More than 60,000 visitors are expected to attend shows, performances, talks, exhibitions and events at 10 venues on the University’s city centre campus, from the Bailey Allen Hall, to lecture theatres, to the O’Donoghue Theatre and the Bank of Ireland Theatre.

Fourteen students are taking part in this year’s SELECTED programme - a whirlwind summer academy for emerging artists, theatre makers, curators and producers, and a key part of the University’s long-running Education Partnership with Galway International Arts Festival. The students of drama, English and theatre studies will get unrivalled behind the scenes experience and access to festival-making, including exclusive meetings with artists and producers.

Galway International Arts Festival Chief Executive, John Crumlish, said: “The partnership with the University of Galway has been very important to the Festival. It has been a key contributor to our development over the last number of years, facilitating the expansion of the Festival's presence and providing support for the development of new Irish work.”

University of Galway President, Professor David Burn, said: “The sheer breadth and variety of the opportunities presented by Galway International Arts Festival is something that we treasure. We are thrilled to see the festival and our partnership grow year on year. Our academics, students and staff help to make it what it is, and also get huge benefit for this long and growing relationship. We are delighted to see this year, yet again, tens of thousands of people enjoying events across the city and coming to our campus to enjoy performances and experiences with creativity at their core.”

Rena Bryson, SELECTED manager and a graduate of the programme, said: “The SELECTED programme offers a unique opportunity for students to make that transition from study to the industry while learning from and networking with industry leaders. And seeing so much work, whether as an ambassador or an audience member, over the two weeks is sure to inspire and offer new perspectives. It’s a group of exceptional young people who often after leaving Selected go on to create work together and that’s what the programme is really about offering the support, knowledge and inspiration for the next generation of artists in Galway.”

University of Galway and Galway International Arts Festival launched the Education Partnership in 2010. The collaboration is built around a shared commitment to creativity, the arts and showcasing bold, contemporary, new work, with public engagement and research and learning central to the mission.

With 2026 the International Year of the Volunteer, University of Galway is proud to sponsor the Galway International Arts Festival Volunteer Programme as well as hosting the Volunteer Hub on campus. More than 500 volunteers, including students, are taking part and playing a key role in events across the city and county - welcoming audiences and the 40 nationalities taking part in this year’s programme, stewarding at the Heineken Big Top, ushering at performances, invigilating at galleries, assisting at street spectacle events, and acting as Festival Ambassadors and Green Ambassadors.

University of Galway also hosts the Festival’s acclaimed First Thought Talks series, bringing together leading journalists, writers and university experts to explore a range of contemporary issues, from falling fertility rates and its societal implications to Irish neutrality to the affordability of home retrofitting. Speakers include renowned journalists and authors Bel Trew, Fintan O’Toole, Marion McKeon, Andrew O’Hagan, Lara Marlowe, Ben Brantley, Sally Hayden and Nick Maynard, alongside a number of distinguished University of Galway academics and researchers. 

University of Galway will once again host a series of post-show talks to explore the inspirations behind each of the theatre productions. 

University of Galway is also home to GIAF’s largest venue - the Heineken® Big Top in Fisheries Field which this year features a standout programme of international and Irish artists including the Patti Smith Quartet, Sophie Ellis-Bextor with special guest Kate Nash, James, The Saw Doctors, and, in an Irish exclusive this year The Flaming Lips with special guests Mercury Rev, who will all bring unforgettable live performances to the Festival. In a special double bill, Emeli Sandé and James Morrison share the stage, while Irish acts Bell X1, Block Rockin Beats and Cian Ducrot complete a vibrant Heineken® Big Top line-up.

University of Galway’s O’Donoghue Centre will also play host to ‘Assembly’, Ireland’s Pavilion from the Venice Biennale of Architecture. The installation is an interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, a composer, a poet and a woodworker and it is described as a prototype for a structure that facilitates non-hierarchical communication between strangers.

Vinyl Hours will again be hosted by university academic, Tiernan Henry who will take us on musical journeys, exploring the inspirations that shaped the music choices of guests, Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips and Katie Bel of Just Mustard.

Ends

 The unique opportunity is being offered as the University prepares to say goodbye to the James Hardiman Library, after more than half a century of service.

 The open day takes place on Saturday, July 25^th and runs from 11am-3pm.

 Visitors are also being asked to share the stories that made it so much more than just a building and place for studying and learning.

 Anyone who is interested in coming along for a visit full of fond memories, nostalgia and fun can register online in advance at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/alumni-friends/upcomingalumnievents/slan-jameshardimanlibraryopenday/

 University of Galway Librarian Monica Crump said: “As we prepare to move from the James Hardiman Library to the new Dr Karen Guinee Library in 2027, we invite University of Galway alumni, former staff and the people of Galway to come and visit the James Hardiman Library one last time on July 25th between 11am and 3pm.  

“Come and revisit your favourite seat in the Library, rekindle your memories of browsing the shelves and say one last goodbye to the James Hardiman Library. We’d love to hear your memories of your time in the Library - the late-night study sessions, the friendships and romances that blossomed over shared notes, the stressful deadlines, the eureka moment, the laughter, the procrastination, and the unforgettable moments in between.

“Help us honour the library and the role it has played in university life over the last 53 years by joining us on this day of celebration.”

 The open day is planned as the University looks ahead to the opening of the new Dr Karen Guinee Library in 2027. The new library is named in honour of Dr Karen Guinee, a gifted and compassionate medicine graduate who completed her education and training as a doctor with distinction. 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.

 Ends

 Tá an deis uathúil seo againn anois mar go bhfuilimid ag ullmhú le bogadh as Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin, tar éis breis is leathchéad bliain ar an bhfód.

 Beidh an lá oscailte ar siúl Dé Sathairn, an 25 Iúil idir 11am agus 3pm.

 Iarrtar ar chuairteoirí freisin a gcuid cuimhní cinn a roinnt linn ar an áit ar chuir siad barr feabhais ar a gcuid oideachais agus ina raibh neart spraoi acu chomh maith.

 Is féidir le daoine ar spéis leo teacht ar cuairt agus cuimhneamh ar an bhfoghlaim agus ar an spraoi clárú ar líne roimh ré ag https://www.universityofgalway.ie/alumni-friends/upcomingalumnievents/slan-jameshardimanlibraryopenday/

 Dúirt Leabharlannaí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Monica Crump: “Agus muid ag ullmhú le bogadh ó Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin go dtí Leabharlann nua an Dr Karen Guinee in 2027, tugaimid cuireadh d’iar-mhic léinn agus d’iar-chomhaltaí foirne Ollscoil na Gaillimhe chomh maith le muintir na Gaillimhe teacht chuig Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin den uair dheireanach an 25 Iúil idir 11am agus 3pm.  

“Tar ar cuairt an athuair ar an spota ab ansa leat sa Leabharlann, tabhair chun cuimhne laethanta a chaith tú brabhsáil na seilfeanna agus fág slán le Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin.  Ba bhreá linn dá roinnfeadh sibh bhur gcuimhní cinn linn – na seisiúin staidéir a mhair go dtí amach san oíche, an cairdeas agus na caidrimh ar tháinig bláthú orthu nuair a bhí nótaí lámhscríofa á mbabhtáil, na spriocanna diana, na nóiméid inspioráide, an gáire, an mhoilleadóireacht agus gach eachtra eile a thagann chun cuimhne.

“Bí inár dteannta agus ómós á léiriú againn don leabharlann agus don ról a bhí aici i saol na hollscoile le 53 bliain anuas.”

 Tá an lá oscailte beartaithe agus an Ollscoil ag súil le hoscailt Leabharlann nua an Dr Karen Guinee in 2027. Ainmníodh an leabharlann nua in ómós an Dr Karen Guinee, céimí leighis cumasach agus cineálta a thug faoina cuid oideachais agus oiliúna mar dhochtúir le díograis agus dúthracht. 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.

 Críoch

Researchers have revealed new evidence that a single stem cell therapy treatment can slow the loss of kidney function in adults who have diabetic kidney disease.

The stem cell therapy, ORBCEL-M, was developed by University of Galway spinout company, Orbsen Therapeutics,

The new results come from the EU Horizon 2020-funded NEPHSTROM project, which conducted a clinical trial of this therapy as an intravenous infusion in adults with progressive chronic kidney disease due to type 2 diabetes.

The early-stage trial involved two groups of patients treated with lower and higher doses of ORBCEL-M as well as a group treated with a placebo infusion. The results for these groups confirmed that a single dose of ORBCEL-M was as safe as the placebo infusion and associated with better preservation of kidney function. Patients taking part in the trial were followed closely for 18 months after receiving the therapy.

These promising results could mean more time before kidney failure, more time living independently, and potentially more time before dialysis or transplant becomes necessary for adults with diabetic kidney disease.

The project was completed by an international consortium led by University of Galway-including specialised researchers, medical specialists, cell manufacturing facilities and companies from Ireland, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

The ORBCEL-M cell therapy is a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) preparation manufactured from healthy bone marrow which was discovered and developed by Orbsen Therapeutics, a Galway-based clinical-stage cell therapy company which emerged as a spinout from the University of Galway’s Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI).

The findings from the trial support plans for a larger clinical trial to test whether a single infusion of ORBCEL-M will slow the rate at which kidney function declines in people with diabetic kidney disease and delays the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation. It is the second positive report following a clinical trial of the therapy.

The latest results from the trial can be read in Kidney International Reports here.

Steve Elliman, Chief Scientific Officer of Orbsen Therapeutics, said: “Publication of the first NEPHSTROM clinical report was an important milestone for Orbsen and for the NEPHSTROM consortium. Acceptance of the second clinical report adds further independent peer-reviewed support for the programme.

“Most importantly, we thank the patients who took part in NEPHSTROM. Every clinical advance begins with patients who are willing to participate in carefully controlled research. These are still early studies, and ORBCEL-M must now be tested in a larger clinical trial. Taken together, the NEPHSTROM publications support the case for that next stage of development.”

Matthew Griffin, Professor of Transplant Biology at University of Galway and Consultant Nephrologist at Galway University Hospitals, notes: “While the data are very encouraging, it is important to recognise that the latest results to be published from the NEPHSTROM trial do not prove benefit. Nonetheless, they do strengthen the evidence we need to move toward larger trials. If confirmed in larger studies, that could mean giving people who are at risk of kidney failure due to diabetes more healthy time at home, at work, and with their families.”

Chronic kidney disease affects more than 1 in 10 adults in Ireland and is most commonly caused by type 2 diabetes. It is often a silent condition which can progress for years before a person realises anything is wrong. For people with diabetes whose kidney function is worsening despite the best treatments that can be provided, the future can be stark, including a high risk of needing kidney replacement therapies such as dialysis several times a week or kidney transplantation.

In the past decade, new medicines have been discovered which have improved treatment for diabetic kidney disease. However, these medicines are taken daily or weekly and some patients still progress towards dialysis or transplant.

Orbsen is seeking to test whether a single dose of ORBCEL-M can be added to these medicines to slow the loss of kidney function and keep more people with diabetic kidney disease free of kidney replacement therapy for longer.

Orbsen is now seeking funding to advance manufacturing validation, regulatory preparation and the larger clinical trial required to determine whether ORBCEL-M can become a clinically meaningful disease-modifying therapy for progressive diabetic kidney disease.

Ends

Cross-border research has examined how digital mental health supports can better meet the needs of young people across the island of Ireland amid rising mental health challenges and limited access to services.

The research was developed by the University of Galway and Ulster University through the shared island-funded Atlantic Futures programme, supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Produced as a policy brief, it presents evidence from an Atlantic Futures-hosted all-island policy dialogue event involving policymakers, practitioners, researchers, youth sector representatives and young people.

Findings highlight that trust, simplicity and cultural relevance are critical to engagement. Young people, especially marginalised youth, are more likely to use digital mental health tools that are recommended by trusted organisations, peers or adults; are easy to navigate; and reflect their identities, communities and lived experiences.

The researchers also found that young people use digital tools mainly for light‑touch emotional regulation, not therapy, and want grounding, distraction, positivity, and short check-in's - not long programmes or clinical content.

Additionally, while young people are confident navigating digital spaces, gaps in digital mental health literacy persist largely because the wider digital landscape is fragmented and lacks clear governance, making it difficult to assess the credibility, privacy practices and safety of online platforms, with families further constrained by language, literacy and digital exclusion.A key recommendation is sustained youth participation, highlighting young people stay engaged when treated as equal partners and when they see impact. The briefing calls for long-term, inclusive co-design embedded in policy and service design and development.

Project lead, Dr Carmen Kealy, Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway, said: “Young people are navigating increasing pressures, and digital supports can genuinely help - but only when they are trustworthy, culturally relevant, and easy to use. Our research shows that young people value clarity, representation, and tools that fit naturally into their daily lives. A coordinated, youth‑centred approach across the island is essential to building a digital mental health ecosystem that feels credible, accessible, and supportive for all young people.

