To celebrate the launch of Ireland's first Space Week a photo exhibition is running at Cork Airport throughout September before touring at events nationwide during Space Week this October.

The exhibition, titled ‘Ireland in Space’, showcases stunning imagery from Ireland’s skies and from space, with submissions by Irish research groups and observatories as well as amateur astro-photographers.

"Cork Airport is pleased and proud to host this innovative exhibition which will provide a unique insight into our island nation from space. We have had some very interesting photographic exhibitions of Cork from above in the recent past, but this one is simply out of this world,” said Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport’s Managing Director.

CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory in association with Science Foundation Ireland and ESERO Ireland are launching Ireland’s first Space Week that will run from October 3-8.

Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Strategy and Communications, Science Foundation Ireland commented that, “This exhibit at Cork Airport is a great opportunity, in advance of Ireland’s first national Space Week, to showcase the tremendous impact Irish astronomers and space scientists have had, and continue to have, on the world and our economy. Science Foundation Ireland is delighted to support Space Week this October 3-8 and would encourage everyone travelling through the airport to take the time to view this engaging exhibition.”

“This exhibit was inspired by our ancient Irish astronomy sites, by our scientific prowess as inventors and innovators and by our Dark Sky heritage. The inclusion of satellite images taken from above offers a unique perspective on Ireland’s rich astronomy culture. A well-informed and science literate society has intrinsic educational, economic and democratic benefits for us all. Our mission at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory is to ‘educate, enthuse and engage schools and the wider public in STEM using space as the catalyst for the interaction’. We are delighted to bring this exhibit to Cork Airport with the support of Science Foundation Ireland,” said Clair McSweeney, Blackrock Castle Observatory’s Manager.

Space Week runs across Ireland from October 3-8, 2016; and is Ireland’s newest national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) week. People will explore how as citizens ‘Under One Sky’ the power of critical thinking, creativity, science and technology can shape our understanding of life on Earth and our place in the broader Universe.