What is the Ireland Mega Event?
MarCoLab Ireland invite you to the second PHAROS Mega Event, an exciting 3-day event from the 26th to 28st of May, 2026 in South-West Ireland (Kerry & West Cork)
Join the Atlantic and Arctic Lighthouse community to promote marine restoration, ocean literacy, and the blue economy in the Ireland.
There are lots of ways to get involved, and there will be something for everyone!
Event organised & managed by Munster Technological University Kerry & Bantry Marine Research Station.
Check the agenda below and register for the events that sound exciting to you.
Ireland Living Lab Event
Let’s collaborate for a healthier ocean!
Join us 26th–28th May in Kerry & Cork for the Mega Event Ireland, uniting government, researchers, innovators, educators, businesses, investors, and local communities to launch two Living Labs. Together, we’ll tackle marine restoration challenges through citizen engagement, school programmes, and innovative demos. Highlights include the MINKA Living Lab launch, “Waste to Worth” 3D printing, fisher-led initiatives, Blue Schools webinar, STEM building tour, art exhibition, and a visit to Bantry Marine Research Station’s kelp farm.
Mar-Co-Lab Ireland is a blue economy innovation space whose name sums up its mission: Mar as the ocean, Co as collaboration, cooperation and co-creation, and Lab as a living lab; the word Marco within its name explicitly refers to a framework, a shared structure where, through the quadruple helix, innovation and awareness around nature-based solutions are fostered to balance the economy and environmental protection.
THREE-DAY PROGRAMME
The first day kicks off at MTU Kerry’s new STEM Building with registration, the Opening Ceremony, and a PHAROS project overview. Key sessions include a Policy Round Table on effective MPA management, followed by “Waste to Worth” showcasing 3D printing from marine waste, and “Fisher Guardians” on transforming fishing gear.
After a tour of the €20 million facility, we transfer to Maharees to launch the MINKA Living Lab with local conservation volunteers. The day concludes with ‘Pint of Science’ and a Local Seafood Demo, where marine science meets culinary delight.
Day 2 begins with two concurrent sessions: Blue Schools: Local School Project Showcase and PHAROS FUTURES – BLUE SKILLS, focusing on ocean preservation and blue economy opportunities.
After lunch, we transfer to Fenit for the Fisher Guardians Workshop, where participants meet local fishers and explore the Tralee Native Oyster Beds (Europe’s last remaining native oyster beds) while discussing ocean preservation.
The day concludes with a social dinner for PHAROS partners at Tankard Fenit, a perfect setting for informal networking and collaboration.
The final day begins with a 09:00 bus departure from Tralee to scenic Bantry Bay, County Cork. Hosted at the Bantry Marine Research Station, we are welcomed by Dr Julie Maguire for a tour of the PHAROS demo site, which includes an innovative kelp farm cultivating winged and sugar kelp, alongside a seaweed and fish hatchery. Learn how this nature-based solution supports ecosystem restoration in proximity to a nearby salmon farm.
After the tour, we enjoy lunch in Bantry on market day, taking in the vibrant local atmosphere. This hands-on experience of aquaculture research, set in one of Ireland’s most stunning coastal locations, offers a fitting close to three days of collaboration and discovery.
WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, EXHIBITION
MPA Policy
- Effective MPA management: policy, protection, and public good with guest speaker Oliver O’Cadhla from the Department of Climate, Energy & Environment (MPA LIFE EU HORIZON PROJECT)
- Science based tools for MPA management with guest speaker Tasman Crowe of University of Dublin (BLUE4ALL EU HORIZON PROJECT)
- Effective engagement of stakeholders for MPA planning with guest speaker Oisín Callery from University of Galway (BIOPROTECT EU HORIZON PROJECT)
- Showcase of the ‘MPA Solutions Hub’ with guest speaker Bob Rumes Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
- Presentations will be followed with panel discussion and Q&A
Venue: MTU Kerry Campus, Tralee Co. Kerry V92 HD4V)
Waste to Worth
Tuesday 26.05.2026 (14:00 to 15:30): This innovative session showcases the collaboration between PHAROS and the INSPIRED Blue Hub, demonstrating how marine waste (such as fishing nets and ropes) can be transformed into functional utensils through 3D printing. The initiative brings together adults with additional needs, school students, and MTU’s engineering department, fostering inclusivity while advancing circular economy solutions.
- Clean Technology Centre – MTU
- Clean Oceans Initiative – BIM
- WAZP 3d on-demand printing with INSPIRED Charity
- Gravity Wave best practice marine waste solutions from Gran Canaria
- “Plastic Fantastic Hackathon” showcase of innovation – IHA
Living Lab Launch – MINKA
Tuesday 26.05.2026 (17:00 – 19:00): The centrepiece of our community-driven efforts, the MINKA Living Lab launches in the ecologically fragile Maharees coastal region. This initiative places citizens at the heart of marine restoration, bringing together local volunteers, schools, and researchers to address pressing challenges including sand dune protection, biodiversity preservation, marine plastics, and human-induced degradation. By fostering hands-on participation and intergenerational learning, the Living Lab empowers the community to co-create solutions and monitor environmental change.
An Irish Living Lab experience in Maherees: Highlighting citizen engagement, biodiversity protection, and marine coastal innovation. Meet with Maherees Conservation stakeholders and launch of MINKA citizen engagement platform.