Principal Investigator, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, School of Psychology, Ulster University, said: “The briefing forms part of the Atlantic Futures programme, a collaborative all-island initiative supported through the HEA North-South Research Programme under the Shared Island initiative, which seeks to address shared societal challenges through research, innovation and partnership.”The findings conclude that digital mental health supports have significant potential to extend access to care and reduce barriers for young people across the island of Ireland. However, the researchers caution this potential will only be realised when digital solutions are built around trust, cultural relevance, simplicity and meaningful participation.

The policy brief calls on policymakers, service providers, educators, youth organisations and technology developers to work collaboratively to create a more coherent and accessible digital mental health ecosystem.The full policy brief can be read here.

Ends

Osclaíodh taispeántas nua, Iad Siúd a Tháinig Slán: Scéalta ó Stair Institiúidí Thuama agus na hÉireann i Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe. Is é seo an chéad suiteán músaeim atá dírithe go hiomlán ar na hinstitiúidí Máithreacha agus Naíonán agus ar an tionchar a bhí acu ar shochaí na hÉireann. 

Tugann an taispeántas léargas ar an gcaoi ar caitheadh le máithreacha singile agus a bpáistí in Éirinn, agus aird ar leith á tabhairt ar institiúid Máithreacha agus Naíonán Thuama agus na fadhbanna oidhreachta atá fós i gceist dóibh siúd a tháinig slán.

Agus fócas ar leith sa taispeántas ar an gcion atá déanta ag Catherine Corless ar mhaithe le stair na hÉireann, insítear scéalta 18 nduine a tháinig slán ón institiúid trí thaispeántais fuaime agus amhairc. Tá sraith podchraoltaí curtha i dtoll a chéile freisin a dhéanfaidh éascaíocht don phobal eolas domhain a chur ar scéalta iad siúd a tháinig slán. 

Dúirt an staraí Catherine Corless: "Is tionscadal iontach agus ríthábhachtach é seo, cuimhní cinn na ndaoine siúd a tháinig slán as Áras Thuama a bhailiú, scéalta a mbeadh dearmad déanta orthu le himeacht ama murach sin. Foireann dhíograiseach in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe faoi cheannas an Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley atá taobh thiar de Thionscadal Béaloidis Thuama agus cuirfear ar taispeáint anois é i Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe, a bhfuil spás agus am tugtha go fial acu dóibh siúd ar fad a tháinig slán.”

Cruthaíodh an taispeántas i gcomhar le Tionscadal Béaloidis Thuama de chuid Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, atá á stiúradh acu siúd a tháinig slán, faoi cheannas an Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley agus an Dr John Cunningham. Tá fianaise agus déantáin phearsanta eile á mbailiú acu ó 2018 i leith ó dhaoine a tháinig slán ó na hinstitiúidí, óna dteaghlaigh agus ó dhaoine a raibh tionchar díreach ag an stair seo orthu.

Tugtar cuireadh do chuairteoirí blaiseadh a fháil, trí chuntais ó bhéal, grianghraif, cáipéisí agus giuirléidí pearsanta, den taithí a bhí acu siúd a chaith tréimhsí dá saol in institiúid agus den tionchar buan a bhí aige sin ar na glúnta a tháinig ina ndiaidh. 

Is é an taispeántas seo an chéad chomhoibriú idir Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ó comhaontaíodh meabhrán tuisceana nua chun comhoibriú níos dlúithe idir an dá eagraíocht a éascú. 

Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: “Tá sé oiriúnach go mbeidh áit ag Catherine Corless agus acu siúd a tháinig slán as institiúid Máithreachais agus Naíonán Thuama anois taobh le laochra na Gaillimhe inár músaem cathrach. Tá an-áthas orainn a bheith i mbun comhpháirtíochta le Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe ar an tionscadal seo mar go léiríonn sé a thiomanta is atáimid ár n-oidhreacht chultúrtha a shaibhriú trí dhul i bhfeidhm ar an bpobal agus, ar an gcaoi sin, cabhrú linn go léir ceachtanna a fhoghlaim ón tréimhse dhuairc sin inár stair.

“Tá Muintearas agus Meas ar phéire de chroíluachanna na hollscoile, áit a mbraithfidh gach duine go bhfuil fáilte rompu, go bhfuil tacaíocht ar fáil dóibh, go bhfuil ceangal acu leis an bpobal agus go bhfuil luach orthu mar chuid dhílis dár bpobal. Meabhraítear dúinn sa taispeántas tiomnaithe seo nach raibh na luachanna sin ann san am a caitheadh agus léiríonn sé a thábhachtaí atá sé go mbeadh deis ag an bpobal foghlaim faoi scéalta na 18 nduine seo a tháinig slán.”

Áireofar sa taispeántas i Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe portráidí grianghrafadóireachta díobh siúd a tháinig slán, fianaise phearsanta, taifid fuaime mar aon le cáipéisí cartlainne, agus réada, lena n-áirítear mionsamhail de réir scála d’institiúid Máithreacha agus Naíonán Thuama a chruthaigh Catherine Corless, agus dlaoi ghruaige ón scríbhneoir a tháinig slán, J.P. Rodgers. 

Dúirt Stiúrthóir Gníomhach Mhúsaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe, Adam Stoneman: “Tá áthas orainn an taispeántas tábhachtach seo ar institiúid Máithreacha agus Naíonán Thuama, a forbraíodh i ndlúthchomhar le grúpa daoine a tháinig slán trí Thionscadal Béaloidis Thuama, a roinnt leis an bpobal. Tá a bhfuil le rá acu agus a n-eispéiris ríthábhachtach agus muid ag féachaint le teacht ar thuiscint ar an stair chasta seo. Tá músaem in ann a bheith ina ionad machnaimh agus cneasaithe chomh maith le hionad tuisceana, agus is céim thosaigh í an taispeántas seo i dtiomantas fadtéarmach Mhúsaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe chun feasacht agus tuiscint an phobail maidir le stair institiúideach na hÉireann a chothú.”

Beidh an taispeántas ar siúl i Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe ó mhí Iúil go mí Mheán Fómhair 2026 i bhforhalla an mhúsaeim agus tá sé mar aidhm aige cuairteoirí Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta a mhealladh. Tabharfaidh 29 grúpa turasóireachta ó na Stáit Aontaithe cuairt ar Ghaillimh le linn na tréimhse sin go sonrach chun an taispeántas a fheiceáil agus chun foghlaim faoi stair na hÉireann. 

Beidh clár cainteanna poiblí, ceardlann agus taispeántas ag gabháil leis an taispeántas. Tuilleadh eolais: GalwayCityMuseum.ie.

Críoch

A new exhibition, Survivor Stories: Tuam and Ireland's Institutional Past has opened at Galway City Museum, the first dedicated museum installation to focus on Mother and Baby institutions and their impact on Irish society. 

The exhibition provides an insight into Ireland's treatment of single mothers and their children, focusing on the Tuam Mother and Baby institution and the legacy issues still faced by survivors today.

Highlighting Catherine Corless's immense contribution to Irish history, the exhibition tells the stories of 18 survivors of the institution through audio and visual exhibits. An accompanying podcast series has also been created to allow for in-depth, personal engagement with survivors' stories. 

Historian Catherine Corless said: “What a wonderful and vital project this is, to gather the life stories of the Tuam Home Survivors, which otherwise would be forgotten in time. This Tuam Oral History Project, created in University of Galway, by a dedicated team, led by Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, will now be exhibited in the Galway City Museum, who have graciously given space and time for all Survivors.”

The exhibition has been created with University of Galway's survivor-led Tuam Oral History Project, led by Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley and Dr John Cunningham, which has been gathering testimonies and other personal artefacts from institutional survivors, their families and those directly affected by this history since 2018.

Through oral histories, photographs, documents, and personal objects, visitors are invited to engage with first-hand experiences of institutional life and its lasting impact across generations. 

The exhibition is the first collaboration between Galway City Museum and the University of Galway since the agreement of a new memorandum of understanding to facilitate closer collaboration between the two organisations. 

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn said: “It is fitting that Catherine Corless and survivors of the Tuam Mother and Baby institution will now have a place beside heroes of Galway in our city museum. We are delighted to partner with Galway City Museum on this project as it encapsulates our shared commitment to enrich our cultural heritage by truly engaging audiences to help us all learn lessons from our dark past.

“Belonging and Respect are two of our university’s core values where everyone should feel welcomed, supported, connected and valued as an integral part of our community. This dedicated exhibition acts as a powerful reminder of the historical absence of such values and why it is so important that the wider public gets to learn about these 18 survivor life stories.”

The exhibition at Galway City Museum will comprise of photographic portraits of survivors, testimonies, audio alongside archival documents, and objects, including a detailed scale model of the Tuam Mother and Baby institution created by Catherine Corless and a very poignant lock of hair from writer and survivor J.P. Rodgers. 

Acting Director of Galway City Museum, Adam Stoneman said: “We are pleased to share this important exhibition on the Tuam Mother and Baby institution, developed in close collaboration with a group of survivors through the Tuam Oral History Project. Their voices and experiences are vital to understanding this difficult history. Museums can be places of reflection and healing, as well as understanding, and this exhibition marks a first step in a longer-term commitment from Galway City Museum and University of Galway to develop greater public awareness and understanding of Ireland’s institutional histories.”

The exhibition will run at Galway City Museum from July to September 2026 in the museum foyer and aims to engage Irish and international visitors. 29 US tour groups will visit Galway over the period specifically to see the exhibition and learn about Ireland's past. 

A programme of public talks, workshops and screenings will accompany the exhibition. Further information is available at: GalwayCityMuseum.ie.

Ends

The awards are among 182 projects across Europe which have been awarded ERC Proof of Concept grants to explore the commercial or societal potential of their research.

One project, iChatRD, will develop a user-centred clinical decision support system for the diagnosis of rare and inherited metabolic diseases.

The second project, GeIEV, will develop a new hydrogel technology that could significantly improve the delivery of next-generation regenerative medicine for tissue injury.

The European Research Council Proof of Concept scheme is funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation.

iChatRD has been awarded a grant of €150,000 and will run for 18 months. The AI-assisted, fully transparent clinical decision support tool suggests expert-level rare disease diagnoses from unstructured patient descriptions within seconds.

The overall goal of the project is to translate the research prototype into a practical, clinically relevant tool, which is also aligned with regulatory requirements and market needs. The team will develop ChatRD2.0 through best practices in engaged research, working side by side with metabolic disease specialists, paediatricians, and frontline clinicians to ensure the tool is shaped by the people who will actually use it.

The project is led by Professor Ines Thiele and Research Fellow, Dr Cyrille Thinnes from the School of Medicine, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and the Digital Metabolic Twin Centre at the University of Galway.

Dr Cyrille Thinnes, University of Galway, said: “For patients with rare diseases, reaching a diagnosis can take years and involve consultations with a dozen or more physicians. This funding gives us the opportunity to turn ChatRD, currently a research tool, into something clinicians can, and want to, use in their daily practice. Our goal is to put a reliable decision support system in the hands of the doctor who sees a patient on day one, not year five. Crucially, every suggestion ChatRD produces is fully explainable, so the clinician can see exactly why a disease was flagged, which we believe is essential for fostering trust in AI-assisted medicine.”

Professor Ines Thiele, University of Galway, said: “When exploring avenues for translating our fundamental research on digital metabolic twins into patient-focused applications, we kept encountering a major challenge: the richest clinical information exists as free text: the language of a human, not of a computer. ChatRD bridges this gap, by enabling metabolic modelling and natural language work together to suggest candidate diagnoses for inherited metabolic diseases. The ERC Proof of Concept grant now helps us take ChatRD into the real world, by working directly with clinicians to help shorten the diagnostic odyssey that may burden rare disease patients for years.”

The second project, GelEV has been awarded a grant of €150,000 and will run for 18 months. It will focus on the development of a new technology that could significantly improve the delivery of next-generation regenerative medicines for tissue injury. The project aims to validate a novel hydrogel designed to deliver extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny particles secreted by cells, allowing them to work more effectively.

The project is led by principal investigator Dr Meadhbh Brennan and technical lead Dr Hannah Aris from the School of Engineering at University of Galway.

Dr Meadhbh Brennan, School of Engineering, University of Galway, said: “By creating a delivery platform compatible with a wide range of EV therapies, the GelEV ERC proof-of-concept project has the potential to accelerate the development of new treatments for tissue injury indications, while supporting the growing extracellular vesicles therapeutics industry.”

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said: “Many of today's innovations begin with a researcher asking a fundamental question. These 182 projects show that curiosity-driven science and real-world impact go hand in hand. With Proof of Concept funding, ERC researchers can test how their discoveries could become new treatments, technologies, services or solutions that benefit people across Europe.”

Ends

The 2026 EBSCO Solar Grant programme is an annual initiative which supports libraries and educational institutions pursuing solar energy projects that reduce environmental impact, lower operating costs and create new opportunities for sustainability education and community engagement.

University of Galway is among five libraries and academic institutions across three continents to receive funding as part of the 2026 EBSCO Solar Grant programme to advance renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. The funding will offset the cost of solar panel installation.

