News & Events

A new Irish-language documentary commission has been announced as part of Science on Screen, an initiative supporting the development of films that explore scientific research for wider public audiences. The initiative will support the production of a 25-minute Irish-language documentary focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) which will have a festival run before broadcast on TG4. The project forms part of the STEM as Gaeilge initiative, a two-year national programme funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland through the Discover Programme, led by Dr Fintan Hegarty and Professor Cathal Seoighe at University of Galway. STEM as Gaeilge aims to increase engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics within Irish-speaking communities and to support pathways for Irish speakers in STEM education and careers. The successful production team will be awarded €40,000 to complete the film by March 2027. Dr Fintan Hegarty, STEM as Gaeilge Project Lead, said: "It’s great to have the opportunity to be involved in this Science on Screen initiative. By bringing filmmakers together with Irish-speaking researchers, this commission offers a unique opportunity to develop compelling STEM stories through the distinct perspective of the Irish language. It’s a chance to open up new ways of seeing and sharing science, while supporting deeper engagement with STEM within Irish-speaking communities and beyond." Science on Screen is a partnership between CÚRAM, the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway, and production company Ardán. The initiative supports the production of documentaries that explore scientific research through film and animation. To date, 10 documentaries have been produced on subjects including Parkinson’s disease, stroke prevention and diabetes research, reaching global audiences of almost 2 million people and achieving 13 television broadcasts. An information session for filmmakers will take place on Friday May 15th from 10am to 1pm at CREW Creative Enterprise West in Wellpark, Galway City. The event will bring together Irish-speaking researchers from a range of STEM disciplines, who will present their work and discuss their relationship with the Irish language. A Q&A and networking session will follow, offering filmmakers an opportunity to develop documentary ideas and connect with potential contributors. Professor Abhay Pandit, Director of CÚRAM said: "We're delighted that our Science on Screen programme can support this initiative to showcase the creativity, talent and innovation in STEM in Ireland and important impact that people working through the Irish language in these fields have on and in our society." Advance registration for the information day is required and available at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ardn1/2143389. Applications for the commission open at 10am on 18 May 2026 and close on 22 June 2026. For more information visit https://curamdevices.ie/science-on-screen-info-day-2026/.   Ends

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless T.D. has led a special Topping Out celebration to mark a major milestone in the construction of the new Dr Karen Guinee Library at University of Galway.   The ceremony followed the completion of the roof on the new six storey landmark facility overlooking the river Corrib that will transform learning, research and collaboration on campus.   The new library is named in honour of Dr Karen Guinee, a distinguished University of Galway medicine graduate. It commemorates Dr Guinee’s legacy as a gifted and compassionate alumna who completed her education and training as a doctor with distinction.   Construction is due for completion in 2027.   The commemorative naming follows a significant philanthropic gift from the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, which is also supporting the establishment of a new scholarship for medical students in memory of Dr Guinee.   The development is also supported by a €15 million capital grant from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) and the Higher Education Authority.   Minister Lawless said: "Today marks an important milestone at the University of Galway in a project that reflects and honours the lasting legacy of Dr Karen Guinee. The development of the new library speaks to the university’s ambitions for the future and will deliver lasting benefits for students, staff and the wider community. As a transformative addition to the campus, the project also demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to investing in higher education and supporting strong regional development."   