BioProtect at PHAROS Mega Event Ireland: Three Days, Two Coastlines, One Mission
The countdown is on! From 26–28 May 2026, BioProtect will take part in the PHAROS Mega Event Ireland, a hands-on celebration of marine innovation and restoration held across Kerry and Cork.
Organised by PHAROS project Irish partners Bantry Marine Research Station and Munster Technological University, with support from ICORSA, the event will unite researchers, policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and local communities across two stunning coastlines.
This unique three-day programme will come together to launch two new Living Labs that bring science and stakeholder engagement work directly to the field.
What’s Happening
Tuesday, 26 May – MTU Kerry & Maharees
Policy meets practice with a round table on Marine Protected Area management, a lively “Waste to Worth” session converting marine plastic into 3D-printed products, and the official launch of the MINKA Living Lab with local conservation volunteers. The evening rounds off with Pint of Science and a local seafood demonstration (because marine science tastes best close to the sea)!
Wednesday, 27 May – Fenit & Tralee
Young minds take the stage through Blue Schools student showcases, followed by a Blue Skills & Innovation session exploring opportunities for sustainable ocean economies. In Fenit, participants will meet local fishers, discover Europe’s last native oyster beds, and experience the Fisher Guardians programme first-hand.
Thursday, 28 May – Bantry Bay, Cork
The event concludes at the PHAROS demo site at Bantry Marine Research Station. Participants will tour a working kelp farm, seaweed and fish hatcheries, and witness nature-based solutions in action: evidence of how innovation can restore biodiversity and coastal resilience, hosted by Dr Julie Maguire.
Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, entrepreneur, educator, or ocean enthusiast, PHAROS & BioProtect invite you to join us in shaping the future of European marine restoration.
👉 Register now: https://pharosproject.eu/ireland-megaevent/
