Galway events:Freebooting sounds far more exciting than fish counting, and fictitious pirate Capt Jack Sparrow wouldn't have the same approach to "ocean management" as the the likes of the late French film-maker, Cdr Jacques Cousteau.
Perhaps that explains why one prominent marine scientist quit the day job in Galway yesterday, transforming himself into Capt Blackbeard to perform the official opening of National Science Week.
Complete with cutlass, pistol and eye patch, the buccaneer wasn't so much fearsome as friendly, and was very keen to give of his expertise in drawing cartoons. The captain, alias Dr John Joyce of the Marine Institute, was joined by a number of experts in presenting a day of activities at the Salthill aquarium.
Among the contributors were marine film-maker Vincent Hyland, environmentalist Brendan Smith of NUI Galway, and members of Galway Dive Club who made several sorties into the ocean tank. Staff from NUI Galway's Martin Ryan Institute engaged in interactive experiments, and a production entitled Horses of the Sea was performed by pupils from Claddagh National School.
Galway's science week is actually a fortnight, as its 10th annual science and technology festival opens today and runs until November 25th. Science educator James Soper, who holds a Guinness world record for juggling, rocket-maker Paul McRory, "splooze-maker" Sue McGrath and botanist and entomologist Éanna Ní Lamhna are among the many contributors.
The programme, drawn up by Galway Education Centre, moves from school to college to various venues. The highlight is the science and technology exhibition on Sunday November 25th in Leisureland, Salthill, and the adjoining Galway Bay Hotel.