Robots, VR and Jedi Knights: The Sligo Engineering Fair Is Back!

If you’re looking for something genuinely brilliant to do with the kids, this one deserves a big circle on the calendar.
Pictured above is: Gemma Lavin – Engineering Trainee (Abbott), Catherine Kennedy, Operations Manager, Faculty of Engineering & Computing (ATU), James Brady – Technical Engineering Manager (Abbott) and Prof Graham Heaslip, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Computing (ATU) at the launch of Sligo Engineering Fair. 

The Sligo Engineering Fair is back at Atlantic Technological University Sligo on Sunday, 1 March 2026, and it’s shaping up to be the biggest and best yet. Now in its seventh year, the fair has firmly earned its place as one of the North-West’s most popular family-friendly events – and for good reason.

Running from 12pm to 4pm, the campus will once again be buzzing with families, school groups and curious minds of all ages, all coming together to explore engineering, science and technology in ways that are fun, hands-on and genuinely accessible.

The event is organised by ATU alongside Engineers Ireland North-West and long-time industry partner Abbott, with an expanded programme of demos, workshops and interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity rather than overwhelm.

There are also some playful new additions this year – including roaming characters inspired by Star Wars. Expect Stormtroopers, a Jedi Knight and an R2-D2-style droid wandering the campus, much to the delight of younger visitors (and more than a few grown-ups).

Fan-favourite talking robot Alex will be making a return appearance, and a newly created virtual reality zone will give families the chance to step inside VR pods and experience immersive simulations linked to engineering and digital design.

Younger visitors will also love the live shows by Jay Ryan from RTÉ Junior, taking place in the campus library at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 3.00pm. His sessions promise plenty of laughs and “wow” moments, using everyday materials to explore balance, strength, reflexes and air pressure – all perfectly pitched for curious young minds.

Elsewhere across the campus, there’s plenty to dip in and out of, including:

• Brickz4Kids workshops
• Robothink robotics sessions
• Games development workshops with Neil Gannon
• An Engineering Discovery Zone packed with family-friendly challenges
• Tool-making demonstrations from ATU’s School of Engineering
• Exhibition spaces featuring the Civil Defence, the RNLI Lifeboats, An Garda Síochána, the PEM Centre, Engineers Ireland North-West and ATU researchers

The main concourse will be alive with free-play engineering games, robotics demos (including Sparky the robot dog) and project displays created by local schools and university departments.

Speaking ahead of the event, Niall Plunkett, Site Director of Abbott Diagnostics in Sligo, highlighted the importance of inspiring the next generation of innovators, particularly as Abbott marks 80 years in Ireland.

ATU’s Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design, Prof Graham Heaslip, echoed that sentiment, describing the fair as a celebration of creativity, curiosity and community – and a chance for young people to see how engineers help shape a better future through problem-solving and imagination.

Best of all? Admission is completely free, with hot food available from the ATU canteen throughout the afternoon and free on-site parking for visitors.

If you want a day out that’s educational, entertaining and genuinely engaging, the Sligo Engineering Fair is well worth a visit. Find out more information on the brochure below: