Science Week 2026 explores water at every scale – an essential building block of life on Earth and a powerful force that has shaped our planet, our lives and our future. From rainfall, rivers and lakes to peatlands, wetlands and more than 7,500 km of coastline, our island has been shaped by water for thousands of years. It has guided early settlers, enabled trade and travel, sustained communities and inspired enduring myths, from the Salmon of Knowledge to the Children of Lir. Today, researchers across Ireland are deepening our understanding of water in all its forms – from its role in