Ciara Egan Features in Unique Irish-Language Event at Pint of Science Ireland

The "Pint of Science" festival is an annual event where scientists present their research in local pubs, making science accessible to the public in a relaxed, engaging atmosphere. Running from May 13-15, 2024, the event featured over 132 speakers across 10 Irish cities, covering topics such as marine science, health, and technology.

Galway hosted six events over three days, with several GNC members participating as speakers or volunteers, including Daniela Costa, GNC’s postgraduate representative and regional chapter manager of the festival.

A highlight of this year's festival was Galway’s session, Oíche Ólaíochta, the first Irish-language session in Ireland’s Pint of Science festival. It explored bilingualism and other fascinating scientific themes, such as the relationship between schizophrenia and left-handedness, the mathematical connections in juggling and music, and innovations in cancer research.

Dr Ciara Egan, lecturer and GNC’s communicator officer, presented Eolaíocht na léitheoireachta (The Science of Reading in Two Languages), exploring how Welsh-English bilinguals read across both languages.

In another event “Health and illness: Gut speaking to the brain and the consequences of treatments”, Rebecca Lane, PhD student at Prof. David Finn’s research team, showcased the relationship between cannabinoids and microbes and how they “communicate” the feeling of pain.

Next year’s festival will run from 19th-21st May 2025.