Macnas and Research Ireland have teamed up to bring Alf, a 20m metre long giant Smooth Newt, to the streets of Dublin as part of Science Week.
He is currently at National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, but he is on the move. Join in the fun by cheering on Alf as he journeys through Dublin City Centre on Thursday, 14 November, accompanied by drummers, stilted beacons and fire performers from Macnas.
This year, Science Week will explore the theme of Regeneration so Alf is the perfect massiv mascot. He is the only member of the tailed amphibians found in Ireland. Uniquely, newts have the amazing ability to regenerate their body parts. They can regenerate parts of their tails, jaws, ears, hearts, spines, eyes and brains. A newt can even completely repair damage to its heart! Newts are small but mighty and are masters of regeneration.
Press play up top to see how the kids from Paradise Place ETNS got on when they went to visit Alf. We also hear from Research Ireland's Rebecca Wilson and John O'Reilly.
On Thursday, this spectacular parade will wind through the city, starting at 7.30pm from Capel Street, across the River Liffey via Grattan Bridge, through Parliament Street and onwards to Dublin Castle for 8.30pm.
Alf will be taking a well-earned rest at Dublin Castle after his journey across the city, and welcomes visitors at this historic location on 15 and 16 November from 10am to 9pm.
Science Week 2024 is harnessing the power of regeneration and calling on the public to celebrate our ability to reinvent, rejuvenate and regenerate.
Go to www.scienceweek.ie for all the events taking place and for more Science Week on RTÉ visit www.rte.ie/scienceweek.
Use #scienceweek to join the conversation online.
