Maths Week Ireland (MWI) is an annual all-island (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) mathematics outreach initiative which takes place throughout Ireland each October. It was founded in 2006 by Waterford Institute of Technology (now SETU) staff members Eoin Gill and Sheila Donegan (based on an idea by Gill), and is a project of that institution's STEM outreach Centre for the Advancement of Learning of Maths, Science and Technology (CALMAST). Gill (an engineer) and Donegan (a chemist) continue to direct and run MWI.Maths Week co-founder Dr Sheila Donegan named STEM businesswoman of the year techcentral.ie, 30 September 2019
In 2019 MWI engaged over 400,000 people on an island with a population of under 7 million and is arguably the world's largest mathematics festival.Maths Week Ireland 2018 – The world’s largest maths festival launches and is set to engage 300,000 people Science Foundation IrelandHome Page 2020 Maths Week Ireland
Purpose MWI is a partnership of over 50 organizations dedicated to promoting and celebrating mathematics across the island of Ireland, including universities, institutes of technology, colleges, museums, libraries, visitor centres, and other professional bodies.Home Page 2017 Maths Week Ireland Maths Week Ireland is currently supported by the Irish Government’s Department of Education and Taighde Eireann, Research Ireland (formerly SFI), and the Northern Ireland government’s Department for the Economy and technology company AMD.
MWI targets school and universities, as well as hosting weekend "street fairs" in cities such as Dublin, Belfast and Cork.Maths Week Ireland 2018–The world’s largest maths festival Science Foundation Ireland 2018 Events are run by the participants with materials delivered online by Maths Week Ireland. Most schools run their own special activities. Maths Week is a nine-day event (a Saturday to the Sunday of the following weekend, inclusive) which always includes the 16th of October, the day in 1843 when William R. Hamilton discovered quaternions. The idea has been so successful that it has now been replicated in England and Scotland.
MWI hosts the Maths Ireland website which is home to the monthly blogsmonthly blogs at Mathematics Ireland of the Annals of Irish Mathematics & Mathematicians (AIMM), authored by Colm Mulcahy.Atlas of Irish Mathematicians at Mathematics Ireland
Starting in 2016, MWI has also produced the annual Irish Maths Calendars which are also archived at the Maths Ireland site.Irish Maths (wall) Calendars at Mathematics Ireland
Presenters Mathematicians and mathematics popularizers who have been MWI presenters include:
David AchesonMaths Week Ireland 2012 The Aperiodical, 27 October 2012 John D. BarrowWhy Being a Lefty is All Right When it Comes to Sport The Irish Times, 16 October 2012 Chris Budd Eugenia ChengMaths Week Pianist on a Numerical Mission The Irish Times, 14 October 2015 Keith DevlinMaths Week Events Take Place Throughout Ireland Today The Irish Times, 14 October 2013 Rob EastawayThe Sum of All Parts The Irish Times, 04 September 2009 Raymond Flood James Grime Tiago Hirth Andrew Jeffrey Colm Mulcahy Matt ParkerClowns Puzzles and Teasers for Maths Week The Irish Times, 13 October 2014 Kjartan Poskitt Mark Saul Marcus du SautoyMaths Often at Root of Creative Endeavours Says Professor The Irish Times, 12 October 2010 Bobby Seagull David Singmaster Katie Steckles James TantonMaths Week 2020 launches with bumper programme of activity to help people ‘Rethink Maths’ Science Foundation Ireland Robin Wilson Colin Wright
Maths Week Ireland Award In 2016 MWI inaugurated the annual Maths Week Ireland Award to honor outstanding work in raising public awareness of mathematics. The award is presented during Maths Week Ireland.Maths Week Ireland Award Maths Week Ireland Awardees so far are:
2025: Paul Nugent 2024: Colm MulcahyProf Colm Mulcahy wins 2024 Maths Week Ireland Award for exceptional contribution while bringing fun to maths The Irish Times, Oct 21 2024 2023: Ciaran O'Sullivan and Terry MaguireTU Dublin lecturer wins Mathsweek award, School of Mathematics and Statistics, Technological University Dublin, 19 Oct, 2023 2022: Rafael de Andrade Moral 2021: Dara Ó BriainDara Ó Briain receives Maths Week Ireland award The Irish Times, 20 October 2021 2020: Aoibhinn Ní ShúilleabháinAoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin receives 2020 Maths Week Ireland award The Irish Times, 14 October 2020 2019: Mark McCartneyUlster University Mathematician Receives Award For Raising Public Awareness Of Maths The Irish Times, 28 October 2019 2018: Anthony O’Farrell and Fiacre Ó Cairbre who founded the annual Hamilton WalkIrish mathematicians receive Maths Week Ireland Award The Irish Times, 18 October 2018 2017: Peter LynchPeter Lynch honored for raising awareness of maths The Irish Times, 18 October 2017 2016: Des MacHaleIrish mathematician Des MacHale honoured with Maths Week award by Colm Gorey, Silicon Republic, 16 October 2016.
References
External links Maths Week Ireland Official Website