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University of Galway hosts unique event for 5th year students studying Drama, Film and Theatre Studies University of Galway hosted a pioneering exploration day to support the first students in Ireland to study the new Leaving Certificate subject Drama, Film and Theatre Studies. More than 70 fifth year students and teachers from Clifden Community School, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Galway Community College, Galway Educate Together Secondary School and Merlin College took part in the event. These five schools are among the first nationwide to deliver the newly introduced Leaving Certificate subject, which commenced in September 2025, marking a significant milestone in the rollout of creative arts education in Ireland. The exploration day was co-designed by secondary school teachers and academic staff from the University’s College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, ensuring close alignment with the new curriculum and the needs of students encountering the subject for the first time. Students engaged directly with key elements of the curriculum, including theatre and film interpretation and creativity in practice, through a programme of hands-on workshops, interactive analysis sessions, technical training delivered by university experts and performances and screenings by University of Galway students. A highlight of the day was a guest talk from Fran Keaveney, of Creative Ireland’s Creative Careers initiative, offering insights into career pathways in the creative industries and demonstrating how their studies can translate into future opportunities. Fran Keaveney said: “I was extremely impressed by the Exploration Day at University of Galway. It gave students and teachers valuable insight into theatre, film and the wide range of careers in the sector. The students were engaged, curious and eager to learn, and it would be great to see more initiatives like this supporting those considering creative career paths.” The Drama, Film and Theatre Studies Exploration Day highlights University of Galway’s commitment to early engagement with schools and to building strong collaborations with educators and creative sector partners. Darren McDonagh, Drama, Film and Theatre Studies teacher in Merlin College, Galway, said: “This was a highly valuable event for both students and teachers, bringing theory and practice together in a meaningful way. It clearly highlighted the subject’s potential, from the Creativity in Practice project to future study and career pathways, while also giving students the chance to connect with like-minded peers. We look forward to continued collaboration with University of Galway as the subject develops.” By introducing students to an on-campus learning environment, the initiative highlights pathways from school to higher education and careers in the creative arts. Dr Seán Crosson, Head of Discipline in the Huston School of Film and Digital Media at University of Galway, said: "Our exploration day reflects our strong commitment to working with schools and showcasing clear pathways into film, creative arts and teaching. This is further supported by our Creative Europe-funded Film Corner Clubs project, which is providing innovative resources to support the teaching of the Drama, Film and Theatre Studies Leaving Certificate subject.” Dr Ian Walsh, Head of Discipline Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway, said: 'It was wonderful to meet students of the new Leaving Certificate subject in Drama, Film and Theatre and to share some of our expertise with such an enthusiastic and creative cohort as well as show them around our state-of-the art facilities in the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance.” Students interested in studying in this area at University of Galway can choose from a range of undergraduate programmes that offer pathways into the creative industries and to teaching in Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, including: Bachelor of Arts (Film & Digital Media) (GY127); Performance and Screen Studies (within GY101); and Bachelor of Arts (Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies) (GY118). Further information, including how to apply, is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/ba-degrees/ Ends  

Tá coimisiún nua clár faisnéise i nGaeilge fógartha mar chuid d’Eolaíocht ar an Scáileán, tionscnamh a thacaíonn le forbairt scannán a scrúdaíonn taighde eolaíoch do lucht féachana leathan. Tacóidh an tionscnamh le léiriú clár faisnéise 25 nóiméad i nGaeilge a dhíríonn ar STEM (eolaíocht, teicneolaíocht, innealtóireacht agus matamaitic) agus reáchtálfar féile sula gcraolfar é ar TG4. Is cuid den tionscnamh STEM as Gaeilge é seo, clár náisiúnta dhá bhliain maoinithe ag Taighde Éireann tríd an gClár Discover, faoi cheannas an Dr Fintan Hegarty agus an tOllamh Cathal Seoighe in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Tá sé mar aidhm le STEM as Gaeilge rannpháirtíocht san eolaíocht, sa teicneolaíocht, san innealtóireacht agus sa mhatamaitic a mhéadú i measc phobal na Gaeilge agus tacú le conairí do chainteoirí Gaeilge in oideachas agus i ngairmeacha STEM. Bronnfar €40,000 ar an bhfoireann léiriúcháin a n-éireoidh leo chun scannán a chríochnú faoi Mhárta 2027. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Dr Fintan Hegarty, Ceannaire an Tionscadail STEM as Gaeilge: "Is iontach an deis é seo a bheith páirteach sa tionscnamh Eolaíocht ar an Scáileán. Trí lucht déanta scannán a thabhairt le chéile le taighdeoirí a labhraíonn Gaeilge, cuireann an coimisiún seo deis uathúil ar fáil scéalta spreagúla STEM a fhorbairt trí pheirspictíocht shainiúil na Gaeilge. Is deis é seo bealaí nua a chur ar fáil chun an eolaíocht a fheiceáil agus a roinnt, agus ag an am céanna tacú le rannpháirtíocht níos fearr le STEM laistigh de phobal na Gaeilge agus níos faide i gcéin." Is comhpháirtíocht é Eolaíocht ar an Scáileán idir CÚRAM, Ionad Taighde d’Fheistí Leighis de chuid Thaighde Éireann in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, agus an comhlacht léiriúcháin Ardán. Tacaíonn an tionscnamh le léiriú clár faisnéise a scrúdaíonn taighde eolaíoch trí scannáin agus beochan. Go dtí seo, tá 10 gclár faisnéise léirithe ar ábhair lena n-áirítear galar Parkinson, cosc stróc agus taighde ar dhiaibéiteas. Tá siad feicthe ag beagnach dhá mhilliún duine ar fud an domhain agus craolta 13 huaire ar an teilifís. Beidh seisiún eolais ar siúl do lucht déanta scannán Dé hAoine, an 15 Bealtaine ó 10am go 1pm ag CREW Creative Enterprise West i bPáirc an Tobair i gCathair na Gaillimhe. Tabharfaidh an ócáid taighdeoirí a bhfuil Gaeilge acu ó réimse disciplíní STEM le chéile. Cuirfidh siad a gcuid oibre i láthair agus déanfaidh siad cur síos ar an bplé a bhíonn acu leis an nGaeilge. Beidh seisiún ceisteanna agus freagraí agus líonraithe ina dhiaidh sin, áit a mbeidh deis ag lucht déanta scannán smaointe faoi chláir faisnéise a chíoradh agus labhairt le rannpháirtithe ionchasacha.             Dúirt an tOllamh Abhay Pandit, Stiúrthóir CÚRAM: "Tá ríméad orainn go bhfuil ár gclár Eolaíocht ar an Scáileán in ann tacú leis an tionscnamh seo chun an chruthaitheacht, an tallann agus an nuálaíocht in STEM in Éirinn a thaispeáint chomh maith leis an tionchar tábhachtach atá ag daoine atá ag obair trí mheán na Gaeilge sna réimsí seo ar ár sochaí." Ní mór clárú roimh ré don lá eolais ag https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ardn1/2143389. Glacfar le hiarratais don choimisiún ón 10am an 18 Bealtaine 2026 go dtí an 22 Meitheamh 2026. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ag https://curamdevices.ie/science-on-screen-info-day-2026/ Críoch

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