The installation of solar panels in the Dr Karen Guinee Library builds on University-wide progress that has already seen energy efficiency improve by more than 50% across campus. It also supports the ambitions of the University's Sustainability Strategy 2026–2030, which sets out a vision for a carbon-neutral, nature-positive and healthy university.

University of Galway has been recognised nationally and internationally for its sustainability leadership, including ranked #1 in Ireland in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings for the fifth year, as well as top 3 in the EU and top 100 in the world. The University has also renewed its AASHE STARS Gold rating for sustainability.

Monica Crump, University Librarian, said: “University of Galway has been recognised as an SDG Ambassador by the Irish government due to our commitment to sustainability and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. That commitment has been strongly reflected in the design of our new library - the Dr Karen Guinee Library.  

 “We are delighted to have the support of EBSCO Information Services through the EBSCO Solar grant to ensure solar energy is a key component of the sustainability of our new building. We look forward to inspiring our students with the sustainability story of the Dr Karen Guinee Library when we open in 2027.”

The addition of solar energy at the Dr Karen Guinee Library will support the University’s ambitious environmental goals and help power a next-generation learning and research space that will serve students, faculty and the wider community for decades to come.

EBSCO is a leading provider of research databases, e-journal and e-package subscription management, book collection development and acquisition management, and a major provider of library technology, e-books and clinical decision solutions.

Other recipients to share in the total funding package of $300,000 are Black River Falls Public Library in Black River Falls, Wisconsin; Cornwall Public Library in Cornwall, New York; Newburgh Chandler Public Library in Newburgh, Indiana; and Lupane State University in Lupane, Zimbabwe.

 Ends

Professor Whay takes on the role on a permanent basis having served in an interim position since September 2024.

The appointment was confirmed by the University’s Governing Authority - Údarás na hOllscoile.

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “Professor Whay brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of Deputy President and Registrar, along with a deep commitment to University of Galway’s mission and values, having acted in an Interim capacity since September 2024.

“Professor Whay has a distinguished academic record as a researcher and educator and having served previously as Vice President International, her understanding of the higher education landscape at home and abroad will be of great benefit.”

Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Whay, said: “It is a genuine privilege to be appointed as Deputy President and Registrar here at University of Galway. I look forward to the opportunities as well as the challenges ahead as we work to deliver on our strategy ‘Of Galway – for the World’. I’m absolutely committed to supporting our academics and ensuring the highest standards for our students, as well as being instrumental in the continuing development of our university for the public good.”   

Bio of Professor Whay

As Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Whay is a member of the University Management Team and Academic Council; deputises for the President in his absence; and has overarching responsibility for academic strategy and quality, academic promotions, complex organisational transformation projects and is the University’s sustainability champion. 

Professor Becky Whay joined University of Galway in 2019 when appointed Vice-President International. In May 2024, she was reappointed to that role for a second term, with much of the focus on leading out on our International Strategy, which is central to the University of Galway Strategy 2030 and on the second phase of the European University Alliance- ENLIGHT. 

In September 2024, Professor Whay was appointed to the role of Deputy President and Registrar on an interim basis.  In this interim role Professor Whay has provided continuity through a period of significant change, has provided leadership for a number of complex projects and has set the direction for the ongoing delivery of flagship successes including maintaining the university’s leading position in sustainability, the building of the new Dr Karen Guinee Library and establishing an Organisational Transformation Office.

Professor Becky Whay previously worked at the University of Bristol, which is part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities and is ranked 57^th in the world under the QS World Rankings and 5^th in the UK for Research. She also held the post of Director of Internationalisation for the Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Bristol, a large, research-intensive faculty supporting the University’s medical, dental and veterinary schools. At the same time, she shared the Head of School responsibilities for Bristol Veterinary School and led the School through a period of substantial change culminating in a successful bid for American Veterinary Medical Association accreditation.

Professor Whay has an international reputation for her research into dairy cattle and working equine welfare and works in areas of the world where human animal interdependency is critical to family livelihoods. She was the inaugural President of the International Society for the Study of Lameness in Ruminants and has Chaired the Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association. In 2015, she was recipient of the CEVA Farm Animal Welfare of the Year award.

Ends

Glacann an tOllamh Whay leis an ról go buan tar éis di a bheith ag feidhmiú ar bhonn eatramhach ó Mheán Fómhair 2024.

Dheimhnigh Údarás na hOllscoile an ceapachán inné.

Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: “Bhí an tOllamh Whay ag gníomhú sa ról seo i gcáil eatramhach ó Mheán Fómhair 2024 agus i ngeall air sin tá an-tuiscint agus taithí aici a oirfidh don ról seo, mar aon le tiomantas láidir do mhisean agus do luachanna Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.

"Tá iomrá ar an Ollamh Whay sa saol acadúil, mar thaighdeoir agus mar oide araon agus mar gheall ar an tréimhse atá caite aici mar Leas-Uachtarán Idirnáisiúnta roimhe seo, beidh an tuiscint atá aici ar thírdhreach an ardoideachais in Éirinn agus thar lear ina buntáiste mór.”

Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí, an tOllamh Whay: “Is mór an phribhléid dom é a bheith ceaptha mar Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí anseo in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Táim ag tnúth leis na deiseanna chomh maith leis na dúshláin atá romhainn agus muid ag obair chun ár straitéis ‘Lonnaithe i nGaillimh, ag freastal ar an Domhan Mór’ a chur i gcrích. Táim go hiomlán tiomanta tacaíocht a thabhairt don fhoireann acadúil agus na caighdeáin is airde a chinntiú dár gcuid mac léinn, chomh maith le ról lárnach a ghlacadh i bhforbairt leanúnach na hollscoile ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.”     

Beathaisnéis an Ollaimh Whay

Mar Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí, tá an tOllamh Whay ina ball d’Fhoireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile agus den Chomhairle Acadúil; déanann sí ionadaíocht thar ceann an Uachtaráin nuair a bhíonn sé as láthair; agus tá freagracht fhoriomlán uirthi as an straitéis acadúil agus as feabhas acadúil, as arduithe céime acadúla, as tionscadail claochlaithe eagraíochta chasta agus is í curadh inbhuanaitheachta na hOllscoile í. 

Thosaigh an tOllamh Becky Whay ag obair in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe sa bhliain 2019 nuair a ceapadh ina Leas-Uachtarán: Idirnáisiúnta í. I mí na Bealtaine 2024, athcheapadh í sa ról sin don dara téarma, agus díríodh den chuid is mó ar an Straitéis Idirnáisiúnta a stiúradh, atá lárnach i Straitéis Ollscoil na Gaillimhe 2030, agus ar an dara céim den Líonra Ollscoileanna Eorpacha – ENLIGHT. 

I Meán Fómhair 2024, ceapadh an tOllamh Whay ina hUachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí ar bhonn eatramhach.  Sa ról eatramhach seo, thug an tOllamh Whay leanúnachas le linn tréimhse ina raibh athruithe suntasacha ar bun, bhí sí i gceannas ar roinnt tionscadal casta agus leag sí amach an treo fadtéarmach do mhórthionscnaimh ar leith. Ina measc siúd tá seasamh ceannródaíoch na hollscoile san inbhuanaitheacht a choinneáil, Leabharlann nua an Dr Karen Guinee a thógáil agus an Oifig do Chlaochlú Eagraíochta a bhunú.

D’oibrigh an tOllamh Becky Whay in Ollscoil Bhriostó roimhe seo, ollscoil atá mar chuid de Ghrúpa ollscoileanna clúiteacha Russell agus atá sa 57^ú háit ar domhan de réir Ranguithe QS an Domhain agus sa 5^ú háit sa Ríocht Aontaithe le haghaidh Taighde. Bhí post aici freisin mar Stiúrthóir Idirnáisiúnaithe i nDámh na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte in Ollscoil Bhriostó, dámh mhór, dhiantaighde a chuimsíonn scoileanna leighis, fiaclóireachta agus tréidliachta na hOllscoile. Ag an am céanna, roinn sí freagrachtaí an Chinn Scoile i Scoil Tréidliachta Bhriostó agus threoraigh sí an Scoil trí thréimhse inar tharla athruithe móra agus inar éirigh leo creidiúnú a bhaint amach le Veterinary Medical Association Mheiriceá.

Tá cáil idirnáisiúnta ar an Ollamh Whay as a cuid taighde ar eallach déiríochta agus ar leas eachaí oibre agus oibríonn sí i limistéir den domhan ina bhfuil idirspleáchas ainmhithe daonna ríthábhachtach don tslí mhaireachtála a bhíonn ag teaghlaigh. Bhí sí ina céad Uachtarán ar an International Society for the Study of Lameness in Ruminants agus bhí sí ina Cathaoirleach ar an Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association. In 2015, bronnadh gradam CEVA uirthi as Leas Ainmhithe Feirme.

Críoch

 The report was carried out by University of Galway and launched today (Thursday June 25^th) at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in Dublin.

 The review states that reform of disability rights is necessary to align Irish law with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

 The Disability Act 2005 at 21: Reflecting, Reforming, Reimagining was produced by Professor Shivaun Quinlivan and Dr Charles O’Mahony at University of Galway’s School of Law, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Communicating Europe Initiative.

 Drawing on a national survey, stakeholder engagement, and critical legal analysis, the report concludes that the Disability Act 2005 reflects an approach focused more on administrative and policy responsibilities than on legally enforceable rights.

 The report states that many of the Act’s core provisions remain constrained by weak enforcement mechanisms, limited accountability and the absence of effective remedies where statutory obligations are not fulfilled.

 It also identifies a number of key reform priorities including:

• Transforming the Assessment of Need process for disabled people into an enforceable entitlement framework, creating clearer rights to services and supports and stronger accountability for their delivery


• Strengthening accessibility obligations


• Updating protections relating to genetic testing and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence


• Embedding the principles of the UN CRPD directly into Irish law

 Professor Shivaun Quinlivan, University of Galway School of Law and one of the authors of the report, said: “The only enforceable entitlement in the the Assessment of Need process, the assessment itself, has failed to deliver the transformation promised in 2005. While the legislation creates a right to assess need, it does not create a corresponding enforceable right to receive the services identified. The result is a framework that frequently records unmet need without remedying it. Long waiting times, resource constraints, litigation, and persistent implementation failures have significantly weakened confidence in the system.

 “The Programme for Government commitment to reform reflects an acknowledgement that the current framework has not delivered for many disabled people and their families. The question now is not whether reform is necessary, but whether Ireland is prepared to move from a system of administrative discretion for the HSE to one of enforceable rights and accountability consistent with the United Nations approach/standards.”

 Dr Charles O’Mahony said: “What struck us most throughout this project was not just the scale of frustration with the Disability Act 2005, but the extraordinary clarity, insight, and determination of disabled people and their families about what needs to change. Across the research, the national survey and conference, people spoke powerfully about the gap between rights promised and rights realised, between policy commitments and what living in Ireland as a disabled person is like. Participants in the research spoke with hope, ambition, and a vision for a more inclusive and fair Ireland.”

 The launch comes at a pivotal moment as a nationwide consultation on the future of the Disability Act 2005 is being conducted by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, marking the first comprehensive review of the legislation since its enactment more than twenty years ago. It runs until September 9^th.

 The researchers hope the report will serve as a practical resource for disabled people, Disabled Persons’ Organisations, representative bodies, advocates, policymakers, and public bodies preparing submissions to the Government consultation process. 

 Professor Quinlivan said: “The consultation recently announced by Government is an important first step. However, the international evidence and stakeholder feedback gathered through this research project tells us that meaningful reform requires disabled people not simply to be consulted, but to be actively involved in shaping, leading, monitoring, and evaluating the reform process itself.”

 See here for information on the Government consultation process.

 The full report The Disability Act 2005 at 21: Reflecting, Reforming, Reimagining is available here.

 Ends

Are honey bees foraging in your garden? Do you have beehives in or around Galway city? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, or you know of where there are beehives near you, then the team would love to hear from you!

There are over 100 different bee species in Ireland with one of those being the honey bee. They are relatively smaller than other bee species and not as ‘fluffy’ as a bumblebee. People are familiar with honey bees being kept in hives by beekeepers but honey bees are a wild species too. 

More importantly, native wild honey bees are now considered as endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but wild colonies are a frequent sight in Ireland where they live in cavities, in trees, roofs or walls.

Professor Grace McCormack, Galway Honey Bee Research Centre at University of Galway, said: “In Co Galway, to date, we have recorded more than 190 wild colonies, although we know there are likely to be many more.

“However, there is a large gap in our knowledge – we do not know how the native wild honey bee and other wild pollinators are affected by managed bees, which live in beehives. We don’t know because we don’t know how many beekeepers there are or where their hives are.”

University of Galway has 12 hives in Galway city and is keen to ensure that its beekeeping is sustainable, not adversely impacting wild honey bees, other beekeepers, or other bee species.

To better understand how many hives would be a sustainable number, the research team are exploring what other hives might be in the area and where its bees, and other bees, are getting their food.

