Aileen Drohan

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Delighted to share my interview with @siliconrepublic for #ScieneWeek where I talked about my research journey and work @WaltonInst

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

In this interview with @siliconrepublic, @AileenDrohan Software Research Engineer in the Mobile Ecosystem and Pervasive Sensing (MEPS) division at Walton Institute, @SETUIreland, explains how using her creative background she develops and contributes to projects that connect science and technology with communities.

“My work sits at the intersection of education, sustainability and innovation, exploring how STEM can be woven into everyday life through curiosity and creativity.”

🧾 Read her full story now.

https://t.co/oNJnuperB0

#WaltonInstitute #SETU #STEM #eTextiles
@SETU_Research

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

It was such a pleasure working with this fantastic and enthusiastic group from the Waterford New Community Women's Shed

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Walton Institute’s @AileenDrohan was delighted to bring a Microgreens workshop to the New Community Women’s Group, at Central Library last week 🪴

This enthusiastic group learned the basics of growing microgreens at home - young, edible plants known for their intense flavours, which can typically be harvested within one to three weeks depending on the variety.

Thanks to Europe Direct Waterford and @WaterfordCounci for supporting this initiative, to @WaterfordLibs for hosting the workshop, and to DGM Photographic for the fabulous photos.

#MicroGreens #Workshop #sustainability

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Join our free E-Textile Workshop in Ferrybank. Learn how to sew circuits, add LEDs to fabric, and recharge with solar power.
Spaces are limited. Check out the details below.

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Ever tried sewing with circuits? Join our free hands-on e-textile workshop and make your own light-up fabric craftwork in an embroidery hoop🔧

In this practical introduction to solar energy and e-textiles you’ll learn how to:
- Use conductive thread to stitch an LED (light) onto fabric
- Connect the LED to an on/off switch and rechargeable AAA batteries
- Harness solar power to recharge the batteries with a small solar panel

🔋 E-Textile Workshop: Dive into electronic textiles and solar energy for a sustainable crafting experience.
👥 Ages: Adults (18+)
💸 Cost: Free
📅 Starts: Saturday 27th September
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Ferrybank Men's Shed

Basic sewing experience is an advantage but not essential!

This workshop is part of ‘Shed the Light’, a Walton Institute (@SETUIreland) project, supported by Kilkenny County Council and @creativeirl under the Creative Kilkenny programme.

Spaces are limited – booking your place here now ➡️
https://t.co/rjA7FZpm4q

Further information available from [email protected]

#CreativeCommunities #IrishMensSheds #CreativeKilkenny #KilkennyCountyCouncil #CreativeIreland

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this. Such an inspiring group to work with.

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Walton Institute’s @AileenDrohan worked with members of Ferrybank Men’s Shed on ‘Shed the Light’, a Walton Institute (@SETUIreland) project supported under Creative Communities by @creativeirl and Kilkenny County Council.

☀️ During this creative solar energy workshop series at Shed’s greenfield site in Abbeylands, participants learned to harness sunlight with small photovoltaic cells to recharge AAA and AA batteries. They also built LED desk-lamp circuits powered by rechargeable batteries, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable-energy technology and practical implementation, and lighting the way to a greener future 💡

#CreativeCommunities #IrishMensSheds #CreativeKilkenny #KilkennyCountyCouncil #CreativeIreland @SETU_Research @KilkennyNotices @CreativeIrlKK

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Excited to be involved in these upcoming summer camps! A great opportunity for your child/teen to explore wearable tech through hands-on learning in sewing, electronics, and coding. 👇 More details in the post below.

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

📣 An exciting opportunity for your child/teen to learn more about the world of e-Textiles with experts from Walton Institute and Fashion Connect Ireland through two unique summer camps.

Camp 1 July 7th - 11th E-Textiles: Sewing & Electronics 🧵 - explore wearable technology in a no code, hands-on environment that combines sewing, crafting, and electronics in a fun and educational way.

Camp 2 July 14th - 18th E-Textiles: Sewing & Coding 🪡 - Learn to code with Microsoft MakeCode for the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express — a beginner-friendly, sewable circuit board with built-in lights, sounds, sensors, and buttons.

✅ Small Class Size (10 max.)
✅ Two age groups: 12 - 15 yrs and 15 - 18 yrs
✅ Interactive, hands-on Lessons
✅ Expert Instructors

Limited spaces available. Sign up before 23rd June to secure your place.

For more info visit ➡️ https://t.co/edU4NMnnva

#ETextiles #SummerCamp #Coding #Sewing #Electronics

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Delighted to have Svitlana Krapivina at Walton Institute for her @WaterfordVTOS work placement. Big thanks to @waterfordcu for their continued support of this fantastic initiative!

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Svitlana Krapivina joined Walton Institute on a short work placement from Waterford VTOS, supported by the Waterford Credit Union Community Fund 2025. Svitlana gained hands on experience in our e-textiles lab, where she had the opportunity to work with breadboarding circuits to test functionality before integrating circuits into fabric, working with conductive thread, electronic components and solar panels.

