UCD Festival returns this month with 100+ virtual events

UCD Festival returns this May with over 100 free virtual events – including cultural conversations, masterclasses, workshops, demonstrations, and performances.

The annual event will be taking place online due to the Covid-19 pandemic but will feature leading alumni such as Neil Jordan, Shelly McNamara, Frank McDonald, and Madeleine Keane.

In a statement, the festival organisers said: “The three day festival will feature a variety of cultural and literary conversations, masterclasses, workshops, science demonstrations, performances, Irish language events and digital resources.

“These events reflect the four themes of UCD’s ‘Rising to the Future’ strategy; Creating a Sustainable Global Society, Transforming through Digital Technology, Building a Healthy World, and Empowering Humanity.

“Broadcaster, writer and UCD Festival literary curator Rick O’Shea will host a series of literary conversations featuring UCD’s Emilie Pine, Sophie White, Emma Dabiri, Paul McVeigh, UCD Writer in Residence Niamh Campbell and other guests.

“Festival conversations and demonstrations also feature UCD alums Derval O’Rourke, Jamie Heaslip, and musician JYellowL.

“TV chef, Catherine Fulvio will deliver an Al Fresco demonstration and Dr Mark Rowe will discuss self-care strategies.

“The magic of science, innovation and technology will be brought to the festival by RTE’s Phil Smyth, Scientific Sue, Coder Dojo, Biorbic and Intel.

“Performers at the festival include the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, poet Julie Morrissy, TG4’s Irial Ó Ceallaigh, MoLI, UCD Societies, the UCD Community Choir, the UCD Gamelan Orchestra and the UCD Ad Astra Musical Scholars.”

To find out more about the festival and to register for tickets, you can visit: https://festival.ucd.ie