The research team would love to hear from anyone who has any information on:

• Honey bee apiaries, hives or nest sightings in the area


• Honey bees feeding on pollinator friendly plants in your gardens or area

Professor McCormack added: “The native Irish honey bee, also known as the black bee, is uniquely adapted to Ireland’s climate. However, it is currently under threat from non-native imports, climate change, invasive species and a lack of resources such as food and nesting space.

“This research is important as it will provide a clearer understanding of honey bee and pollinator activity in Galway, to help us develop conservation measures and sustainable management strategies for apiaries that can be applied within Galway and nationally.”

All information provided will be kept confidential.

To submit sightings and queries, please contact Pamela Madigan at P.Madigan1@universityofgalway.ie  or 087 4474811 or Professor Grace McCormack at grace.mccormack@universityofgalway.ie or 086 0227227.

Ends

University of Galway has cemented its position as a global leader on sustainability impact, retaining its place as No.1 in Ireland, third in the European Union and top 100 in the world for the fifth year in a row.

 The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 rank University of Galway ahead of all the universities in Ireland for performance on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 More than 1,600 institutions from 116 countries are ranked in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.

 It placed the University at 68^th in the world and 3rd in the EU.

 University of Galway has been Ireland's leading university for sustainability for five years. To mark the achievement and as Ireland prepares to take over the Presidency of the European Union next week, the University launched its new Sustainability Strategy 2026-2030, setting out the next phase of its sustainability ambitions, at a special meeting of the ENLIGHT European University Alliance in Galway.

 Professor Becky Whay, University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, said: “At University of Galway, sustainability is central to our purpose and identity. It shapes how we teach, learn, research, operate and engage. We aim to lead the transition to a sustainable future and foster the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges. The University of Galway Sustainability Strategy 2026-2030 builds on a decade of institutional commitment and leadership, setting a renewed direction for a carbon-neutral, nature-positive and healthy university with a focus on education for sustainable development. It reflects our belief that universities have both the capacity and the responsibility to lead transformative change for people and planet.”

 Dr Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, said: “As we launch our third sustainability strategy, we are very proud to once again be ranked as Ireland’s top university for performance on the Sustainable Development Goals. As recognised in SDG 17, partnership for the goals, we will only achieve our sustainability objectives by working closely with our partners on campus, in our city and across our region. I would like to thank our 100-person Community University Sustainability Partnership for developing the new strategy and for driving our sustainability efforts for the past 11 years.”

 The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 recognise University of Galway for particularly strongly performance on Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12), where it is ranked 8th in the world. Other strengths are 23rd for Partnerships for the Goals (SDG17), 48th for Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3) and 58th for Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG6).

 The new Sustainability Strategy at University of Galway sets out an ambitious vision for a carbon-neutral, nature-positive and healthy campus, underpinned by a Learn-Live-Lead model, connecting education, research and operations to real-world impact.

 There are 10 areas of focus in the strategy: research and innovation, teaching, learning and assessment, energy and buildings, nature and ecosystems, procurement, travel, circular economy, health and wellbeing, engagement and leadership, and governance and reporting.

Key targets and actions include:

• Embedding sustainability competencies in all educational programmes at the University

• Achieving Green Lab certification for all labs on campus

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and moving ambitiously towards carbon neutrality

• Securing Gold in the NTA Smarter Travel Mark

• Implementing a new biodiversity action plan for a nature positive campus

• Building on the successful elimination of single-use cups, removing remaining single-use plastic catering items

• Achieving Platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS)

 The Sustainability Strategy 2026-2030 is available at www.universityofgalway.ie/sustainability/strategy

 Ends

The new Institute will forge next-generation collaborations between art and science, and research, policy, and industry - working across all disciplines in the University from life science to business and law, from engineering to the natural sciences.

As AI reshapes the way we interact with all sectors of society, the Institute for Creativity celebrates the University’s legacy as an important partner in the creative ecosystem regionally and nationally and puts artistic intelligence to the fore in developing alternative solutions to the world’s most complex problems.

The new Institute will support and enhance research already underway in the University while driving new projects at the intersection of creativity and technology that are rooted in arts-based practice.

Key areas of focus for the Institute for Creativity

• Lead research in the role of art and culture in fostering and driving sustainable development in rural and remote areas, alongside working with Galway’s globally renowned creative sector.


• Rethink and revalue the important relationship between art and culture, and health and wellbeing.


• Conduct experimental research to promote cultural and linguistic diversity as a competitive advantage for Ireland and Europe. 

The Institute for Creativity will also be home to University of Galway’s popular 'Arts in Action' programme, which welcomes students and staff, and visitors from outside the university to engage with a broad and varied programme of artistic events.

The formal launch took place as part of the 2026 International Forum on Artistic Research, the largest-ever conference on practice-based artistic research, bringing together more than 300 international practitioners, scholars, researchers and policymakers at University of Galway from June 23-26. The Forum is part of The Society for Artistic Research (SAR), a network that promotes and disseminates artistic research practices and findings across disciplines and contexts. 

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn said: “I am delighted to officially launch our new Institute for Creativity as part of this important conference on practice-based artistic research. Galway’s vibrant creative sector is globally connected - empowered by contemporary creative practice and innovative technologies. Our university is at the heart of this activity, exploring the links between creativity, teaching, research, and the wider world, while being rooted in the local community to create spaces where ideas can thrive.

“Creativity, Culture and Society, Transformative Data and AI, and Innovation for Health are three key pillars in our strategic plan, Of Galway, For the World. These pillars reflect and support the vision of the Institute for Creativity. We will work together to ensure the extraordinary talent, creativity and opportunity we have here will continue to enable close collaboration on research and student engagement in the creative arts.”

Professor Florian Schneider, Director of the Institute for Creativity said: “The future of innovation lies at the intersection of creativity and technology. But Creativity is not just for the creative arts: the Institute will research creativity as a general condition that reshapes the manifold relationships across all faculties of knowledge.

“Unlocking this creative potential is particularly urgent for Galway and for the West of Ireland as a creative hub, and equally significant at national and European levels.”

Professor Rebecca Braun, Executive Dean, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, said: “The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies is delighted to be home to the new Institute for Creativity, supported by its thriving research community. An arts degree provides a solid foundation for creativity in many areas of life well beyond the creative arts yet arts and culture, heritage and creativity can play a key role in facilitating and driving new collaborations by bringing people together that would not otherwise meet.

“In a world rocked by social and political unrest, and a digital revolution, we need cross-disciplinary, collaborative research that cuts across sectors, generations and disciplines. The Institute for Creativity will be a beacon for collaborative research and innovation, and societal impact at local, national and international levels for the University of Galway.”

Ends

University of Galway will host a four-day exhibition exploring daily life in Gaza through personal testimony, photography, video, letters and children's artwork.

The exhibition centres on the experiences of Palestinian entrepreneur, writer and public speaker Shirene Yaseen, whose family remains in Gaza.

The Lived Experience of Gaza runs from Wednesday July 1^st to Saturday July 4^th from 9am to 6pm in An Dánlann, the University of Galway Art Gallery in the Quadrangle.

Shirene Yaseen will travel from her base in Doha, Qatar, to open the exhibition and deliver a special address in the Michael D Higgins Auditorium in the Quadrangle of the University on Friday July 3^rd at 10am, sharing her family's experience of survival and displacement. The event will be followed by a peace panel exploring what institutional protection means for human dignity and what its absence costs.

Through personal accounts and visual materials, the exhibition documents the realities of displacement, disrupted education, limited access to healthcare and the challenges facing families living amid the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. It asks whether the silence since the ceasefire reflects the actual situation in Palestine, or whether the world has simply stopped paying attention.

This event is part of the Thinking Beyond thought leadership series hosted by the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway. Admission is free and please register here. Funding for the project was secured through the University of Galway Sustainability Engagement Fund.

Shirene was five years old in 2000 when she first witnessed someone being killed. She has lived through more than seven wars since. Her story is not one that began in October 2023, it is the story of a lifetime. Since the most recent conflict began, Shirene’s family have been displaced nearly 20 times. They continue to live without functioning healthcare, schools, safety, and certainty of where they will sleep. Shirene left Gaza and cannot go back, and her family cannot leave.

Shirene Yaseen said: "Gaza has become unliveable, but the world has moved on. I carry a deep helplessness because I left and they cannot. I want people to understand that this is not over. My family is fighting to survive every day, and they deserve to be seen."

Sophie Sweeney, Lecturer at the University of Galway and organiser of the exhibition, said: “There is a world of difference between following a conflict in the news and hearing directly from someone living it. When I met Shirene, I knew this story had to come to Ireland. We have a long tradition of standing with displaced communities, and this felt like something our university and city should be part of.”

Among the stories featured in the exhibition is that of Shirene's sister, who gave birth on a staircase in the dark without medical assistance. The destruction of schools has left Shirene's nieces and nephews without access to education, and her family no longer have a home to return to and have been forced to move repeatedly, carrying only what they can.

Since the ceasefire, Gaza has largely fallen out of the headlines. Yet many of the institutions that people depend on for healthcare, education, safety and justice remain severely damaged or non-functioning.  

Organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals interested in supporting the exhibition through sponsorship, promotion, volunteering or related activities are invited to contact Sophie Sweeney at sophie.sweeney@universityofgalway.ie

For further information visit Thinking Beyond - Lived Experience of Gaza

Ends

The Uni4U programme is outreach initiative led by the University's Access Centre that gives primary school pupils an introduction to university life and the opportunities that higher education can offer.

Pupils from six schools in Galway city took part - Radharc na Mara, Scoil Bhríde, Scoil Chroí Íosa, Merlin Woods, Mercy Primary School and Scoil San Phroinsias.

Over a six-week period, they visited the University campus one day each week to participate in workshops delivered by University staff and external partners. Activities included economics, engineering, chemistry, philosophy, law, zoology, palaeontology, computer coding, broadcasting with Flirt FM, art, careers and sport. The students also took part in campus tours and visits to the Computer Museum and the Mincéirs Archive in the University Library.

This year marked the first participation in Uni4U by pupils from Scoil San Phroinsias in Tirellan Heights.

Louise Duane, teacher at Scoil San Phroinsias, said: “The Uni4U programme has been extremely beneficial for our pupils. The engaging, hands-on activities provided valuable insights into a range of disciplines and gave the children a broader perspective on college life and future career opportunities."

Speaking at the event, Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar, University of Galway, said: "Creating pathways to higher education begins long before a student submits a university application. Through Uni4U, University of Galway is helping young people to engage with higher education from an early age, building aspirations, confidence and a sense of belonging.

“As a university with a strong civic mission, we work in partnership with schools and communities to broaden access to educational opportunity. Uni4U is a powerful example of that commitment in action."

Throughout the programme, the pupils worked closely with Uni4U mentors, who are current University of Galway students involved with the Access Centre through disability support services, Access Programmes and the University's care-experienced support service.

The celebration brought together pupils, parents, teachers, mentors and University staff. During the celebration, sixth-class pupils shared reflections on their experiences and what they learned during their time on campus.

Each sixth-class pupil received a Uni4U certificate and hoodie in recognition of their achievements and participation.

Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Academic Manager, for University of Galway’s Access Centre, said: "Over the past six weeks, pupils have embraced every opportunity to learn, explore and try something new. Their enthusiasm, curiosity and confidence have made the programme a pleasure to deliver. Uni4U is about helping young people feel that they belong in a university environment, and we hope the experience has inspired them to think positively about their future."

For more than 25 years, Uni4U has formed part of University of Galway's commitment to widening participation in higher education. Through hands-on learning experiences and regular engagement with staff and students, the programme encourages young people to explore future education pathways and experience university life in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Ends

In its pre-budget submission, presented to Minister Lawless on 15 June and sent to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Ministers Chambers and Burke, the IUA is therefore calling for:

• €190m annual increase in Core Grant funding to tackle under-investment and meet unavoidable cost increases in 2027;


• €250m over 5 years in capital spending to upgrade universities’ digital Infrastructure, to provide teaching and research at the cutting edge of AI;


• €475m over 4 years in capital spending to Decarbonisation our university estate and create fully sustainable campuses;


• The unlocking of the National Training Fund (now almost €2bn) to allow universities to provide the lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling Ireland needs.

Paul Johnston, Director General of the IUA said:

“These are big numbers, but there are huge opportunities here, which we risk missing. Ireland is rightly proud to have one of the highest percentages of third level educated citizens in the world. This is a necessity, not a luxury. Ireland’s only natural resource is its people. And highly educated and skilled workers and citizens are at the core of Ireland’s future. Budget 2027 is thus the time for Government to invest in our leading universities, to allow them to meet their full potential in both teaching and research, to ensure that our graduates continue to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society.

“Government has acknowledged a €307m annual underfund in higher education, and Budget 2027 is the time to show decisive progress in their commitment to address it. There is a clear choice on Budget day: act decisively to close the funding gap, supporting students of all ages, or risk eroding the capacity, quality and competitiveness of our third-level sector.

