News & Events

University of Galway has unveiled a new 5km River Route to enhance physical and mental wellbeing for students, staff and the wider community. The initiative was launched by Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Mike Cubbard, and University of Galway President, Professor David Burn, as part of the University’s ongoing investment in outdoor facilities, with funding support from Galway City Council’s Active Cities and Healthy Galway programmes The newly marked River Route begins on campus at the Jes Rowing Club and runs along the banks of the River Corrib, finishing at the rugby pitch within the University’s Dangan Sports Campus. The scenic riverside route makes use of the tow path and features clearly marked kilometre points and navigation maps to support walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities. The River Route formalises and enhances a pathway already popular with local running and community groups and is designed to encourage participation by people at every level, from casual walkers to more competitive athletes and those in training. Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Mike Cubbard said: ”Galway City Council is delighted to support the development of this fantastic River Route, through our Active Cities and Healthy Galway programmes. These programmes envision a Galway City where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential. The launch of the River Route is an excellent example of a free year-round exercise facility in the heart of Galway City. Congratulations to University of Galway on the launch of what will no doubt be a very well-used facility for the community.”             Professor David Burn, University of Galway President, said: “With the launch of this new River Route, we are strengthening our commitment to supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of our students, staff and the wider community. The River Corrib is a defining feature of our campus and very few universities can offer a 5km riverside experience like this. When you are on the route, surrounded by water and trees, it feels like being in the countryside, even though you are just minutes from the heart of Galway city. It’s a rare and unique part of campus life that we’re excited to share with everyone.”             Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at University of Galway, said: “This is an excellent addition to our campus for students, staff and the wider community. It will act as a support for people who are active and an inspiration for people who are thinking of being more active. It will influence people to walk, jog or run, all of which will help improve our physical and mental wellbeing and give us extra energy for work, life and the things we enjoy. “The benefits of physical activity include reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mood, enhancing sleep quality, and strengthening muscles and bones. It helps manage weight, boosts energy levels, improves cognitive function in older adults, and aids in managing conditions like arthritis and depression. The new River Route aims to make physical activity more accessible, visible and achievable for everyone.” The project was a collaborative project between the University’s Buildings and Estates Office and the Sports Unit, with funding support from Active Cities Galway through Sport Irelands Dormant Account Fund and Healthy Galway City through the Healthy Ireland Fund supported by the Department of Health. The new River Route builds on the University’s outdoor wellbeing facilities and infrastructure, which has expanded in recent years and supports more than 40 sports clubs, student groups, staff initiatives and community organisations. The facilities include: A full-size outdoor basketball court A 3v3 basketball court Table tennis facilities Two outdoor exercise stations The Sports Centre and Dangan Sports Campus A short video overview of the new River Walk/Jog/Run Route is available at https://youtu.be/kPtiPieIwME. Ends

