Space Week 2025 Lands at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick welcomed former NASA astronaut Dan Tani on Tuesday, October 7, as part of Space Week 2025. The visit highlighted Ireland’s growing role in science, exploration, and innovation during the nationwide celebration of space and STEM.
Dan Tani’s Morning with Local Students
On the MIC campus, Tani met with local primary school children for an engaging, interactive session that offered a rare glimpse into life on the International Space Station and the realities of living and working in space. The morning program provided aspiring scientists with hands-on insights into space research, teamwork, and problem-solving at the edge of human exploration.
Public Talk: Learning to Live in Space
The afternoon featured a public keynote, where Tani spoke on the theme “Living in Space.” He shared stories from two NASA missions, including more than 130 days in space, and discussed the interdisciplinary nature of space missions—from engineering and life sciences to law and policy. His message was clear: space is a field open to everyone, and Ireland has a bright future in this global endeavour.
Space Week Ireland: A National Roadshow
This year’s Space Week (4-10 October) is the country’s annual celebration of space, with hundreds of events across Ireland. The initiative is led by MTU’s Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO) in collaboration with researchers and educators nationwide. Dr Niall Smith, BCO founder and MTU Head of Research, coordinates a program that showcases Ireland’s talent and aspirations in space science.
How Dan Tani Sees Ireland’s Space Potential
During his MIC appearance, Tani underscored the importance of broadening participation in space. “Ireland is huge in Space Week—they have so many events and so much enthusiasm. My goal is to show people here that they can be involved in space,” he said. He emphasized the upcoming lunar missions and ambitious plans for Mars, noting that diverse skills—engineering, law, business, food science, and even fashion design—will be essential to a thriving space industry.
Local Impact and Community Response
MIC’s STEM Outreach Project Officer, Dr Eleanor Walsh, described the visit as a milestone for students and the wider community. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to connect real-world science with local learners,” she stated. The event also reinforced the idea that space exploration fosters curiosity, creativity, and a sense of global citizenship among participants of all ages.
About Space Week Ireland
Space Week Ireland is Ireland’s national celebration of space and STEM, organized in partnership with MTU, Research Ireland, and the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) Ireland. Tani’s MIC appearance was one of the final stops on a tour that also included Cork and Kerry, illustrating the nationwide scale and impact of this annual event.
What This Means for MIC and Irish STEM
Beyond the public speeches, the MIC visit serves as a catalyst for enhanced science education and community engagement. It reinforces MIC’s commitment to delivering inspiring STEM experiences and positions Ireland as a compelling hub for space research and talent development.
Quotes from the Day
“Ireland is rich in talent—there are opportunities for Irish people to contribute to space,” Tani remarked. His reflections on looking down from orbit conveyed a shared sense of responsibility for our planet and a reminder that collaboration is essential to future space exploration.
