The UCD Festival 2025 takes place Saturday, June 7th
- CultureHead Staff
- May 28
- 4 min read
Andrew Smyth, creator of the Netflix series ‘Baking the Impossible,’ and disability advocate Sinéad Burke are part of this year's line-up.
Get ready to be inspired at the UCD Festival 2025 as the university's Belfield campus welcomes thousands of visitors on Saturday, June 7.
This year’s event promises to be one of the largest family days out of the summer, with over 100 activities taking place. Visitors can expect a range of captivating talks, enlightening masterclasses, interactive science displays, as well as live music, a family funfair, and a host of delicious food options. All festival events are free and open to the public.
For the first time, this year's festival will feature an educational UCD Lyons Farm showcase featuring high-tech Farm Machinery and the latest advances in Agricultural Technology. There will be goats and chickens on campus, an opportunity to meet ewes and their newborn lambs while learning about modern flock management and the world of sheep farming.
Among this year’s programme highlights, aerospace engineer and baker Andrew Smyth, creator of the Netflix series ‘Baking the Impossible’, will host a demonstration with Dr Niamh Shaw about all things space, food, and baking.
The inspirational disability advocate Sinéad Burke will be in conversation with journalist and UCD alumna Roe McDermott about activism, inclusive design, and the power of representation.
This year’s festival Literary Curator is RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea, and among the literary highlights, there will be talks with authors Paul Perry, Jan Carson, Roisín O'Donnell, Claire Coughlan, and Karl Geary.
Elsewhere, in the programme, 65 past members of the UCD Orchestra are set to reunite for a special reunion performance on campus.
Speaking at the programme launch, UCD Festival organiser Sheila Morris encouraged visitors to come and be inspired:
“We are thrilled to invite everyone, both young and old, to the UCD Festival on Saturday, June 7, at our Belfield campus. Step into a world of discovery and inspiration at one of the world’s leading universities. Dive into groundbreaking research, unleash your creativity through artistic experiences, and connect with the brilliant minds of UCD’s students, researchers, and writers. It’s a completely free day out, designed to spark curiosity and ignite the passions of future scientists, engineers, and creatives. Everyone is welcome!”
Festival Zones
Visit the new Amgen Biotech Zone to learn about the techniques used by forensic scientists to solve crimes. Learn about the science behind medicine at Systems Biology Ireland, or get hands-on with chemistry, exploring its applications for society and technology.
The Medtronic Engineering & Technology Zone will be a wonderland for junior engineers and budding inventors, with mini robots, architectural workshops, and demonstrations of the latest technology used to tackle major health challenges.
The Intel Science and Innovation Zone will feature interactive exhibits designed to inspire curiosity, with virtual reality and 3D printing demonstrations, and even opportunities for future veterinarians to learn how to use a microscope and try their hand at milking a cow.
At the Discover Zone, attendees will have the opportunity to journey to the past and learn about archaeology at the UCD Classical Museum or hear from UCD researchers on sustainability at Greenacre, UCD’s new Sustainability Hub. There will be a keynote talk on sensory marketing by Dr Suhas Vijayakumar and the evolution of sports analytics by Dr Mark Connor.
The Culture Zone will feature the university's world-class arts and humanities offerings, as well as hosting a number of exciting poetry events. There will be Chinese cultural workshops, a craft café, and stilt walking scientists, as well as a talk with UCD writer in residence Annemarie Ní Churreáin.
Family Fun & Neurodiversity Activities
The Festival Family Fun Zone will feature entertainers, bands, musical performances, and workshops for everyone to enjoy. There will be performances from Japanese Taiko drummers, a festival train, yoga classes, and the festival carnival. At this year’s festival, there are designated sensory-friendly spaces and events designed for individuals with diverse neurological needs. The popular sensory bus will be available for those looking for some quiet time; there will be sensory-friendly storytelling and playtime activities, and even a silent disco.
The UCD Festival 2025 will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 12 PM until 6 PM. All events are free, but some may require advance booking.
Getting to the UCD Festival. Over 20 bus routes serve the Belfield campus, linking UCD to the city centre and suburban areas. The Belfield campus is served by the S2, S4, 145, 39a. The 155 and S6 routes also provide great connectivity from north and south-west Dublin. The 11 and 142 buses stop on the Clonskeagh side of campus and serve areas including Ranelagh and Rathmines. UCD is also located within walking distance of the Sydney Parade Dart Station.
For the full festival programme visit: https://festival.ucd.ie
Have you got a story to tell? CultureHead is one of Ireland's leading communications agencies dedicated to arts & entertainment.
For help telling your story request our Rate Card
