News & Events

University of Galway has celebrated the achievements of its 2026 Alumni Award honourees at its gala award ceremony on campus.  The awards recognise outstanding graduates from across the University’s global alumni community. Since the establishment of the University in 1845 more than 145,000 people have graduated.   The awards highlight exceptional contributions from our alumni across a range of fields including the arts, business, law, public service, science, health, sport and emerging leadership, with recipients making a significant impact at local, national and international level.  The 2026 University of Galway Alumni Award recipients were: Alumni Award for Arts, Literature and Celtic Studies Professor Fran O’Rourke, Emeritus Professor, University College Dublin Alumni Award for Business and Commerce - Sponsored by Bank of Ireland Michael Lohan, Chief Executive Officer, IDA Ireland Gradam Alumni don Ghaeilge Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General of TG4 Alumni Award for Law, Public Policy and Society – Sponsored by RDJ Katie Mannion, Managing Solicitor, Irish Refugee Council Law Centre Alumni Award for Engineering, Science and Technology - Sponsored by Analog Devices Professor Patrick Farrell, Professor of Numerical Analysis, University of Oxford Alumni Award for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences – Sponsored by Medtronic Professor James Meaney, Professor of Radiology and Director, Thomas Mitchell Centre for Advanced Medical Imaging (CAMI), St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin Alumni Award for Contribution to Sport  Fiona Murtagh, World Champion Rower Alumni Award for Emerging Leader - Sponsored by BioInnovate        Ruth Mackey and David Mackey, founders of Mbryonics  Professor David Burn, University of Galway President, said: “The Alumni Awards are one of the most important occasions in our university calendar, as we come together to celebrate the extraordinary impact our graduates are making across the world. Each of this year’s recipients embodies the talent, ambition and values of University of Galway, and we are immensely proud of their achievements. Their success reflects not only their individual excellence, but also the strength of our global alumni community and its continued connection to the University.” Ends  

 Childhood disability congress launches campaign for inclusion and positive change   A nationwide call has been launched asking clubs, businesses, schools and community organisations and groups to join the #Every1Counts initiative and make one positive change for people with disabilities. The campaign is being undertaken ahead of the annual European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD) Congress which is hosted by University of Galway from June 3rd to 6th in partnership with Enable Ireland, Central Remedial Clinic and Children’s Health Ireland. The mission of #Every1Counts is to promote and strengthen the efforts of individuals, clubs, and organisations across Ireland to include people with childhood-onset disabilities, by making one meaningful and practical change to improve inclusion. Dr Hazel Killeen, President of the EACD Annual Congress 2026, and Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy, University of Galway, said: “It is very important to all of us to be included equally with our peers. Communities all over the country are making great efforts to make that a reality for people with all levels of ability. With that energy in mind, we are launching an important call to action as part of EACD 2026 - we are asking every club, business, school and community in Ireland to make one positive change for people with disabilities. This is about one action now in the lead up to the congress rather than in dreaming of big things to do out in the future. “You may think one change in your club may not make a huge difference but collectively around Ireland we can make a powerful change, demonstrating with clear action that #Every1Counts.” The deadline for submitting #Every1Counts initiatives is Wednesday, June 3rd with submissions made on https://www.eacd2026.com/get-involved A number of initiatives which have already been taken have been highlighted as a means to inspire communities to take up the call to action: Ability West and Connacht Rugby are running Camp Ability, inclusive rugby summer camps in Galway for children with intellectual disabilities. Tallaght Athletics Club in Dublin has become the first in Ireland to integrate Frame Running, an international adaptive sport and recreational activity for people with limited mobility. Reels on Wheels is offering céilí dancing for wheelchair users in Limerick. Awards for the best initiatives will be presented during the EACD congress. The theme of the congress is ‘Mol an Óige agus Tiochfaidh Siad’ - Encourage the young, and they will flourish. The programme includes an Experience Village, which runs alongside the four-day congress and offers a showcase of inclusive sports, adapted water sports, accessible gaming and personalised creativity, led by organisations and charities all over Ireland. These include: Adapted surfing demos and try-outs and Swim Ireland's Para Athlete Support Programme - hosted by West Coast Surfing, Liquid Therapy Donegal, and Swim Ireland Frame Running demos and come try sessions - hosted by Enable Ireland and frame.runningireland Accessible Gaming Arcade - hosted by Enable Ireland’s National and Regional Assistive Technology Services Wheelchair Hurling exhibition match and come try session​ - hosted by Enable Ireland and Connacht GAA for All in collaboration with Munster GAA for All Reels on Wheels Ceilí Dancing - hosted by AllIrishDance Para Rowing – hosted by Paralympian, Katie O’Brien, Paralympic Rowing Ireland Coaches and Get Going Get Rowing Make your own tools: Intro to 3D design – hosted by University of Galway’s MakerSpace Inclusive Mobile Cycling Hub – hosted by Variety Ireland Margaret McGrath, Children Disability Network Manager, Enable Ireland, said: “I’m truly excited that this co-designed experience village brings together lived experience and expert knowledge to create something special. We invite everyone to come along and discover new experiences in sports, gaming, and personalised creativity. It will also be a great opportunity to learn about the incredible work of organisations, clubs, and individuals across Ireland who are championing inclusion and participation for people with disabilities and to become part of it.” Rory O’Sullivan, Head of Strategy & Innovation, Central Remedial Clinic, said: “At CRC, we are proud to support EACD 2026 and the #Every1Counts Hub, which so clearly reflects our shared commitment to inclusion, participation, and empowering people with disabilities to reach their full potential. The call for every organisation, club, and community to make one meaningful change is both practical and powerful, real inclusion is built through everyday actions. This initiative aligns strongly with our strategy to enable access and opportunity across the lifespan, and we encourage all partners to play their part in creating communities where every child and young person can flourish.”             Dr Aoife Mahony, Consultant in Paediatric Neurodisability, Childrens Health Ireland, said: “Healthcare extends beyond clinical settings — it is also about ensuring children and young people can fully participate in their schools, sports clubs, communities, and everyday lives. The Every1Counts Hub highlights the collective responsibility we all share in creating a more inclusive Ireland. We are delighted to support EACD 2026 in these exciting initiatives that empower children with disabilities to thrive.” Along with a cutting-edge scientific programme, Fáilte Ireland is partnering with EACD 2026, using its new social impact framework, to help measure the impact of the Every1Counts initiative over time. This collaboration supports Ireland’s Business Events Strategy 2030, which positions international conferences hosted in Ireland as catalysts for social change, and long-term legacy. Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development, Fáilte Ireland, said: “Fáilte Ireland is delighted to welcome the EACD Congress 2026 to Galway this June. We are proud to partner with EACD on an intentional impact project, designed to define and measure the social impact of the conference. This collaboration supports Ireland’s Business Events Strategy 2030, which positions international conferences hosted in Ireland as catalysts for social change, and long-term legacy.” More information about the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD 2026) Congress is available at https://www.eacd2026.com/. Ends

