moon and ultimately Mars and perhaps beyond. There are enormous challenges in meeting this vision to become a multi-planet species, but equally there are enormous opportunities. Rarely has human living in space been more exciting."

Those unable to attend in person can follow the Space Week Ireland Road Trip virtually via the BCO YouTube channel, with livestreams from each location. Space Week TV, a growing library of short videos on space science, is also available at spaceweek.ie/tv.

Space Week Ireland also celebrates the nation's rich legacy in astronomy and astrophysics. Dublin mathematician William Rowan Hamilton's pioneering quaternions helped solve spacecraft rotation challenges long before the Apollo era, while Ernest Walton of Dungarvan became the first to split the atom. Their spirit of curiosity lives on in today's Irish researchers and space-industry innovators.

Schools, clubs, organisations and community groups can register their own Space Week activities, large or small, at spaceweek.ie/add. Early registrations benefit from promotional support and automatic entry into a draw for Space Week prizes.

For year-round exhibitions, talks and skywatching, Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork offers hands-on space science experiences and insights into Ireland's contribution to space exploration.