Midlands Science Festival explores science through film at Tullamore Library

Midlands Science Festival recently explored science through film at Tullamore Library.

Tullamore Library hosted an engaging screening of two science documentaries on Friday, November 14, including films 'A Tiny Spark' and 'Counter Attack'.

The films were produced through the Science on Screen public engagement programme, a collaboration between CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices and Ardán.

The screenings were followed by a lively discussion with students from Sacred Heart Secondary School, who had previously participated in media training with Apple Tart Productions. After watching the films, the students had the unique opportunity to engage in a conversation about the issues raised in the documentaries with Dr. Craig Slattery from University College Dublin (UCD).

'A Tiny Spark', an award-winning film directed by Niamh Heery, explores cerebrovascular research and stroke, highlighting the work of Dr. Karen Doyle, a neuroscientist at CÚRAM and the Galway Neuroscience Centre. The film uses a combination of first-person accounts and stunning animation to illustrate the functions of the brain and the potential for scientific breakthroughs to improve human lives.

The second film, 'Counter Attack', directed by Tiernan Williams, focuses on cardiovascular disease, following the journey of Kildare-based musician Frankie Lane who survived a heart attack and cardiac arrest. The documentary includes insights from Dr. Niamh Hynes, a vascular surgeon and researcher at CÚRAM, who is also featured in the film. Dr. Hynes spoke with students about the research efforts aimed at improving the understanding and treatment of heart disease.

“The Science on Screen documentaries have been a really powerful way to engage with our communities over the past ten years," said Prof Abhay Pandit, Founding Director of CÚRAM.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with the team at Midlands Science this year for Science Week, who do excellent work raising awareness and understanding of the impact of Irish research within the community."

In 2026, Midlands Science will be celebrating 25 years of providing free science outreach to the people in the midlands. It provides a range of free school and youth group activities all year round.

More details can be found on www.midlandscience.ie More information on Curam can be found on https://curamdevices.ie/ and on Ardan on https://ardan.ie/