Venue: Maherees Beach
Pint of Science’ & Local Seafood
Tuesday, 26.05.2026 (19:00 – 21:00): The first day concludes on a deliciously engaging note as marine science meets culinary creativity. Set in a relaxed atmosphere, the ‘Pint of Science’ session offers informal conversations with researchers over a refreshing drink, making complex marine topics accessible and fun. Alongside, a Local Seafood Demo showcases the best of Ireland’s coastal harvest, prepared fresh for attendees to sample. This unique pairing of science and seafood creates the perfect setting for networking, storytelling, and lively discussion.
Venue: Spillanes Bar & Restaurant, (Fahamore, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, V92 PX93)
EU Blue Schools Workshop
Wednesday 27.05.2026 (09:30 – 12:00): Workshop for educators and access to EU Blue Schools. This interactive online session will connect classrooms across Ireland with the PHAROS project, engaging students and educators in marine restoration efforts. The Blue Schools workshop invites young learners (specifically for teachers and educators for BLUE SCHOOLS) to explore ocean literacy, biodiversity preservation, and sustainability through live discussions with PHAROS experts. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and contribute fresh perspectives from the next generation of ocean stewards.
Venue: MTU Kerry Campus, Tralee V92 HD4V
Blue Skills & Blue Innovation
Wednesday 27.05.2026 (09:30 – 12:00): This dedicated networking event brings together the full spectrum of PHAROS partners, researchers, innovators, industry leaders, educators, and community representatives, to shape the future of the project in Ireland, focused on building capacity for the blue economy in Ireland across themes:
- BLUE INNOVATE – Innovation requisites for skills & talent development to transform Irelands ocean economy, blue tech and blue biotechnology
- BLUE FUTURES – Blue Skills & Careers sessions exploring future opportunities across education levels and within Irish coastal communities
- BLUE TOURISM – Enhancement, economics & preservation of the unique tourism product
Venue: MTU Kerry Campus, Tralee V92 HD4V
Fisher Guardians
Wednesday 27.05.2026 (14:00 – 16:00): The Fisher Guardians programme empowers fishers to actively participate in ocean protection, while the BIM Clean Oceans Initiative focuses on transforming end-of-life fishing gear into valuable secondary materials. Supported by MTU’s Clean Technology Centre, the presentation will showcase Irish companies and initiatives leading the way in circular economy solutions for the fishing industry. Attendees will gain insights into how discarded nets and gear can be recovered, recycled, and reintegrated into supply chains, turning waste into opportunity while safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations.
Venue: FENIT PIER V92 YE14
Exhibition & Theatre Event
Wednesday 27.05.2026 (All day): This is a captivating marine art installation that blends creativity with ocean advocacy, setting the stage for deep reflection on our relationship with the sea, followed by the official launch of the Living Lab video, documenting community engagement and restoration efforts in Maharees and Tralee Bay. A dynamic panel discussion then brings together artists, scientists, and community leaders to explore how the Living Lab can evolve throughout the PHAROS project. Together, they consider ways to deepen citizen participation, amplify local voices, and integrate artistic perspectives into marine restoration.
Blue Schools Citizen Engagement Project
Wednesday 27.05.2026 (All day): At the heart of community engagement, MTU hosts an inspiring showcase of local school projects focused on marine conservation. Young students present their hands-on work exploring biodiversity, sand dune protection, and the impact of marine plastics, offering fresh perspectives on the challenges facing Tralee Bay. This intergenerational exchange allows attending PHAROS experts and guests to hear directly from the community’s youngest citizens, ask questions, and provide guidance.
Register here for all sessions
Innovative nature-based solution for ecosystem restoration
Bantry Marine Research Station & PHAROS Demo Site – Cork
Demonstration & Impact for Ireland’s Marine Ecosystems
This demo consists of a kelp farm cultivating winged (Alaria esculenta) and sugar (Saccharina lattisima) kelp. In this demo the effect of a salmon farm, located near the seaweed farm, on the growth of the kelp will be monitored and compared to a control side.
IRELAND LIVING LAB THREE-DAY PROGRAMME
Day 1
Day 2
| Time | Programme Item |
|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Arrival & Morning Coffee |
| 09:30 – 12:00 | Blue Schools: Local School Project Showcase |
| 09:30 – 12:00 | PHAROS FUTURES – BLUE SKILLS: Ocean Preservation & Blue Economy Opportunities |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch and Bus to Fenit |
| 14:00 – 16:00 | Fisher Guardians Workshop: Meet Local Fishers – Tralee Native Oyster Beds – Ocean Preservation |
| 16:00 – 19:00 | Free time |
| 19:00 onwards | Social Dinner (Pharos Partners) – Tankard Fenit |
Day 3
| Time | Programme Item |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Bus to Bantry Departs Tralee |
| 11:30 – 13:00 | Bantry Marine Research Station – Pharos Demo Site – Cork – Seaweed and Fish Hatchery Tour, Dr. Julie Maguire |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Lunch – Market Day Bantry |
About the Organiser: PHAROS Project Consortium
The PHAROS Consortium consists of 24 scientific and research institutions from Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Ukraine, and Norway, all active at the European level, covering the spectrum of marine ecosystem restoration, ocean pollution prevention, and sustainable blue economy initiatives.
Event organised & managed by
PHAROS is an EU-funded project, led by the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN), and implemented by a consortium of 24 organizations from September 2024 to August 2029, which aims to provide nature-based solutions for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity while tackling climate change and human impacts in the Atlantic and Arctic maritime regions. These goals align with the European Union’s ambitious Ocean Mission objectives.
Funded by nearly 9.5 million euros in European funds, the PHAROS project aligns with the European Union’s Ocean Mission. This mission focuses on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and biodiversity, eliminating pollution, and achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy by 2030.