New research led by University of Galway has found that burning "low smoke" manufactured fuels release tiny ultrafine particles that are potentially more harmful to human health.  Scientists at the University’s Ryan Institute carried out a series of controlled burn experiments using peat, wood, “low‑smoke” manufactured products, including “low‑smoke” coal - where smoky coal has been prohibited since 2022 - in domestic stoves to understand exactly what different home‑heating fuels release into the air.  The researchers measured the smoke using advanced instruments that track how many particles are produced, how big they are, and what they are made of.  The team also collected real‑world air measurements in Dublin and Birr, Co Offaly over several years, allowing them to compare laboratory results with what people actually breathe during winter pollution episodes. By combining these measurements with statistical fingerprinting techniques and established lung‑deposition models, the researchers identified which fuels contribute most to harmful pollution and how deeply those particles can penetrate into the respiratory system.  The results - observed in a “low smoke” zone in Ireland but relevant across Europe and highly consequential for rapidly transitioning regions such as China and India - show that EU, international and national regulatory frameworks need to respond faster to the growing body of scientific evidence.  The research has been published in Nature Geosciences here.  The study was led by the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, in collaboration with partners from Ireland, China, Australia and the USA. Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Director of the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: "Our study shows that in trying to cut particulate mass, emissions of the tiniest particles have unintentionally been driven up, which may be even more harmful to human health. These ultrafine particles from 'low smoke' fuels penetrate deepest into the lungs, from there to the cardiovascular system, and they can even reach the brain.  “Based on this data, we underscore the need to move away from residential solid fuel burning as part of the wider societal aim to decarbonise the economy by 2050."  The findings also highlight the urgent need to revise EU and International air quality standards to include ultrafine particles, ensuring air quality management strategies reduce mass concentration while not increasing ultrafine particle numbers.   The study demonstrates that replacing smoky fuels with “low-smoke” counterparts results in a two to three-fold increase in ultrafine particle emissions. Considering that the smaller ultrafine particles can penetrate deeper into the lungs and deposit there, this newly documented trend may offset some of the benefits of reducing smoke emissions. Instead of reducing the human exposure to ultrafine particles by reducing the total particulate matter (PM) mass, it results in an increase in the number of ultrafine particles and, potentially, health effects. Study shows that the particle number concentrations are significantly (ten times) underestimated in current air quality models   Air pollution is responsible for several million premature deaths worldwide each year. A major driver behind this alarming statistic is exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5; less than 2.5 µm in diameter). Even in Ireland – often perceived as having clean air – PM2.5 pollution is linked to more than 1,700 premature deaths annually. Compared to PM2.5, ultrafine particles (less than 100 nm in diameter) induce more severe pulmonary inflammation and exhibit prolonged lung retention due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, even crossing the bloodbrain barrier. Their toxicity increases with decreasing size, larger specific surface area, surface-bound constituents, and inherent physical properties.  Despite the health burden of ultrafine particles being increasingly recognised in European policy with the recently revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (EU 2024/2881), which for the first time introduces mandatory monitoring of ultrafine particles across Member States. This study adds to the body of evidence that the directive needs to go even further and define binding regulatory limit values for ultrafine particles.  The Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies at University of Galway provides evidence to national and EU policymakers, supporting the development of air‑quality standards, emission‑reduction strategies, and climate‑action planning. Its work underpins Ireland’s capacity to meet emerging regulatory requirements, including the new EU obligations for ultrafine particle monitoring.  The research was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland.  Ends

University of Galway has welcomed the award of Government funding to progress the development of a new School of Medicine Building and support the expansion of healthcare education.  The investment was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., as part of a €75million capital programme which is being made available through the Healthcare Education Activation Programme (HEAP) under Project Ireland 2040.  The Government funding supports the building of the new School of Medicine Building at University of Galway, as well as a new Masters in Pharmacy programme, which is in its first year, and a new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Connected Health) degree which is due to commence in September 2027.  The University’s new School of Medicine Building is to be built on the south campus, a short distance from the Quadrangle, where it will join the Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance.  The new building development complements the expansion of healthcare courses at University of Galway - the five-year MPharm, which commenced in September 2025 and will offer 75 student places at full roll-out, and the new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Connected Health) programme which is due to begin in September 2027 to address critical medical workforce deficits, with 48 places available for students at full roll-out.  Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “Government funding for University of Galway to expand of healthcare education and state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities is a strong acknowledgement of the role which our institution plays both regionally and nationally. I would like to thank Minister Lawless, the Department and the Higher Education Authority for the support. This investment in University of Galway ensures we are primed to play a critical role in the development of the next generation of healthcare specialists and leaders.”   Dr Martina Ni Chúlain, Director of Strategic Development at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “With investment of this nature and our planned developments in healthcare teaching and learning at University of Galway, we are turning our strategy into action. This new medical school building strengthens our established position as a national and international leader in medical education and research, further advancing the student experience, the excellence of our academics and researchers and delivering meaningful benefits for our region, for patients and for the wider health sector.”  Professor Robert Scully, Programme Director of the new Graduate Entry Medicine, said: “This new facility represents a transformative investment in the future of medicine and health sciences at the University of Galway. Designed as a vibrant, co-located hub for interdisciplinary learning and discovery, it enables us to deliver medical and healthcare education through cutting-edge, technology-enabled teaching practices and redefines how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.”   Professor Laurence Egan, Head of the School of Medicine at University of Galway, said: “The new School of Medicine Building will not only transform how we teach and learn, but also strengthen the way we collaborate across disciplines and engage with our healthcare partners. It will foster a model of medical education that champions innovation, teamwork, and a deep connection to the evolving healthcare needs of our region and beyond.” The University secured planning approval for the development of the new School of Medicine Building last September. The building design runs over four storeys, covering approximately 3,925sq metres, and is integrated, via a glazed atrium link, with the existing Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance.  It will offer state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, including tutorial, seminar and meeting rooms, study spaces and collaboration areas, advanced research laboratories and administration offices.  As part of the University’s broader sustainability goals, the design includes plant systems and solar PV panels to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Ends