The story of someone who refused to accept the life she was told to want.

Dream Big book cover

Mercier Press · 2020

Dream Big: An Irishwoman's Space Odyssey

A memoir about impossible dreams — and what happens when a 40-year-old engineer from Ireland decides to stop making excuses and go to space anyway.

"For those wishing to steer a new life course, particularly at midlife, this is an elevating story."

— Irish Examiner  ·  ★★★★ Sunday Times Ireland

For commissioning editors

Features, columns and commentary on space, science and human exploration.

Niamh writes about the human stories behind space exploration — what it costs, what it means, and what it changes about the way we see Earth. Her work appears in The Irish Times, BBC Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope and Europlanet.

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Topics

Human spaceflight · Climate and Earth observation · Women in STEM · Exploration and identity · Science policy

Formats

Features · Columns · Commentary · Essays · Memoir

Newsletter

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On stage

The shows that started it all.

Artist in Residence, Blackrock Castle Observatory · 2014–2019

Before the book, before the expeditions — there were three theatre shows. Each one asked a bigger question than the last. The first show activated the impossible dream. The second show followed it. The third lived inside it. Together, they led directly to Dream Big, the book- and to everything that came after.

2011-2013

That's About The Size Of It

What does science tell us about the purpose of our existence? While making this show, Niamh remembered her passion for space — and she activated her impossible dream. And so it began.

2014 – 2016

To Space

What happens when you decide to follow the impossible dream? Niamh presents snippets of key moments in her life, her father finally helping her let go of her fears and step in to her destiny to space. Toured internationally — Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Science Festival, Dublin Fringe.

2017 – 2018

Diary of a Martian Beekeeper

It's 2036. You're on Mars, waiting on a shipment of bees — part of an experiment to see if they can pollinate plants on another world. A nod to her father and their shared time as beekeepers, the shows questions the cost of a dream and the rigour and authenticity required in the pursuit of our true lifes purpose. The dream, fully imagined.

Work with Niamh

The book starts the journey. The live work takes you further.

Broadcasting, keynotes, column writing, festival programming and specialist commentary on human space exploration.

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