Pharos MarCoLab Ireland Mega Event, Living Lab in Kerry & Cork, 26–28 May 2026

• March 19, 2026

MarCoLab Ireland invites you to the second PHAROS Mega Event, an exciting three-day event from 26 to 28 May 2026 in South-West Ireland (Kerry and West Cork).

Join the Atlantic and Arctic Lighthouse community to promote marine restoration, ocean literacy, and the blue economy in Ireland.

We’ll gather from 26-28 May in Kerry and 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 demonstrations. Highlights include the MINKA Living Lab launch, “Waste to Worth” 3D printing, fisher-led initiatives, a Blue Schools webinar, a STEM building tour, an art exhibition, and a visit to Bantry Marine Research Station’s kelp farm.

MarCoLab 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.

Agenda

Tuesday, 26 May 2026
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 “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.

Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Day 2 opens with a marine art exhibition and Living Lab video launch, followed by a panel discussion on enhancing the Living Lab. Local schools share their conservation work and seek expert advice. After lunch, the PHAROS Futures networking event connects partners to maximise project impact.

In the afternoon, join an optional visit to Fenit’s native oyster beds, Europe’s last, by Greenway cycle or bus. The day ends with a social dinner and traditional Irish music session. A perfect blend of culture, community, and collaboration.

Thursday, 28 May 2026
The final day takes us to scenic Bantry Bay, County Cork, hosted at the Bantry Marine Research Station. Led by Dr Julie Maguire, we’ll tour the PHAROS demo site featuring an innovative kelp farm cultivating winged and sugar kelp. Learn how this nature-based solution monitors ecosystem restoration alongside a nearby salmon farm.

It’s a hands-on look at cutting-edge aquaculture research in one of Ireland’s most stunning coastal settings, a fitting close to three days of collaboration and discovery.

Workshops, Seminars & Exhibition

Waste to Worth
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
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.

Fisher Guardians
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
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.

Blue Schools Webinar
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
This interactive online session will connect classrooms across Ireland with the PHAROS project, engaging students and educators in marine restoration efforts. The Blue Schools webinar invites young learners 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. By fostering dialogue between researchers and schools, this initiative aims to inspire curiosity, build environmental awareness, and ensure that youth voices are heard in shaping the future of our marine ecosystems.

Living Lab Launch – MINKA
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
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.

Exhibition & Theatre Event
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
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.

Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre School Project
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
At the heart of community engagement, the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre 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.

Networking and Demonstrations

PHAROS Futures Networking
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
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. Through facilitated discussions and informal exchanges, participants will explore how collective expertise can drive meaningful impact, from marine restoration to circular economy solutions. The session aims to identify synergies, spark new collaborations, and ensure that each partner’s strengths contribute to PHAROS’s long-term success.

‘Pint of Science’ & Local Seafood Demo
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
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.

Innovative Nature-Based Solution for Ecosystem Restoration: Bantry Marine Research Station & PHAROS Demo Site – Cork
Thursday, 28 May 2026
The final day takes us to the picturesque Bantry Bay, home to the Bantry Marine Research Station and the PHAROS demo site. Guided by station director Dr Julie Maguire, attendees will explore a state-of-the-art seaweed and fish hatchery featuring innovative kelp cultivation of winged (Alaria esculenta) and sugar (Saccharina latissima) kelp.

This nature-based solution monitors ecosystem restoration by comparing kelp growth near a salmon farm to a control site. The tour offers first-hand insight into sustainable aquaculture, marine research, and the potential of seaweed farming to restore marine habitats, all within one of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal settings.

More information coming soon.