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Minister Bruton at the launch today with Laura Pietrzak, 6, and Patrick Kane, 7, students from Gardiner St Primary School

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton today launched Dublin City of Science together with the Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague and Dara Ó’Briain.

Minister Bruton said:

As a country we have a long history of scientific achievement, and in the past decade we have built upon that heritage with dramatic improvements in publicly-funded scientific research. As we seek to grow our way out of our difficulties these strengths are key assets, and in the Action Plan for Jobs the Government will be implementing a series of changes to ensure that this research is properly commercialised so that we can turn good ideas into good jobs.

The main event for 2012 is ESOF 2012 which takes place in the Convention Centre Dublin in July. Dublin won the right to host this event in a competitive bid process back in 2008. ESOF 2012 is the largest general science meeting in Europe and is held in a different European city every two years.

Speaking at the Launch Professor Patrick Cunningham, Chief Scientific Adviser spoke about the highlights that ESOF has to offer.

We have the world’s top scientists confirmed for the ESOF event in July. Notable keynotes include Craig Venter, Jean-Jacques Dordain of ESA, Marcus du Sautoy, Bob Geldof Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn, freshly minted Nobel prize winner Jules Hoffmann and Rolf Dieter Heuer of CERN. Our very own Dara Ó’Briain will be significantly involved in a variety of ways at ESOF.

Prof. Cunningham continued:

2012 is the year where science becomes fun, exciting and entertaining for all and to show the world that Ireland is serious about science.

A selection of the 160 events were announced today including the St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Susan Kirby, CEO of St. Patrick’s Festival said:

The Festival Parade on March 17th will showcase the joy of discovery and wonder of science using the country’s largest and most visually impactful artistic performance. The public will also explore the science theme at the Festival Treasure Hunt on Bank Holiday Monday, 19th March.

Other events include a key Dublin City of Science hub, The Science Gallery. The Science Gallery Founding Director Michael John Gorman spoke about plans for 2012. ‘Dublin City of Science is a fantastic opportunity to ignite passion for science, technology and innovation in Ireland.

Stephen Cluxton, Dublin Footballer and Science Teacher and Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, Phd student and Television presenter were also at the Launch today as science ambassadors for 2012 and welcomed this key year for Dublin and the country.

Two websites were also launched today for the Dublin City of Science activities and the ESOF 2012 programme.

For more information: www.dublinscience2012.ie and www.esof2012.org