Spacefest. Marina Market to host spectacular Cork show as Macnas debut in the city!

SpaceFest. Marina Market to host spectacular show!

As Macnas debut in Cork.

Includes a cocktail of Astronomy, Art and Alcohol in Blackrock Castle

A SpaceFest comes travelling. Pic: C. Noonan

Out-of-this-world festival blends art, science and space at venues across Cork City and County

A week-long celebration of art and science, SpaceFest begins this weekend on Saturday 8th November with a stellar line up of events, experiments, tours and workshops across Cork city and county including the Marina Market, Blackrock Castle Observatory, The Liberty, Greywood Arts, UCC and more. 

As part of Science Week and Spacefest, spectacle performers Macnas will make their Cork premiere at Marina Market on Sunday 9th November. A vibrant troupe of drummers, stilt walkers and giant puppets will tell a powerful story about biodiversity and the gradual disappearance of the corncrake across Ireland. Known for its distinctive and recognisable call, the corncrake’s decline serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect habitats and biodiversity. 

A Macnas moon installation inspired by the performance will remain at Marina Market as part of Lunar Distance, an exhibition featuring a galactic array of art and science which runs until 12th November. Visitors can learn what cows have to do with satellites, listen to voice notes from space and record their own message for the stars, and see a tiny sculpture that orbited Earth on board the International Space Station!

Beyond the Visible is an Evening of Astronomy, Art and Alcohol taking place at Blackrock Castle Observatory on Sunday, 9th November. Astrophysicist and mixologist Dr Alfredo Carpineti will dive into a colourful exploration of galactic phenomena, turning Venus into a disco ball, painting the audience in blacklight, and serving up Sagittarius B2 cocktails inspired by the taste of a nebula. Artist Helen O’Keefe will respond in real time, sketching visual interpretations and inviting the audience to join in with hands-on materials provided. 

Join a lively trio of queer artists and scientists on Wednesday, 12th November at Taking Up Space, a night of discussion, drag performance, Equality BINGO, and a Family Fortunes-style quiz using data gathered live from the audience. The evening blends performance, conversation, and playful participation to confront and celebrate queer commonalities and community in science and the arts. Held in the relaxed lounge at Cork County Cricket Club on Mardyke Walk in the city, the event will be MC’d by Drag Queen Jeanie Mac, diva by night and scientist with an MSc in Synthetic Chemistry by day. Dr Alfredo Carpineti, astrophysicist and founder of Pride in STEM, will lead the discussion alongside Maitiú Mac Cárthaigh, an artist and researcher from ‘the arse back of nowhere’ whose work explores rural queer existence in Ireland.

On 14th November from 8 until late, the starship crew at music collective Audio Research Corporation (ARC) will bring together DJs, producers, and visual artists for a cosmic mix of music, dance, cocktails, and the chance to Adopt-An-Alien for Space Twist at The Liberty Bar, Cork (FREE).

For these and several more diverse, fun-filled STEAM events for every age, see https://spacefest.net   Funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland and run by Greywood Arts, SpaceFest encourages more than 6,500 visitors each year to explore space through science, technology, engineering, art, and maths.