Science Week Ireland is an annual, week-long event held each November that celebrates science in everyday life. It is an initiative of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and is the largest science festival in the country, engaging tens of thousands of people in workshops, science shows, talks, laboratory demonstrations, science walks, and other science-related events. Science Week is a collaboration involving industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers, and students throughout Ireland. It supports Science Foundation Ireland’s mission to catalyse, inspire, and guide the best in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education and public engagement. The ultimate aim of this effort is for Ireland to have the most engaged and scientifically informed public by 2020, as outlined in Science Foundation Ireland’s strategy, Agenda 2020. This also aligns with the national science innovation strategy, Innovation 2020.

History: Over the years, Science Week Ireland has grown from a small pilot initiative to a large promotional and event engine and is now a recognised vehicle for regional activity supported by a national promotional campaign. In 1995, a National Science Week was organised by the Royal Dublin Society and a number of other organisations to inform the general public about science. The first Science Week organised by Forfás was held in 1996. It was run by Forfás on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation under the name 'Information Technology and Science Week.' The week aimed to raise general awareness of the benefits of science and information technology to people of all ages. Professional bodies, voluntary groups, colleges, businesses and the public sector combined to organise events countrywide, including conferences, lectures, interactive exhibitions, debates and competitions for primary school students.

In 1996 Forfás organised the first Information Technology and Science Week, which began on 25 November. In 1997 it was renamed Science Week and ran from 10 to 16 November; it was launched by Minister Noel Treacy in Galway. That year about 50 events were held nationwide, including answering scientific questions for schoolchildren and a Speakathon organised by the Irish Research Scientists' Association. Science Week 1998 ran from 1 to 8 November and featured talks in public libraries and another Speakathon.

SFI took over Science Week from the Forfás Discover Science and Engineering programme in 2012. Science Week has since continued to grow into a week-long celebration of STEM public engagement, enhancing public interest in STEM and helping people see its relevance to their daily lives. Forfás sought feedback on the running of Science Week and it was also externally evaluated. 2007 Science Week took place between 11–18 November 2007 and the theme was 'Surrounded by Science'. The programme illustrated that behind the everyday objects in our lives is a great inventor, scientist or engineer. Lectures featured Craig Johnston, inventor of the Adidas Predator; Joe F. Edwards Jr., former NASA astronaut; and Dr Sheila Willis, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory. 2007 was the eleventh year of Science Week and saw an estimated 95,000 people attend lectures, exhibitions and workshops throughout the country.

The 2008 Science Week took place between 11–16 November 2008. The theme was 'Science – Shaping Our World', celebrating the International Year of Planet Earth. Guest lecturers included Professor Aubrey Manning, distinguished zoologist and broadcaster; Gerry Johnston, director of Special Effects Ireland; Dr Cynthia Breazeal, Associate Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stephen Attenborough of Virgin Galactic; and Patrick Collison, Irish Young Scientist of the Year 2005. These talks can be viewed on YouTube.

Science Week 2009 took place between 8–15 November 2009. The theme was 'Science – Inspiring Creativity and Innovation', linking to the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. In the summer of 2009, DSE launched a Twitter account for the latest news on Science Week. A lecture series included speakers from the Tyndall National Institute, Cork, and Sustainable Energy Ireland; these can be viewed on YouTube.

Science Week 2010 ran from 7–14 November. Its theme was "Our Place in Space", which explored the latest happenings in astronomy, Ireland's role in the space industry, and the vital role played by science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in helping us make sense of our universe.

Science Week 2011 ran from 13–20 November. The theme was "The Chemistry of Life", demonstrating the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives, from the atoms that are the building blocks of nature to the chemistry that creates lasting bonds between people.

Science Week 2012 ran from 11–18 November. The theme was "Everyday Experimenting", highlighting how we are all involved in science every day, carrying out scientific processes and experimenting even when not aware of it.

Science Week 2013 ran from 10–17 November. The theme was "Exploring the XTRA-Ordinary", which called on the public to go behind the scenes of everyday life and explore the extraordinary processes taking place in front of our eyes.

In 2014 an estimated 250,000 people took part in science festivals, demonstrations, seminars and tours across the country during the 19th annual national Science Week, which took place from 9–16 November 2014. The theme was 'Power of Science.' Over 800 events took place across Ireland, including science festivals in Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Dublin, Cork, Waterford and the Midlands, aiming to "entertain, educate and enthral young and old alike with the power of science." Jamie Heaslip acted as a Science Week ambassador.

2015 marked the 20th anniversary of Science Week, which took place from 8–15 November. The theme was 'Science Week 2.0: Design Your Future.' It celebrated how science empowers people to 'Design Your Future.' Numerous events were held in every county, and regional festivals took place in Mayo, Sligo, Galway, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and the Midlands.

Science Week 2016 took place from 13–20 November. The theme was 'Science Rising,' which looked at how science is key to our success — part of our past, an important part of our present, and with endless potential still to be realised.