“An increase in the Core Funding grant of €190m will be an important step, addressing legacy funding deficits across the sector and will support the sector in continuing to cater for increased enrolments arising from demographic growth. This will support an additional 550 academic posts, having an immediate impact on not only the quality of teaching, learning and research, but also on student experience.

“Investment in digital infrastructure and decarbonisation will allow universities to provide students the rapidly evolving skills they need to thrive, but also to keep pace with our obligations under the Climate Action Plan.

“Technology is changing what education looks like in real time. We need to accelerate the shift towards lifelong learning, up-skilling and re-skilling. Unlocking the National Training Fund (NTF) is absolutely crucial to allow universities to respond proactively to the rapidly changing needs of employers, businesses and students. IBEC and ISME are making similar demands of government.

“Ireland’s universities are known worldwide for the quality of teaching, research, and that of our graduates. We cannot take this for granted, and we cannot maintain these standards without proper investment and support. Last year’s budget saw welcome capital investment in new infrastructure for research. But infrastructure (human as well as physical) is needed to keep our universities at the cutting edge of teaching and research, to the benefit of Irish society and the economy. The higher education sector has been waiting too long for this investment, and Budget 2027 is the right time to do so.”

Ends

A new healthcare innovation that aims to predict which concussion patients are most at risk of prolonged recovery has been unveiled at the 2026 BioInnovate Ireland Symposium in Galway.

Developed during the BioInnovate Ireland programme at University of Galway, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, BrainForecast is an AI-powered digital health solution designed to address one of the most significant challenges in concussion care: identifying which patients with mild traumatic brain injury are likely to develop persistent symptoms and require additional support.

The innovation was presented by Conor Connolly and Ciaran O'Sullivan, members of the BrainForecast team as part of the annual BioInnovate Symposium.  

Public awareness of traumatic brain injury has grown significantly in recent years, particularly through research exploring the long-term impacts of concussion and the links between repetitive head injuries and chronic neurological conditions. However, while sports-related injuries often dominate headlines, the majority of mild traumatic brain injuries occur outside organised sport and affect people of all ages.

Conor Connolly, current BioInnovate Fellow said: “Following extensive engagement with clinicians, researchers and international experts, we identified a critical challenge in current care pathways: while most patients recover fully, approximately one in three will experience Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms, affecting their quality of life for months or even years. The goal is to identify high-risk patients earlier, support clinical decision-making and enable more personalised rehabilitation strategies.”

BioInnovate is supported under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.

This year marks the 15^th year of BioInnovate, an internationally recognised needs-led healthcare innovation programme that contributes to the development of new healthcare technologies, companies and clinical solutions in Ireland and internationally.

Dr Sinéad Walsh, Programme Director of BioInnovate Ireland, University of Galway, said: “The BioInnovate process begins by identifying unmet clinical needs and empowering multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions that can transform patient care. BrainForecast is a powerful example of this in action. We congratulate all the Fellows on their remarkable progress and acknowledge the clinical champions, mentors, and all those who have supported and guided them on their journey so far."

BrainForecast is one of several innovations presented by the BioInnovate Class of 2026 during the symposium.

The projects reflect the breadth of unmet healthcare needs identified through BioInnovate's clinical immersion process, ranging from improving fluid management for heart failure patients and enhancing ostomy care, to reducing postoperative scar tissue formation following knee replacement surgery to improve range of motion and reduce joint stiffness.

The symposium theme, From Patient Data to Better Care: Scaling AI in Health Systems, brought together clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and healthcare innovators to explore how emerging technologies are transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Ends

The ceremonies celebrated academic achievement across a broad range of disciplines and marked the culmination of years of study and research for graduates and their families.

The largest cohort was the 182 medical students who were awarded an Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO).

During the conferring ceremony, nine graduates were awarded a total of 15 Final Medical Medals by the University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Speaking at the ceremonies, President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “Graduation is one of the most meaningful moments in the university year. It reflects not only the dedication and resilience of our students, but also the commitment of their families and our staff who have supported them throughout their studies. As they move forward, I wish them every success as they take the next steps in their careers and lives.”

Ends

 Dr Mary Harney, a human rights defender and advocate, earned her PhD studying with the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

Dr Harney said: “It is an absolute milestone. It’s more than that. All I have ever wanted in my life is education. To me it’s the most important thing in the world.

“To achieve it at this stage - the final part of the jigsaw puzzle… I started my BA when I was 42, I am 77 now. I have come all this way. I’ve got two masters, an honorary Master in Phil and now the PhD. Now for me, I’d like to say the circle has been complete, but I think there is more. I am hungry for more but I do not know what that more is, yet.

Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar of University of Galway, officiated at the conferring ceremony and said: “It is a privilege to share a stage and, on behalf of University of Galway, to bestow a doctorate on Mary Harney. She is an inspiration to all of us in the university and a remarkable symbol of the value of education.”

Dr Maeve O’Rourke, Senior Lecturer in the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Dr Harney’s PhD supervisor said: “We are so proud of Mary’s achievement. She is an inspiration to all of us in the Irish Centre for Human Rights and to human rights defenders globally.”

Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway, said: “Mary completed a brilliant PhD thesis on human rights movement lawyering, following on from a first class honours LLM degree in International Human Rights Law. Her remarkable story, and her combination of scholarship and activism, reflects the very best of what human rights education is about in today's troubled world.”

            Asked whether she had any advice for survivors or advocates, Dr Harney said: “Find a support group. If there isn’t one already out there, create one. The power of meeting with disenfranchised people and becoming part of that group as opposed to being apart from it, I think that is one of the most important things. We cannot support just by waving flags and protesting. We have to get out boots on the ground and work together with the people that are going through this very traumatic time in our world and we have to have solidarity on that. We cannot do it if we are all divided.”

Dr Harney’s doctoral thesis was on the topic: "Towards Best Practices in the Pedagogy of Human Rights Clinics: Movement Lawyering, its Emotional Impacts on Students and the Question of Teaching Resilience".

Described by colleagues in the Irish Centre for Human Rights as the “resister in chief” and a renowned human rights activist and student, Dr Harney holds a BA in Human Ecology and an Honorary Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the College of the Atlantic in Maine, USA. She also has two postgraduate degrees from University of Galway: an MA in Irish Studies and an LLM in International Human Rights.

Dr Mary Harney was born in Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, in Cork. Her inspirational life story is featured in the award winning documentary "Testimony’ (2025), which follows the lives of various Irish citizens who were incarcerated in Ireland’s notorious institutions for unmarried women and their children. Testimony was the recipient of the 2025 ICCL Human Rights Film Award.

The ceremony took place at University of Galway's 2026 Summer Conferring, where more than 400 students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates including 105 new Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates. 

Ends

 The two-day event brings together stakeholders from practice, policy, research and academic communities, particularly those working in youth work, child protection and welfare, community development, and education sectors to focus on genuine power sharing with children and young people.

 Galway-based Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., said: “I am delighted to open this important international conference on youth participation. Children and young people have a right to be heard and to have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. This conference provides an invaluable opportunity to share ideas and learn from national and international experience on how we can move beyond consultation towards genuine partnership with young people. By empowering young people to contribute to policy, research and practice, we can build more inclusive, responsive and sustainable communities for the future.”

Professor John Canavan, Chair of UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre at University of Galway, said: “The conference recognises young people as key stakeholders in a global world undergoing huge and rapid transformation – in the not distant future, they will either benefit from, or suffer the consequences of social and political choices being made now. It is critical that they are included in these decision-making processes.”

 A keynote speaker at the conference, Raphael Denis, a Tanzanian youth participation practitioner at Citizens for Change, said: “Too many systems still treat young people as voices to be heard, rather than partners in shaping change. The shift we need is not just more participation, but more power; trusting young people as co-researchers and co-producers of knowledge. It’s time for this shift to be made more practical, and this conference is a step towards that direction.”

 The two-day conference, under the heading - Shifting Power: New Frontiers in Youth Participation – takes place at University of Galway on June 11th and 12^th.

 This year’s theme reflects the growing global emphasis for children and young people to participate in decisions that affect their lives and it also recognises Ireland’s place among the leading countries on child and youth consultation and engagement, as noted by the OECD.

 Among the specially curated events is “From Talk to Track”, a live music lab hosted by Kabin Crew Teens, the youth-led creative hub based in Knocknaheeny, Cork. They will deliver a live youth-led songwriting, recording, and performance process in response to the themes and insights from the conference with the aim of creatively translating conference learning, exploring themes such as power-sharing, participation, equity, inclusion, and the role of adult allies through music and collaborative creativity.

 The conference will also showcase national and international experiences from a range of participation structures including youth councils, advisory groups, consultation bodies, co-produced and participatory action research initiatives across a range of educational, youth work and child welfare settings.

 Participants will be invited to identify practical pathways for impact within their own professional contexts.

 Key insights and participant perspectives gathered will be disseminated and used to inform future engagement with policymakers, practitioners, and other key audiences, supporting the advancement of more effective and inclusive youth participation strategies. 

 Ends

The event will showcase a wide range of part-time and flexible study opportunities, including Microcreds and Springboard+, designed to help professionals upskill, reskill and advance their careers in today’s rapidly evolving employment market.

Hosted by the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, the information evening takes place on Wednesday, June 17^th from 5.30pm-7.30pm in the Orbsen Building on the University’s south campus.

One of the featured talks will explore the impact of AI on the future of work and employment trends, offering valuable insights into the changing skills landscape and emerging career opportunities.

Attendees will meet course representatives and learn more about part-time courses across a range of high-demand sectors, including Business and Management, Science and Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Languages, and pre-university courses.

The event will also introduce the University’s newly developed Diploma Series in Advanced Manufacturing. These interdisciplinary courses are tailored for professionals from science and engineering backgrounds, particularly those working in MedTech and engineering sectors. Focused on digitalisation, sustainability and smart manufacturing, the courses are designed to align with evolving industry needs and future workforce demands.

Nuala McGuinn, Director of the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, University of Galway, said: “As skills needs continue to evolve across many sectors, our University is committed to offering relevant, high-quality part-time courses that support lifelong learning and equip individuals and employers with the expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

“This information evening provides an excellent opportunity for adult learners to explore flexible learning pathways that can help them advance their careers and respond to changing workplace demands.”

The University’s growing portfolio of Micro-credentials will also be on show - short, flexible, accredited courses designed to deliver targeted, industry-relevant skills and knowledge in a focused timeframe. Developed in response to industry needs, these courses support professional development and career progression while allowing learners to balance study with work and personal commitments. An 80% fee subsidy is currently available for selected micro-credentials.

Information will also be available on Springboard+ opportunities for 2026/27, including fully funded courses for unemployed learners and returners, as well as 90% funding for those currently in employment who wish to upskill. Courses are available in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Construction, AgInnovation, Medical Technologies Regulatory Affairs, and Creative Technologies.

The event is free. To register to attend and for more information visit: universityofgalway.ie/adultlearning/info_eve 

Ends

University of Galway is to lead the new €64.5 million Rinn Medical Devices Centre, part of the enhanced national research network established by Research Ireland.

The announcement is part of an overall Government investment of €460 million in seven new Rinn centres, aimed at strengthening Ireland's coordinated national research system.

University of Galway will partner on all seven Rinn research centres - one of only three institutions to do so.

The announcement was made today by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D.

Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “Government investment of this scale, in this new initiative recognises the vital role of research and innovation in addressing pressing societal and economic priorities for Ireland and globally. Our leadership of Rinn Medical Devices, and partnering across all seven research centres, demonstrates the depth of research excellence in University of Galway, and reflects the scale of our success in the fields of medical devices and new healthcare therapies over the last decade as well as our excellence in energy, AI and quantum science.   “The Rinn Centres align closely with three of our research pillars - Innovation for Health; Sustainable & Resilient Environments: Earth & Ocean; and Transformative Data & AI; providing an exciting foundation for greater partnership across institutions, industry, community and the public sector.”University of Galway will lead Rinn Medical Devices research centre, focused on developing medical device innovations that address the chronic conditions most associated with ageing. The centre Director is Professor Abhay Pandit.

The University will be a major partner in four new Rinn centres:

• Rinn Artificial Intelligence - a national hub to advance research and innovation in data science and AI. The Galway lead is Professor Edward Curry, Data Science Institute and School of Computer Science.


• Rinn Advanced Therapies, which will advance the development and manufacturing of personalised cellular immune therapeutics. The Galway Deputy Director is Professor Aideen Ryan, School of Medicine.


• Rinn Energy, which will drive energy system decarbonisation through a world leading research programme. The Galway leads are Professor Rory Monaghan (Deputy Director), School of Engineering and Professor Frances Fahy, Ryan Institute, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies.


• Rinn Quantum, which aims to establish Ireland as a global leader in quantum science. The Galway Deputy Director is Professor J-C Desplat, Irish Centre for High-end Computing (ICHEC).

 University of Galway academics and researchers will also partner in Rinn Pharma and Biopharma, and Rinn Semiconductors.

Aengus Parsons, Interim Vice-President for Research and Innovation, University of Galway, said: “Out of 17 research performing organisations, the University of Galway is one of only two to partner across all seven Rinn centres. This uniquely positions us to support interdisciplinary collaboration and maximise the impact of this national investment.”

