Europe’s only circus science festival is back. Join us 13-15th November in Achill, Mulranny and Westport, County Mayo for three fantastic days of circus with a scientific twist.
Don’t miss a fun-filled weekend of performances, workshops, talks and exhibitions that explore science in imaginative, surprising and hopeful ways. This year’s lineup includes climate-clowning, shark sculpting, beekeeping, egg juggling and more…
This year, we’re delighted to welcome Artist in Residence, sculptor Tom Meskell and Scientist in Residence, neuroscientist Dr Robin Dale, who will support creative and scientific activity throughout the festival and beyond.
A high-energy mix of astounding circus, live music and storytelling, inspired by Ireland’s original Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley.
Performed by an all-female cast, this fun-filled show brings history wildly to life with acrobatics, contortion, hoop and music.
This is not a history lesson. It’s a riotous celebration of bravery, womanhood and unapologetic pirate energy, guaranteed to leave audiences cheering for more.
A lively, charming circus show about Patty Astley – 18th century founder of modern circus, famed for riding around the ring smothered in a swarm of bees. Discover the secret behind her astounding trick and meet our modern-day Patty – riding a unicycle instead of a horse! Can you help her save her hive? Free event – booking recommended.
A new version of the award-winning show. Climate-conscious cleaner Juanita has found a new solution to plastic pollution. Join her as she explores what’s in your recycling bin and finds a novel way to make sure it never fills up again! Developed with world leading scientists from Trinity College Dublin, this hilarious circus show culminates in a dramatic clown cookery demonstration and an incredible discovery for a plastic-free future.
Artist Tom Meskell, from Charlestown, Mayo, will be the Artist in Residence for Circus Science by the Sea Festival where he will create a giant 40 foot long life size shark lantern sculpture in a dramatic immersive setting of sound and light.
Now you can add to the magic of the Giant Shark and create your own shell lantern from willow and paper with Tom. Materials provided. Free event, booking recommended.
As part of Sligo Science Festival, our roaming stiltwalker scientists will be visiting Letterkenny campus for their very first Science Fair! They’ll stop and have a scientific chat with anyone who has high ambitions to learn more about science – and perhaps even offer a demonstration while they’re up there!
WARNING: this show contains a LOT of broken eggs!
Juggler Brendan is guaranteed to crack you up as he spins, throws and juggles eggs in an egg-citing circus show exploring the forces of Physics.
Do you know your Bladderwrack from your Dulse? Discover the wonders of seaweed in an algae-addled afternoon of film, cookery demonstrations, hands-on seaweed art and a Spot the Seaweed competition. There’s even a bit of Kelp clowning. Free event.
Our early years show Desert Bloom will be performed at Ashbourne Library as part of Full STEAM Ahead Science Festival, presented by Meath County Council Library Service. Using dance, storytelling and puppetry, this is the charming story of the lifecycle of a beautiful red flower that lives in the Atacama Desert in Chile, South America, and blossoms just once every ten years.