Read more about Svitlana’s experience working with e-textiles 🧵

#eTextiles #WomenInSTEM @waterfordcu

https://t.co/te8S4HrMa2

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

https://t.co/aVIscExrVU

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Join us for a FREE workshop to learn how to grow your very own microgreens🌿

⏰ WHEN: Friday 26th July 10.30am-12.30pm
📕 WHERE: Central Library, Lady Lane, Waterford

Spaces are limited. Book your spot today, call Central Library on 051 849975 ☎

https://t.co/SeyuGLOrtS

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Join me in the upcoming Smart Plants Workshop! 📱🌿

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

👩‍🌾 FREE interactive Smart Plants Workshop with Walton Institute. Learn how to connect a plant sensor to your phone via Bluetooth to monitor your plants health 🌿

⏰Central Library @ Fri 12th July 10.30am-12.30pm
Book your place now ☎️051 849975

https://t.co/yCHIe9nvJV

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

💤Vilma Triberze, a student at @WaterfordVTOS, created a fantastic e-textiles sleep aid for kids during her 60-hour work placement @WaltonInst @SETUIreland, sponsored generously by @waterfordcu's Community Fund.

Check out Vilma's wonderful piece below⬇️

https://t.co/p85Z4v8mxt

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Excited to share that our #YarningConnections project is spotlighted in the Irish Independent! 🌟 Grab the free pattern today – simply visit https://t.co/RnGVWww4z3 and click on the pattern image. Happy crafting! #Knitting #Crochet #eTextiles 🧶🎉#BelieveInScience

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

NATIONAL NEWS COVERAGE 👏 Congrats to the fantastic #YarningConnections team and participants for the project's full page-feature in @Independent_ie.

The project was led by @WaltonInst @SETUIreland and funded by @scienceirl.

🗞️Find the article HERE: https://t.co/nutK8HMfu0.

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Thrilled to have been part of such a fantastic event! 🎉

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

🌿@WaltonInst @SETUIreland celebrated a wonderful Europe Day @CentralLibrary, hosted by @eudirect and @SouthernAssembl, as partners on the #Cities2030 @HorizonEU project, which focuses on citizen-centred initiatives to promote sustainable cities and regional food systems.

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Delighted to see our #YarningConnections project, supported by @scienceirel featured in The Farmers Journal.
#BelieveInScience

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

👏Delighted the #YarningConnections e-textiles project, led by @WaltonInst @SETUIreland, has been featured in The Irish @farmersjournal: https://t.co/B7RHi3SDb4.

🤝This is a special project, with community #STEM engagement at its core.

#etextiles #smartmaterials @scienceirel

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Captured the spirit of our event beautifully. #Cities2030

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

This gorgeous illustration by the talented Ruth Graham tells the story of the online #SeedingSustainability event, recently hosted by @WaltonInst @SETUIreland as part of the #Cities2030 project.

🥦The event delved deep into reshaping our food systems for a healthier tomorrow.

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

Exciting news! Our #YarningConnections project has officially launched its knitting and crochet e-textile craft patterns.🧶Available under a Creative Commons license - visit our project page at https://t.co/RnGVWww4z3 & click on the pattern image to download the pattern booklet.

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

We love it when an event just... knits together! HUGE congratulations to the #YarningConnections team on the launch of the project's knitting and crochet e-textile craft patterns, held yesterday @WaltonInst at @SETUIreland🎉

@sparkfun @scienceirel @SparkFunEDU #BelieveinScience

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Consumers can join the @Cities2030 conversation by taking our 'Sustainability, Food Choices and Climate Action' survey➡️https://t.co/YkmTyiq583

The survey poster sits alongside climate action exhibits made by local artists & community groups on display in Central Library now🙏

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Hurrah, @WaltonInst at @SETUIreland has been shortlisted in the Transformational Change category of the @waterfordcc Business Awards 2023 for @scienceirel eTextiles project Yarning Connections. We're delighted to be shortlisted and in such great company👏#BelieveInScience #WBA23

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Interested in learning more about #eTextiles? Book now to take part in this unique workshop on Wednesday 20th September at Central Library Waterford. Co-facilitated by @AileenDrohan Experienced Software Research Engineer at Walton's eTextiles Lab ✂️

https://t.co/xSpQdZhuXI

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Interested in learning more about #eTextiles? Book now to take part in this unique workshop on Wednesday 20th September at Central Library Waterford, co-facilitated by @AileenDrohan, Experienced Software Research Engineer at @WaltonInst's eTextiles Lab ✂️

[Aileen Drohan @AileenDrohan]

A snapshot of the work created over the last few weeks.

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

The fabric of community! Great work created @WaterfordLibs by #YarningConnections, a @WaltonInst project supported by @scienceirel where knitting, crochet and yarn crafting groups engage in #STEM explorations of #eTextiles. #BelieveInScience https://t.co/93jt2jKsaH

[Walton Institute @WaltonInst]

Great start to the ‘Yarning Connections’ Walton Institute project supported by @scienceirel. Check out some images from our first #etextiles workshop at @WaterfordLibs as participants embarked on working with conductive yarn & circuit integration in yarn crafts #BelieveInScience