The Rinn Medical Devices centre, led by Professor Abhay Pandit, will focus on advancing innovative solutions to support healthy ageing and address major health challenges through cutting-edge research and collaboration. Supported by an investment of €64.5 million, the centre will build on over a decade of pioneering research and clinical breakthroughs from the CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, which was established in 2015, and will further consolidate Galway’s position as a leading global medtech hub.

 Professor Abhay Pandit, Director of Rinn Medical Devices, University of Galway, said: “Anchored within a dynamic ecosystem of researchers, clinicians, industry partners and innovators, Rinn Medical Devices will accelerate the translation of research into real-world health solutions and drive innovation in medtech from Galway to patients worldwide. At every step, patient voices, experiences, and priorities shape what we do and how we do it, ensuring that the devices we develop are not just scientifically sound, but genuinely meaningful to the people they're designed to help.”

 The seven national Rinn Centres commence operations in July 2026 and will run for eight years. The centres have support from more than 200 industry partners, comprising over 100 multinational corporations and almost 100 SMEs. The Government initiative will directly enable multidisciplinary collaboration across 17 research-performing organisations and support 577 researchers and 800 PhDs.

Ends

The working paper published today by the Climate Change Advisory Council moves beyond the science of coastal change to provide the first comprehensive roadmap for a national Coastal Change Adaptation Framework.

Entitled ‘Managing Coastal Risks in Ireland: Towards strategies that integrate planned coastal relocations,’ the report identifies potential policy levers, zoning tools, and funding structures needed to carry out the planned relocation of people and critical assets (residential and commercial properties, roads, bridges, rail lines, ports and harbours, telecommunication networks, or utility plants) away from at-risk zones.

The working paper highlights that the scale of the threat from coastal erosion is immense. It notes a survey of eight local authorities which identified 2,279 properties and 570km of roads at risk. These numbers are projected to jump to 4,446 properties by 2050, a figure that will rise substantially once all local authorities covering 19 coastal counties report their data.

The paper argues that while erosion is an inevitable natural process, the current lack of a binding framework for retreat has left the State in a cycle of ad hoc reactive engineering and unmanaged loss.

To protect current and future generations, the Government must now prioritise the creation of a masterplan that operationalises how - and not just why - coastal communities will move to safety.

Dr Eugene Farrell, Associate Professor at University of Galway and lead author of the report, said: "The core issue is accountability and action. Governments and communities cannot continue to frame today’s coastal erosion crisis as an unforeseeable outcome. The science has been clear for decades, and the warnings were widely available. What is required now is decisive remedial and adaptive action. Implementing 'planned relocation' from eroding coastlines is not optional - it is an essential responsibility of present governance."

The findings address targets in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy 2023; policy objectives in the 2025 National Planning Framework; and the recommendations The Just Transition Commission of Ireland 2025 report which highlights the need to move beyond reactive policymaking and embrace long-term, structural change, to ensure fast and fair climate action with lasting benefits for future generations.

The working paper outlines a series of actions for Government to consider to respond to the increasing risks associated with coastal erosion that will require houses, roads and other infrastructure to be relocated:

• New legislation addressing coastal change and planned relocation


• Consistent coastal planning and zoning guidance at a national level


• Comprehensive, high-resolution coastal risk data


• A national framework for funding and compensation for relocation


• Clear governance structures and well-defined roles for all agencies


• Substantial investment in technical capacity within local authorities to manage relocation


• Robust community engagement to support meaningful dialogue around relocation

Dr Farrell added: "Planned relocation is often framed as a 'last resort,' but it should be viewed as a valid strategic shift when defending homes or roads becomes unsustainable.

"By planning for the strategic movement of people and infrastructure early, we can reduce exposure to extreme events, lower long-term costs, and build community resilience."

Further observations in the working paper:

- Coastal management should prioritise a proactive, managed retreat strategy, with erosion recognised as a natural process essential for sustaining coastal environments like beaches and dunes. Selective protection should be maintained for high-value urban areas, however, rural homeowners cannot simply be left to "be washed away".

- Relocation should be viewed through a human rights lens and fundamentally as a public health and social justice priority. Relocation with community participation and fair compensation, can improve long-term wellbeing; without it, the risk of deepens of social inequalities and causing mental health trauma.

- Humanitarian aid, equivalent to previous approaches used for river flooding, is required for coastal erosion. However, relying on reactive emergency funding is unpredictable whereas a long-term strategy for coastal relocations enables the Government of Ireland to plan proactively and allocate public funds money more efficiently as climate impacts worsen. 

- Mandatory natural hazard disclosure in property transactions, similar to a scheme in California and being progressed in England, where a prospective buyer would be formally notified if a home falls within a projected erosion or flood risk zone.

- Coastal infrastructure required to service offshore renewable energy including ports and transmission networks must be designed with climate adaptation and long-term coastal change in mind.

The working paper, compiled by Dr Eugene Farrell with technical support from MKO planning and environmental consultants, was commissioned by the Climate Change Advisory Council. It integrates a desktop review of international case studies and interviews with practitioners and policymakers.

The full paper 'Managing Coastal Risks in Ireland: Towards strategies that integrate planned coastal relocations' can be viewed here.

Ends

The J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics is among an elite group of business schools in the world after securing the three most rigorous and internationally recognised quality standards in business education - EQUIS accreditation by the European Foundation for Management Development; Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and Association of MBAs (AMBA).

Professor David Burn, President of the University of Galway, said: “Achieving triple crown accreditation marks an important milestone for J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics and for the University as a whole. This recognition reflects the School’s consistent engagement with industry and society, and its commitment to delivering education that is relevant, impactful and rooted in the needs of our region, while also contributing on a global stage.”

Professor Alma McCarthy, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law, added: “This achievement belongs to the entire School community, whose shared focus on high-quality teaching, impactful research and meaningful engagement has made it possible. For our students, it is a signal that their education stands alongside the best in the world, and that we will continue to challenge ourselves to deliver an academic experience that is dynamic and relevant in an evolving global business landscape.”

Professor Karena Yan, Dean of J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics, added: “This achievement recognises the staff, students, alumni, and industry partners who have built the School. To stand among the global top 1% of business schools is pride and responsibility in equal measure. It speaks to the rigour of our scholarship, our leadership in sustainability, and our public good commitment.”

The EQUIS accreditation recognises the commitment of the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics to word class teaching, research and real-world impact. It involves a rigorous peer-review process across a broad range of criteria including academic quality, governance, research, ethics, sustainability, internationalisation and engagement with industry and society.

The milestone of securing the triple crown of accreditation builds on a series of successes for the School, including receiving the Silver Swan Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality.

The School also received the Excellence in Education award at the Irish Accountancy Awards 2026 for its future-focused approach to learning in its Accountancy and Finance discipline, which are delivered through a suite of summer schools across four postgraduate master’s programmes and shaped by research, industry and global trends.

The University of Galway Tax Clinic received the prestigious US-based AACSB Global Impact Award 2026, which celebrates initiatives addressing pressing regional and local challenges.

Led by Director Professor Emer Mulligan and Coordinator Maggie O’Neill, the Tax Clinic delivers real impact through community engagement and support, while providing valuable, hands-on learning experiences for students.

Ends

The initiative has been unveiled at the mid-year meeting of ENLIGHT, when the alliance of 10 universities in 10 European countries comes together to review the partnership and plan how to build on achievements. 

The 2026 gathering has been hosted this week at University of Galway with discussions on education, research collaboration, future development and priorities and securing further support.  

Over the course of the three-day meeting, delegations discussed innovative education, research collaboration and how to build a sustainable and lasting alliance that will continue to help shape the future of European higher education. 

University of Galway also announces a key milestone with the signing of a Joint PhD agreement by the presidents of the ENLIGHT universities, creating new opportunities for students to gain international experience throughout their research journeys. 

University of Galway President Professor David Burn said: “ENLIGHT has been a hugely positive initiative for University of Galway and has grown strongly over the past few years. Our engagement with ENLIGHT partners supports our strategic ambitions in both education and research, while creating valuable international opportunities for our staff and students. 

“The discussions in Galway have reinforced the strength of the alliance and the shared commitment across our partner universities to deepen collaboration even further. We are excited about the opportunities ENLIGHT will continue to create for our university community.” 

The ENLIGHT alliance is part of the European University Initiative, a flagship programme of the European Commission’s strategy for universities. 

In 2023, the European Commission announced a four-year €14.4 million investment in ENLIGHT, supporting continued academic collaboration across the alliance. University of Galway’s involvement in the European University Alliance is also supported nationally by the Higher Education Authority. 

Since 2020, ENLIGHT has created more than 100 funded projects, initiatives and networks, while engaging more than 2,500 academics through its Thematic Networks and Incubator Grants. These activities have helped to seed interdisciplinary collaboration across the partner institutions and lay the foundations for long-term cooperation and innovation. 

University of Galway is involved in more than 50 of these collaborative projects with ENLIGHT partners, helping to develop new education offerings and strengthen research connections across the alliance. 

ENLIGHT also received a strongly positive mid-term review from the European Commission in March, with the alliance recognised for the strong foundations it has built, including its governance structures and its growing integration of education, research and societal engagement.  

ENLIGHT places a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for early career researchers and expanding mobility opportunities for staff and students. The alliance is also an important enabler of University of Galway’s strategic ambitions, with the ENLIGHT flagships aligning closely with the University’s strategic priorities. 

Ends 

The study was led by University of Galway and investigated whether the degree of inflammation in the midcingulate cortex - a part of the brain that plays a role in emotion processing, decision-making and cognitive control - correlates with the degree of cell death and type and severity of symptoms, particularly mood-related symptoms in Huntington’s disease.

Huntington’s disease is an inherited disease that causes the progressive death of nerve cells in the brain. It has a broad impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, cognitive and psychiatric problems. Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms are often named the most burdensome for patients and their families, changing family roles, dynamics and relationships.

The study was published in the journal Communications Medicine and can be read here.  

Professor Andrea Kwakowsky, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Galway, and lead author, said: “With our society facing an ageing population, Huntington’s disease could become more common, with some patients showing low-grade, late-onset forms of the disease.

“Overall, the results present a complex picture of potential inflammation priming - where cells or tissues exposed to an initial inflammatory signal become more persistent - in the Huntington’s disease midcingulate cortex, rather than a highly active inflammatory response within the central nervous system.

“This research shows that neuroinflammation-related genes are activated in all Huntington’s disease cases, and are particularly strong in cases with dominant motor symptoms compared to those with mood or mixed symptoms.

“The results point to a unique involvement of the midcingulate cortex in motor-specific neuroinflammatory pathology, suggesting it may serve as an early marker of disease progression and merits further study.”

The researchers performed critical experiments to determine the degree of inflammation in the midcingulate cortex and its link to Huntington’s disease symptoms, particularly the behavioural and psychiatric symptoms. They also identified novel genes which are involved in neuroinflammatory processes.

Prolonged inflammation in the brain can be destructive. The physiological symptoms of Huntington’s disease have been linked to neuroinflammation due to the presence of inflammatory mediators - chemical substances released by immune cells, and reactive glial cells - the brain’s fundamental response to damage. Many cell communication pathways likely interact to propagate neuroinflammation in the brain.

Professor Kwakowsky said: “Neuroinflammation is thought to cause cell loss, and cell loss in the cingulate cortex – a brain region that links emotion, cognition, memory and motor function – linked to Huntington’s disease mood symptoms. However, the presence of neuroinflammation in Huntington’s disease of the midcingulate cortex, which manages emotion regulation, has not yet been investigated.”

The study was funded by the University of Galway, Aotearoa Foundation, Centre for Brain Research, the University of Auckland, the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Alzheimer’s New Zealand, Freemasons New Zealand, Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, and the Whau Foundation. 

Ends

From Monday June 8^th, members of the public are encouraged to keep an eye out for hedgehogs in their gardens, parks, farms, estates, campuses and public green spaces, and report sightings online.

The nationwide citizen science campaign aims to build a clearer picture of where hedgehogs are still thriving across Ireland and where populations may be under pressure.

Participants can submit sightings at https://www.irishhedgehogsurvey.com/.

Hedgehogs play a role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by naturally helping to control populations of insects, slugs and other garden pests, making them an important part of Ireland’s biodiversity.

The initiative is part of a growing national effort to better understand and protect Ireland’s hedgehogs, whose numbers are believed to be declining due to habitat loss, road traffic, pesticides and changes in land use. Across Europe, hedgehogs are now classified as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List.

Recent studies suggest hedgehog populations have declined significantly in parts of western Europe over recent decades, making public reporting initiatives increasingly important for conservation research.

Hedgehog Conservation Ireland is led by Elaine O’Riordan, University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, Dr Amy Haigh, Veon Ecology, Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, Natural History Museum Denmark and WildCRU, University of Oxford, and Alan Bell, Eco Restoration Trust.