President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “We are delighted to mark this significant progress in the construction of our new library Library, one of the most significant developments on our campus in recent years and a poignant and fitting commemoration of such a highly regarded graduate – Dr Karen Guinee.   “Our new Library will be at the heart of how we provide welcoming and inspiring spaces for learning, discovery and engagement. It will change how our students and researchers access knowledge, work together and develop new ideas, while also opening our campus much more to the wider public.”                           Dr Michael Guinee, Chairman of the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, said: “My family and I are proud and honoured that the new Library at University of Galway will stand as a living tribute to my niece, Dr Karen Guinee. As we celebrate this milestone in its construction, it is our hope that this beautiful, state-of-the art facility, will honour her memory and inspire future generations of students to a career of excellence, dedication and service.”   Padraic Rhatigan, Group Managing Director and Chairman JJ Rhatigan, said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone with the topping out of the Dr Karen Guinee Library, a project that represents not only a significant investment in the future of students in Galway, but also another chapter in our long-standing partnership with the University of Galway It is a privilege for JJ Rhatigan to help deliver this cutting-edge facility, which will serve generations of students and support the continued growth of learning and innovation across the campus.”   Monica Crump, University of Galway Librarian, said: “The new Dr Karen Guinee Library will provide our students and researchers with an inspirational, supportive, high-tech space, designed to meet the current and future needs of teaching, learning and research. It will bring diverse people and disciplines together, enabling interaction and partnership, knowledge discovery and production, innovation and creativity. It will be a vibrant place of scholarship and learning and a flagship building for the University and the city.”   The roof completion and Topping Out represents a key stage in the delivery of a building which spans approximately 10,000m² and ranges from 4-6 storeys in height. When opened, it will become a central hub for students, researchers, staff and the wider community.   Once complete, the Dr Karen Guinee Library will provide over 2,244 study spaces, supporting a range of learning styles with dedicated areas for individual and collaborative work. The facility will also feature a digital scholarship centre, an enhanced makerspace, and a “book-bot”, a high-density storage and retrieval system for books for the Library’s physical book collection.   A key feature of the building is its ground floor, which will be open and welcoming to the public, creating a new space for engagement, events, and exhibitions in the heart of the campus overlooking the River Corrib.   The development of the Dr Karen Guinee Library at University of Galway is further supported by lead alumni and individual donors, and corporate partners including CBE and Anthony Ryan Ltd.   Ends

Reáchtáladh searmanas ar leith faoi stiúir an Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, James Lawless T.D., le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar leac mhullaigh dhíon Leabharlann an Dr Karen Guinee in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a bheith leagtha. Eagraíodh an searmanas nuair a críochnaíodh díon an fhoirgnimh nua sé stór a bhfuil radharc uaidh ar Abhainn na Gaillimhe. Beidh tionchar nach beag ag an bhfoirgneamh seo ar an mbealach a mbítear i mbun foghlama, taighde agus comhoibrithe ar an gcampas. Ainmníodh an Leabharlann nua in ómós an Dr Karen Guinee, céimí leighis den scoth de chuid Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Is ceiliúradh í an Leabharlann ar oidhreacht an Dr Guinee arbh alumna cumasach agus cineálta í a thug faoina cuid oideachais agus oiliúna mar dhochtúir le díograis agus dúthracht. Tá an obair thógála le tabhairt chun críche in 2027. Cinneadh an Leabharlann a ainmniú in ómós di i ndiaidh dúinn tabhartas flaithiúil daonchairdiúil a fháil ó Fhondúireacht Charthanachta Michael Guinee, atá ag tacú le scoláireacht nua do mhic léinn leighis a bhunú i gcuimhne an Dr Guinee chomh maith. Chuir an Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta deontas caipitil €15 mhilliún ar fáil chomh maith tríd an gCiste Bonneagair Straitéisigh um Ardoideachas (HESIF) agus an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas. Seo mar a labhair an tAire Lawless:  "Is céim mhór chun cinn é seo d’Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ar thionscadal ar léiriú agus comhartha ómóis é ar a bhfuil fágtha le huacht ag an Dr Karen Guinee. Is léiriú í an leabharlann nua ar aidhmeanna na hollscoile don am atá le teacht agus rachaidh sí chun tairbhe na mac léinn, na foirne agus an phobail i gcoitinne. Cuirfidh sí cruth eile ar fad ar an gcampas, agus is léiriú é an tionscadal ar thiomantas leanúnach an Rialtais infheistíocht a dhéanamh san ardoideachas agus tacú leis an mórfhorbairt réigiúnach." Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: “Tá áthas orainn ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an gcéim mhór chun cinn seo i dtógáil na Leabharlainne nua, ceann de na forbairtí is tábhachtaí ar an gcampas seo le blianta beaga anuas. Is comóradh caoin agus cuí í ar chéimí a raibh ardmheas uirthi – an Dr Karen Guinee. "Is léiriú í ár Leabharlann nua ar an gcaoi a gcuirimid spásanna fáilteacha agus spreagúla ar fáil le haghaidh foghlama, fionnachtana agus rannpháirtíochta. Athróidh sí an chaoi a dtagann ár gcuid mac léinn agus ár gcuid taighdeoirí ar eolas, an chaoi a mbíonn siad ag obair le chéile agus an chaoi a ndéanann siad smaointe nua a fhorbairt. Agus, ag an am céanna, cuirfidh an Leabharlann nua ar chumas i bhfad níos mó den phobal i gcoitinne leas a bhaint as an gcampas.”             Dúirt an Dr Michael Guinee, Cathaoirleach Fhondúireacht Charthanachta Michael Guinee: “Is cúis bhróid agus onóra dom féin agus do mo theaghlach go mbeidh an Leabharlann nua in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ina seasamh go hard i gcuimhne ar mo neacht, an Dr Karen Guinee. Agus an chéim mhór chun cinn seo san obair thógála á ceiliúradh againn, tá súil againn go mbeidh an áis álainn, cheannródaíoch seo ina comhartha ómóis di agus go spreagfaidh sí na glúnta mac léinn amach anseo le tabhairt faoi ghairm bheatha dhúthrachtach d'ardchaighdeán a bheidh dírithe ar sheirbhís a chur ar fáil.”  Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Padraic Rhatigan, Stiúrthóir Bainistíochta Grúpa agus Cathaoirleach JJ Rhatigan: “Tá ríméad orainn go bhfuil céim mhór chun cinn tógtha agus an leac mhullaigh leagtha ar dhíon Leabharlann an Dr Karen Guinee. Ní hamháin gur infheistíocht mhór é an tionscadal seo i dtodhchaí mhic léinn na Gaillimhe, ach is caibidil eile é sa chomhpháirtíocht fhadtéarmach idir muidne agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Is mór an phribhléid é do JJ Rhatigan go raibh lámh againn san áis cheannródaíoch seo a chur ar fáil, áis a fhreastalóidh ar na glúnta mac léinn agus a thacóidh le fás leanúnach na foghlama agus na nuálaíochta ar fud an champais.” Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Monica Crump, Leabharlannaí na hOllscoile: “Cuirfidh Leabharlann nua an Dr Karen Guinee spás ar fáil dár gcuid mac léinn agus dár gcuid taighdeoirí ina mbeidh inspioráid, tacaíocht, agus an teicneolaíocht is úire ar fáil agus a bheidh ag freastal ar na riachtanais teagaisc, foghlama agus taighde atá ann faoi láthair agus na cinn a bheidh ann amach anseo. Tarraingeoidh sí daoine agus disciplíní éagsúla le chéile, rud a chothóidh caidrimh agus comhpháirtíocht, fionnachtain eolais agus táirgeadh, nuálaíocht agus cruthaitheacht. Áit bhríomhar léinn agus foghlama a bheidh inti agus foirgneamh a bheidh inaitheanta leis an Ollscoil agus an chathair.” Is céim mhór chun cinn é an leac mhullaigh a bheith leagtha ar dhíon an fhoirgnimh atá thart ar 10,000m² agus a bhfuil idir 4-6 stór ann. Nuair a osclófar é, beidh sé ina mhol lárnach ag mic léinn, taighdeoirí, comhaltaí foirne agus an pobal i gcoitinne. Nuair a bheidh sí críochnaithe, beidh breis is 2,244 spás staidéir ar fáil i Leabharlann an Dr Karen Guinee, agus beifear ag tacú leis an iliomad stíleanna foghlama le limistéir a bheidh tiomnaithe d’obair aonair agus d’obair ghrúpa. Beidh ionad léinn dhigitigh, cúinne cruthaitheach níos mó, agus ‘bot leabhar’, córas ard-dlúis stórála agus soláthair leabhar ó bhailiúchán leabhar fisiciúil na Leabharlainne, san áis freisin. Tá urlár na talún ar cheann de na gnéithe is tábhachtaí den fhoirgneamh, spás pobail a bheidh oscailte agus fáilteach ina gcruthófar spás nua le haghaidh rannpháirtíochta, imeachtaí agus taispeántas i gcroílár an champais ag breathnú amach ar Abhainn na Gaillimhe. Tá tacaíocht á tabhairt chomh maith ag alumni ceannródaíocha agus deontóirí aonair, agus ag comhpháirtithe corparáideacha macasamhail CBE agus Anthony Ryan Ltd d’fhorbairt Leabharlann an Dr Karen Guinee in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Críoch