A postgraduate researcher exploring disabled women’s sexual rights has won the top prize and the Audience Choice Award at University of Galway’s Threesis 2026, showcasing the very best in research communication. Grace Barnes earned first place ahead of 10 fellow finalists at the Threesis Grand Finale, a research communication competition challenging postgraduate researchers to present their work in just three minutes, using three slides. The finalists showcased research topics ranging from cancer biology, neuroscience and medical innovation to air quality, education and social justice, highlighting both the diversity and real-world impact of research underway at the University. Aengus Parsons, Acting Vice-President for Research and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “Threesis continues to be a standout event in our academic calendar, showcasing the exceptional talent of our postgraduate researchers. The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and engagingly in just three minutes is no small feat, and this year’s finalists demonstrated remarkable skill, creativity and insight. My congratulations to the winners and finalists, and to all those who took part.” Originally from Devon in England, Grace Barnes is a PhD researcher at the University’s Centre for Disability Law and Policy, under the supervision of Professor Eilionóir Flynn and Hardiman Scholar funded by Research Ireland. Her Threesis presentation focused on disabled women’s sexuality within the European Court of Human Rights and how this shapes access to sexual rights and identity. Drawing on analysis of case judgments and engagement with disabled women, she explained how legal frameworks can shape both rights and self-identity. Her presentation combined compelling storytelling with sharp insight and resonated strongly with both the judges and audience members, securing both first place and the Audience Choice Award. Second place went to Adam Collison, a PhD researcher from Dromineer, Co Tipperary. A physics graduate of the University, he is now based in the School of Natural Sciences, where he aims to help shape retrofit practices that deliver both lower carbon emissions and healthier spaces for building occupants. Third place went to Sienna Stucke, a Pharmacology PhD student, originally from Minnesota in the US, whose research explores the therapeutic potential of parasitic worms, known as helminths, in treating neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. The judges for this year’s competition, which attracted 65 entries, were Kevin Murray, 2025 Threesis winner, Audrey Bleach, Senior Culture and Operations Leader at Cisco, and Professor Dónal Leech, Dean of Graduate Studies at University of Galway. Ends