Fun for all at UCD Festival

THE UCD Festival is back on June 10 for a great free public event that celebrates the thinkers, educators, innovators and fun makers.

Following the hugely successful UCD Festival last year, this year’s programme definitely lives up to the standard set. Open to all, it is a day when festival attendees can enjoy first-hand the excellent facilities on the Belfield campus, while meeting with academics and students and exploring all that UCD has to offer.

The packed programme of free events includes thought-provoking talks, interactive exhibitions with UCD scientists and researchers, creative workshops, live performances, family fun, campus tours and an international food fair. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

Start the day off with ‘Rise and Rave’ and enjoy Morning Gloryville at the UCD Festival – the immersive morning dance experience allows everyone young and old to try clubbing in a conscious way. Then join in for events running all day, from 9am through to 5pm. 

 ‘Cyber Safe: Bullying, Crime and Privacy Online’ will discuss how we can all keep up to date with the cyber world, an increasing challenge in a fast-paced digital environment.

Dr TJ McIntyre of the UCD Sutherland School of Law and civil liberties group Digital Rights Ireland, will chair a panel of experts in the field of cyber security, cyber psychology and cybercrime.

Come along and ask your questions of the experts on how you can keep cyber safe in today’s world.

The UCD Festival has a full programme that explores Arts and Culture in Ireland today.

Members of the Cusack family join Prof Frank McGuinness in conversation as he showcases  and celebrates their immense contribution to the arts and culture in Ireland and beyond.

This is a family who have excelled on the screen, big and small, as well as on stage and is sure to be a fantastic event. 

Enjoy a number of interactive Chinese Culture Workshops throughout the day, including tea-making, calligraphy, and traditional music, as well as Chinese Lion & Unicorn Performances.

The Lion dance is a traditional Chinese dance performed on big occasions and during celebrations for good luck. Lion dances are performed by two dancers in a lion costume, accompanied by the music of beating drums.

Check out the UCD Festival Mind and Body programme at the Wellbeing Zone, where there will be a range of interactive activities taking place for children and adults to enjoy throughout the day.

Visit the Geodome to explore the many different aspects of wellbeing in the various zones. Try Yoga, Tai Chi, mindful activities for adults and kids. 

One of the highlights will be a lecture by astronaut Dr Niamh Shaw who will share her adventures as a member of Crew 173 on the Mars Analog Mission simulation project in the Utah desert with The Mars Society. Join Niamh for Mission to Mars as she shares the highs and lows of Crew 173 and her thoughts on what it will take to become the first Irish woman in space.

A full programme is available online at www.ucd.ie/festival