Cork discovers: learn, live, love research
We propose to host a Cork Discovers European Researchers Night (ERN) in 2018 and 2019 that will showcase research in fun, creative ways and will promote engagement between researchers and the public. The event will feature over 60 interactive events, with topics ranging from Archaeology to Zoology. Under the theme Learn, Live, Love Research (figure 1), Cork Discovers invites people to: 
•	Learn about research and find out what it means to their lives; 
•	Live like a researcher; visit laboratories and libraries, meet researchers and do experiments;
•	Love what research has to offer. 
Our consortium will bring ERN to Cork, Ireland, for the first time. Cork is Ireland’s largest county and has a population of over half-a-million people. It is home University College Cork (UCC), the project coordinator and largest University in the South of the Country. UCC sits in the heart of Cork and is ideally located to attract people from throughout the region. Its research strengths, as well as that of its consortium partner Teagasc, are closely linked to the local economy and community interests. This research will be the basis for a programme of outreach activities that are of relevance and interest to the local community forming 6 themes : Marine, Technology, Health, Agriculture & Food, Environment and Cultural Heritage. UCC and Teagasc will be supported in running the event by Cork City Council, the largest local authority in the region with extensive local knowledge and networks, and by UCC Academy Limited, a project management company with expertise in outreach and research communication.
As 2018 is the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH), a large section of the Cork Discovers programme will be dedicated to the topic and will encourage the people of Cork to discover and engage with their cultural heritage. We intend to apply for the EYCH label for the Cork Discovers ERN, an intention which has been very positively received by the Heritage Council of Ireland.