Elaine O’Riordan, researcher at University of Galway and lead researcher for the Irish Hedgehog Survey, said: “Public participation is vital because hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and monitoring them on a large scale would be impossible without community support. People across Ireland can make a real contribution to hedgehog conservation simply by reporting sightings. Every record helps us understand where hedgehogs are living and how populations are changing over time. Gardens and green spaces are becoming increasingly important refuges for wildlife, and we’re encouraging everyone to keep an eye out during the count week.”

The Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count is open to everyone, whether they live in a city, town, village, or rural area. Participants are encouraged to look for hedgehogs at dusk or after dark, when the animals are most active.

Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, also known as Dr Hedgehog, hedgehog researcher at WildCRU, University of Oxford and member of Hedgehog Conservation Ireland, said: “If you do not have a garden yourself, you can look for hedgehogs in the local park, or travel to the forest or the countryside. And if you are young and cannot stay up late when the hedgehogs become active, you can also report road-killed hedgehogs - every record counts and helps us build a better understanding of where hedgehogs are found.

            “It is very important that we do not disturb the hedgehogs during the count. We do not want to risk any nests being disrupted or stressing the animals. Please wait for hedgehogs to appear naturally on the lawn when they become active at dusk and admire them from a distance.”

Organisers hope the event will not only gather valuable scientific data but also encourage more people to connect with local wildlife and make their gardens and communities more hedgehog-friendly by creating safe spaces for nature to thrive.

The Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count is expected to become an annual event.

For more information about the Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count and how to take part, visit:
https://www.hedgehogsireland.com/research-actions/hedgehog-count

Ends

A major new research report examining the experiences of disabled people subjected to targeted exploitation and abuse in Ireland has been launched at University of Galway.

 The report, Living Independently & Free from Targeted Abuse (LIFT): Understanding Mate Crime and the Experiences of Disabled People, presents findings from a national research project funded by Research Ireland in partnership with the Policing and Community Safety Authority.

 The report examines the issue commonly referred to as “mate crime”, where individuals are befriended and manipulated for the purposes of exploitation, coercion, abuse, or criminal activity.

 It highlights their experiences including financial exploitation, online targeting, misuse of accommodation, coercive control, sexual exploitation and barriers faced by disabled people when seeking support or reporting concerns.

Participants in the research described experiences involving online scams, financial exploitation, grooming, coercion, social isolation and situations where individuals posing as friends gradually exploited trust.

A recurring theme across the interviews and focus groups was that many participants did not initially recognise what was happening to them as abuse or exploitation, while others were reluctant to report experiences due to shame, fear of losing friendships or relationships, concerns about not being believed, or worries about Garda and justice system responses.

Participants and stakeholders also identified the absence of a specific criminal offence or formal recognition of mate crime in Ireland as contributing to the issue remaining largely hidden.

Participants described experiences of exploitation leading to financial hardship, loss of confidence, fear, emotional distress, social isolation, and significant negative impacts on independent living and participation in their community. Stakeholders and participants strongly agreed that the issue remains significantly underreported.

Dr Charles O’Mahony, Associate Professor in the School of Law at University of Galway and Principal Investigator of the project, said: “This research highlights that many disabled people in Ireland are experiencing serious forms of exploitation and abuse that frequently remain hidden. What makes this particularly complex is that the abuse often develops within relationships presented as friendship, support, care, or trust. The findings demonstrate the need for better safeguarding responses, better awareness, a more accessible justice system, and greater community understanding of how mate crime can occur.”

 Helen Hall, Chief Executive of the Policing and Community Safety Authority, said: “The PCSA is delighted to have funded this innovative project, which illustrates the value of bringing academics, practitioners and people with lived experience together to bring real insight into community safety issues. I hope that this research contributes to improving policing services for those at risk of exploitation and abuse by people they trust, by highlighting the need for greater awareness, improved reporting, and a consistent, effective and multi-agency response to a problem that is often invisible.”

 Breda Golden, Head of Safeguarding, Corlann, said: “At Corlann, we see how disabled people can be placed at risk simply because they are seeking connection, support, or community. Disabled people in Ireland are being targeted, exploited, and harmed in ways that are too often dismissed or ignored. Mate crime is not a misunderstanding, it is abuse. We need increased awareness and coordinated safeguarding action so disabled people are no longer left to navigate danger alone. Corlann is proud to support this research.”

 The research involved key interviews with stakeholders from disability services, advocacy organisations, safeguarding teams, policing, and the justice sector, alongside a national survey and focus groups with disabled people and people supporting individuals in the community across Ireland.

 The report includes recommendations relating to disability awareness training, safeguarding legislation, accessible reporting mechanisms, online safety, and stronger coordination between disability organisations, advocacy groups, community services, and An Garda Síochána.

 The launch event included a private screening of a short film developed in collaboration with Blue Teapot Theatre Company titled MateCrime. The film was informed directly by the lived experiences and themes emerging from the research.

 Petal Pilley, Director at Blue Teapot Theatre Company, said: “On occasion complex social and world issues can be met by art and in the alchemy of that encounter be distilled into forms that communicate truths with immediacy beyond words. We hope this film is one such encounter.”

 The event also featured discussion on safeguarding, disability rights, community safety, and access to justice for disabled people in Ireland.

 The full report is available here.

 Ends

University of Galway has today announced the establishment of the Ward & Burke Centre for Infrastructure Research & Innovation following a significant investment from leading engineering multinational Ward & Burke.

The investment is being made as part of a new Signature Partnership between Ward & Burke and the University, building on many years of research collaboration.

The commitment from Ward & Burke, a world-leading engineering company with its head office in Kilcolgan, Co Galway, will allow for significant advancement of research, impact and innovation in sustainable, intelligent and resilient infrastructure at the University.

As part of the Signature Partnership, the new Ward & Burke Centre for Infrastructure Research & Innovation is being established to build on existing strengths at the University’s School of Engineering across civil and mechanical engineering, water and wastewater research, geotechnics, construction innovation and data driven engineering technologies. Some of the focus of the new research centre’s work will be on water systems, underground construction, climate resilience and digital engineering.

Alongside the new research centre a new civil engineering professorship has been created, with Established Professor Brian Sheil, an alumnus of University of Galway, appointed as the first to hold the role. The research centre will be led by Professor Sheil and Professor Eoghan Clifford, Head of Civil Engineering. It will enable the University to attract new world-leading faculty, researchers, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students.

The Signature Partnership with Ward & Burke will also see the establishment of a new, ambitious scholarship programme to build the pipeline of talented and innovative engineering students.

Padraig Burke, Director at Ward & Burke, said: “We are delighted to build on our long-standing relationship with University of Galway through this investment in establishing the Ward & Burke Centre for Infrastructure Research & Innovation. At Ward & Burke, we’ve always believed that the future of engineering lies in solutions that are not just technically excellent but genuinely sustainable- from lowering carbon footprints to building infrastructure that stands the test of climate change. This Centre will accelerate collaboration between industry and research, helping to drive innovation that delivers real, long-term environmental and societal benefits. We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the transformative impact it will have.”

The Signature Partnership was unveiled at a day-long event hosted at University of Galway on the anniversary of the birthday of one of the University’s greatest engineering graduates, Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy, whose distinguished legacy lives on in San Francisco through water, rail and other major infrastructure projects, as well as the Golden Gate Bridge.

Professor David Burn, President of the University of Galway, highlighted the wider impact of the initiative: “This transformational philanthropic commitment from Ward & Burke marks a major milestone for University of Galway and for the future of civil and infrastructure engineering in Ireland. The new Ward & Burke Centre for Infrastructure Research & Innovation spans three of the University’s four research pillars and is a powerful demonstration of strategic investment in our people, teaching and research. By attracting world-leading faculty and establishing a new Civil Engineering Professorship, this partnership will educate the next generation of engineers and drive innovation with real-world impact.”

            Professor Laoise McNamara, Head of the School of Engineering and incoming Vice-President Research and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “The establishment of the Ward and Burke Centre for Infrastructure Research & Innovation reflects the longstanding collaboration in research and education with the company and Civil Engineering at University of Galway. We are proud that Ward and Burke was founded by our engineering graduates who, over the past 25 years, have grown it into one of the most innovative infrastructure companies driving wastewater treatment, energy infrastructure and urban regeneration solutions worldwide. Today, the company employs more than 1,200 people, across Ireland, the UK, Canada and the US. The establishment of this Centre will enable us to recruit and develop world leading researchers and deliver impactful research, benefiting large-scale infrastructure projects in Ireland and internationally.”

Ends

While the study recognises that time spent on social media is linked to a range of health outcomes, the analysis reveals that its influence is relatively modest and smaller than what we assume.

The analysis of surveys of teenagers also showed that the impact of social media was relatively small when compared to other social and environmental factors in young people’s lives.

Professor Eoin Whelan, who led the research at University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, said the study highlights the limitations of attributing teenage mental health and well-being primarily to social media use.

Professor Whelan said: “The findings of this study are consistent with other prior studies which report that overall, the harmful effects of social media use on adolescent well-being may be smaller than often assumed.”

The research, published in Acta Psychologica, shows that factors such as feeling safe in school, supportive relationships with parents and caregivers and financial ability to participate in activities are more important predictors of adolescent health outcomes.

The study used data from almost 3,000 teenagers aged 15-16 who were living in the West of Ireland and who completed the Planet Youth survey. The analysis involved an advanced method known as specification curve analysis to examine more than 50,000 possible links between social media use and health outcomes.

The study found that:

• Social media use is associated with small differences in adolescent health outcomes.


• Associations between social media use and mental health outcomes tended to be higher for girls, though the overall effect remained small.


• Spending more time on social media was most strongly linked to higher levels of anger difficulties in boys, and to alcohol use and vaping in both boys and girls, though these links were still relatively modest.


• Overall, social media use was not among the strongest predictors of adolescent health outcomes.

Unlike much previous research, the study directly compares social media use with other known influences on adolescent health, such as school safety and parental support, allowing the relative importance of these factors to be assessed more clearly.

The findings suggest that policymakers and caregivers may benefit from focusing on a broader range of factors affecting young people’s health, rather than treating social media as a primary cause of harm.

The study also aligns with a recent consensus report from the American National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, which found insufficient evidence to conclude that social media causes changes in adolescent health across the wider teenage population.

Professor Whelan continued: “While analysis of information reported by teenagers shows that the negative impact of social media may be overstated, this does not mean that social media is harmless or without risk. Social media can present risks for young people, and those do deserve attention.

            “Although there have been thousands of studies investigating the impacts of social media on the lives of young people, we do not have a complete picture. Most research, like my own, has to rely on self-reported data, which has limitations.

“To really find out how social media is impacting young people, researchers need access to data on how teenagers are actually using social media. The EU Digital Services Act requires online platforms to make this data available to vetted researchers.  However, the data held by social media companies is difficult to obtain, and when provided, is often incomplete. This hampers the independent scrutiny of the impact of social media platforms - one of the central goals of the Digital Services Act.”

The full study, published in Acta Psychologica, is available to read here

Ends

 A multidisciplinary team from University of Galway, CÚRAM, the Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, and KU Leuven in Belgium built an innovative AI accelerated computational model to test the theory.

 The research findings suggest that learning to harness the pressure of physical force on a tumour could open an entirely new role for treatments known as mechanotherapies in the fight against cancer.

 The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences at https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2523159123

 Dr Irish Senthilkumar, postdoctoral researcher and a lead on the study, said: "Cancer cells are known to bypass many of the body's normal growth controls, but tumours still respond to mechanical pressure. Until now we haven't understood why this happens, so our aim was to investigate the underlying mechanics at a cellular level."

 Dr Eóin McEvoy, senior researcher with CÚRAM and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at University of Galway, said: "As we understand more about how cell compression and compaction affect things like drug penetration and efficacy, the work has important implications for improving drug responses and designing new mechanotherapy treatment regimens.”

 The research highlighted how, for decades, scientists have noticed that tumour cells seem to respond to one thing that chemicals cannot easily override, physical pressure - put enough physical pressure on a tumour, and its growth slows down. But the reason was not fully understood.

 The key lies in how cells grow in the first place. Before a cell can divide, it has to get bigger. It does this by manufacturing complex biological molecules (proteins, lipids, and other building blocks) which draws water into the cell through osmosis, inflating it like a tiny balloon. Once the cell reaches a critical size, it can split in two. Under normal circumstances, this swelling process works smoothly. But when a tumour becomes physically confined by the surrounding tissue pressing in on it, something disrupts that process. The external mechanical load creates high hydrostatic pressure, that fights against the osmotic swelling from the inside. The result? Cells can no longer reach the size needed to trigger division. Growth stalls. In other words, the physical architecture of a tumour is not just a passive backdrop, it's an active participant in the disease.

 Dr McEvoy added: “The implications stretch well beyond explaining an interesting biological process. Many cancer drugs work by targeting cell division. If a tumour's mechanical environment is already suppressing growth, understanding that interaction could reveal why some drugs work better in certain tumour types or locations, and why others fail.”

 The AI accelerated computational model developed by the research team runs complex calculations, simulating how thousands of individual cells collectively grow and reorganise under mechanical stress or the pressure of having no room to grow bigger. Without the AI model, simulations would be impossibly slow.

 The researchers validated the model’s predictions against real laboratory experiments using breast cancer spheroids - small, ball-shaped clusters of cancer cells grown in 3D cultures that closely mimic how tumours behave inside the body.

 The results showed that the predictions matched the experimental results, giving the scientists confidence that they had identified the genuine mechanism underlying how pressure slows cancer growth.

 Ends

 Tugann na gradaim aitheantas do chéimithe den scoth ar roghnaíodh iad as pobal alumni na hOllscoile ar fud an domhain. Tá céim bainte amach ag breis agus 145,000 duine ó bunaíodh an Ollscoil sa bhliain 1845. 

 Tarraingíonn na gradaim aird ar an tsárobair atá déanta ag na halumni seo ina réimsí éagsúla féin a n-áirítear leo na dána, gnó, dlí, seirbhís phoiblí, eolaíocht, sláinte, spórt agus ceannaireacht nua, agus tá faighteoirí na ngradam tar éis tionchar nach beag a imirt ag an leibhéal áitiúil, náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta.

 Seo a leanas na daoine ar bronnadh Gradam Alumni Ollscoil na Gaillimhe 2026 orthu:

• Gradam Alumni do na Dána, an Litríocht agus an Léann Ceilteach

An tOllamh Fran O’Rourke, Ollamh Emeritus, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath

• Gradam Alumni don Ghnó agus an Tráchtáil – Urraithe ag Banc na hÉireann

Michael Lohan, Príomhfheidhmeannach, GFT Éireann

• Gradam Alumni don Ghaeilge

Deirdre Ní Choistín, Ard-Stiúrthóir TG4

• Gradam Alumni don Dlí, an Beartas Poiblí agus an tSochaí – Urraithe ag RDJ

Katie Mannion, Aturnae Bainistíochta, Ionad Dlí  Chomhairle Teifeach na hÉireann

• Gradam Alumni don Innealtóireacht, an Eolaíocht agus an Teicneolaíocht – Urraithe ag Analog Devices

An tOllamh Patrick Farrell, Ollamh le hAnailís Uimhriúil, Ollscoil Oxford

• Gradam Alumni don Leigheas, an tAltranas agus na hEolaíochtaí Sláinte – Urraithe ag Medtronic

An tOllamh James Meaney, Ollamh le Raideolaíocht agus Stiúrthóir, Ionad Thomas Mitchell d’Ardíomháú Leighis (CAMI), Ospidéal San Séamas agus Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath

• Gradam Alumni don Rannpháirtíocht sa Spórt 

Fiona Murtagh, Rámhaí a bhfuil Curadh an Domhain bainte amach aici

• Gradam Alumni do Cheannairí Nua – Urraithe ag BioInnovate

       Ruth Mackey agus David Mackey, lucht bunaithe Mbryonics

 Dúirt an tOllamh David Burn, Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Ceann de na hócáidí is tábhachtaí i bhféilire na hOllscoile is ea na Gradaim Alumni, áit a dtagaimid le chéile chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an tionchar ollmhór atá ag ár gcéimithe ar fud an domhain. Léiríonn gach duine d’fhaighteoirí na bliana seo tallann, uaillmhian agus luachanna Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, agus táimid an-bhródúil as a gcuid éachtaí. Léiriú is ea rath na bhfaighteoirí seo ní hamháin ar a mbarr feabhais féin ach, anuas air sin, ar a láidre is atá ár bpobal alumni ar fud an domhain, agus nasc an phobail sin leis an Ollscoil.”

Críoch

 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

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 3^rd to 6^th 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 3^rd 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

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

A new survey of hospitality workers in Ireland has found strong levels of pride and commitment, but breaches of employment rights and high levels of stress, burnout, and poor workplace conditions across the sector.

The findings are based on 736 responses collected from hospitality workers in Ireland in 2025 – the largest independent study of its kind to date.

The research was led by University of Galway and forms part of a wider global project examining hospitality working conditions across multiple countries.

Despite positive attitudes towards work and strong confidence in skills, the survey reports continued breaches of basic employment rights among some workers, including pay below the minimum wage, unpaid hours and missing employment documentation.

The data suggests a persistent gap between the demands of the industry and the supports available to workers, reflecting long-standing issues affecting retention, wellbeing and performance.

Dr Deirdre Curran, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway, led the research: “These results will be of direct interest to policymakers, employer representative bodies, trade unions, employers, students and teachers of hospitality and employment relations, and those working in hospitality.

“Our intention is to provoke evidence-based discussions leading to positive change for all. We have a responsibility to the people who shared their experiences with us, to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are placed at the centre of discussions on the future of the sector.”

Key findings include:

Despite Ireland’s suite of employment legislation, results show that some hospitality workers continue to lack basic employment rights:

• 6% of respondents stated they were paid below the minimum wage


• 11% claimed that they were not paid for every hour worked 


• 22% had not received a written statement of the terms of their employment 


• 13% did not receive regular detailed pay slips

Respondents reported high levels of engagement with their work, alongside significant wellbeing challenges.

• 96% agreed/strongly agreed that they ‘care about being useful and productive’


• 91% agreed/strongly agreed that they had ‘the skills to do their job with confidence’


• 73% agreed that they ‘enjoy their work environment’ 


• 72% felt they were ‘treated with dignity and respect by their managers’ (less so by customers)


• 64% agreed/strongly agreed that they felt ‘emotionally drained’ by their work


• 71% stated that they felt ‘used up’ at the end of their workday


• 53% had witnessed bullying or harassment


• 38% said they had experienced bullying or harassment

The report also examines the types of behaviour reported, along with who is most likely to be responsible and how incidents are handled in the workplace.

The report covers the full range of working conditions in hospitality, including the demands placed on both employees and employers, as well as factors that attract workers to the sector and those that contribute to turnover.

While the findings are indicative rather than representative, they provide a strong evidence base and the report includes recommendations aimed at addressing systemic issues and supporting more sustainable working conditions for both employees and employers.

The research team was led by Dr Deirdre Curran at University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, and includes Dr Maeve O’Sullivan, Dr Áine Ní Léime and Olaiwola Ogunpaimo, University of Galway; Anastasia Kulichyova, Queen’s University Belfast; and Kevin Ward, Technological University of the Shannon.

The project is part of the Global Hospitality Research Alliance, which examines working conditions in hospitality sectors across the Global North and Global South.

The full report is available at https://researchrepository.universityofgalway.ie/server/api/core/bitstreams/391e4cb7-1d0f-4f63-8200-930df80fc579/content  

Ends

University of Galway’s Institute for Clinical Trials has hosted a national clinical research innovation day to examine how Ireland can strengthen its capabilities in clinical trials and enhance its position as a global MedTech hub. 

To coincide with the event, the Institute launched a White Paper on the Hypercare initiative – a pilot project which demonstrates a blueprint for dramatically faster regulatory approvals for clinical trials and significant improvements in efficiency. 

Hypercare is designed to support and improve Ireland’s capability, predictability, and competitiveness in medical device clinical investigations. The White Paper outlines three different cases which achieved authorisation to go to clinical trial significantly faster than the standard average of 73 days – with one case going from end-to-end regulatory review in half the time.  

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “The work of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway is a clear signal about the value of working together with a shared vision and towards a shared goal. The work of the team, our partners in the Health Service Executive, and industry has helped us to create this blueprint to position Ireland as a European and global leader in clinical trials.” 

Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials, said: “The findings from the Hypercare initiative demonstrate that targeted coordination and early engagement can make Ireland a more predictable and attractive environment for clinical research. This has implications not only for innovation, but for regional development and the long-term growth of the sector.” 

The national clinical research innovation day, hosted by the University’s Institute for Clinical Trials, was organised in collaboration with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), National Office for Research Ethics Committees (NREC), Data Protection Commission (DPC), Health Research Consent Declaration Committee (HRCDC), and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Representatives from regulatory bodies, healthcare services, academia, industry and patient groups attended.  

 The focus of the one-day event was on practical and regulatory aspects of conducting trials, including sessions on ethics, governance, and data protection.  

It featured insights from real-world clinical trial studies, conducted through the Hypercare initiative. Contributions were made by InterVene, an international SME based in the US; Luminate Medical, a University of Galway spin-out; and Medtronic, which has a five-year €5million signature innovation partnership with University of Galway focuses on developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research. 

Hypercare enabled the three companies to navigate the complexities of the pathway to authorisation for a clinical trial with different medical devices and investigation strategies. 

Findings published in the White Paper include:  

• Increasing clinical research activity within hospitals contributes directly to the wider health system, supports job creation and skills development and enables earlier access to new and potentially life-enhancing treatment for patients. 

• The single point of contact created in the Hypercare initiative was a key driver of efficiency, removing administrative fragmentation and allowing their teams to focus on clinical execution rather than logistics. 

• The Health Protection Regulatory Authority reported that Hypercare significantly improved sponsor readiness and application quality and proactive early engagement helped streamline the process without compromising the rigor required for safety and performance. 

• Further scaling and investment in coordinated supports, could see Ireland significantly increase its share of global medical device clinical trials, strengthening both regional economies and national research infrastructure 

• Attracting and retaining clinical investigation activity can generate substantial regional economic benefits and further position Ireland as a globally competitive hub for MedTech innovation. 

The White Paper can be read in full at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/instituteforclinicaltrials/ tbc  

The national clinical research innovation day aimed to support knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the sector, with a particular focus on improving trial readiness, reducing barriers to innovation, and enabling earlier patient access to new treatments. 

Professor Tom Melvin, Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “The initiation of a clinical study relies on the coordinated contribution of multiple organisations. The Hypercare pilot demonstrates that complex clinical study pathways can be streamlined for medical technologies. This supports the translation of scientific discoveries into enhanced patient care. This also supports our health service, by providing earlier access to medical technologies designed to address unmet medical need.” 

John Kilmartin, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “I believe that this collaborative partnership stands as a model for academic–industry collaboration, advancing innovation while upholding the highest clinical and regulatory standards. Aligned with the mission of the Institute for Clinical Trials, this project drives excellence, inclusivity, and need-driven research to improve health outcomes for Irish patients. The Hypercare project aims to highlight positive changes in the delivery of clinical research in Ireland, attracting further interest and investment from MedTech stakeholders nationally and internationally."

Professor Donal Reddan, Director of Research, HSE West and North-West Region, said: “The Hypercare initiative clearly demonstrates how a coordinated approach across regulators, ethics committees clinical site teams and the wider public health system can significantly accelerate the opening of clinical studies. By enabling early engagement, parallel processes and a single point of coordination, it is helping to reduce study start-up timelines without compromising regulatory standards, supporting faster access to innovative treatments for patients across the public health system.”

Ends  

Shannon College of Hotel Management has today marked 75 years of hospitality education with a milestone anniversary celebration and the launch of a new undergraduate degree - Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) in Global Luxury and Experience Management.

The event was centred around the launch of a new ambitious vision for the future of Shannon College, including an outline of plans for a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art learning building.

Founded in 1951 by Dr Brendan O’Regan, Shannon College of Hotel Management has grown from an ambitious idea in the Shannon region to become a world-renowned school as part of University of Galway which has a distinctive place in Irish and global hospitality education.

The 75^th anniversary event brought together alumni, students, staff, friends of Shannon College, members of the community and industry partners to reflect on its long-standing contribution to the national and international hospitality sector, while also looking ahead to the future of hospitality education.

Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “It is a privilege to be part of a 75^th anniversary celebration which so clearly shows the strength of the bond between students, staff, graduates and the region, while also demonstrating the impact of the Shannon College globally. We look forward to greater successes in hospitality education as ambitions for the future become a reality.”

 Adrian Sylver, Head of Shannon College of Hotel Management, said: “Over the past 75 years, Shannon College has adapted to changing times while holding firmly to its defining values. This approach has helped generations of graduates build successful careers. The new degree programme launched today - Bachelor of Business Studies in Global Luxury and Experience Management - will continue to build on that legacy, while opening new pathways for students into dynamic and growing global industries.”

Professor Alma McCarthy, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at University of Galway, said: “The launch of the new BBS in Global Luxury and Experience Management degree programme reflects our commitment to developing future leaders with the skills and insights to thrive in an increasingly experiential-focused hospitality landscape.”

Shannon College’s new BBS in Global Luxury and Experience Management combines business knowledge with specialist capability in luxury markets, digital engagement, service excellence and international brand environments. It has been designed to equip graduates for roles that require the ability to design, deliver and manage high-value customer experiences in a wide range of settings.

The 75^th anniversary celebrations included conversations, billed as Down Memory Lane, with graduates including Daniel McLoughlin, founder of RockSalt; former Deputy Head of School Kate O’Connell; and current third-year student, Erin Brady.

Graduates of Shannon College Nicky Logue, General Manager Intercontinental Hotel Dublin, Ruth Scanlon, Marketing Director Reignwood UK, and Christine Murphy, Founder of Urban Aran, also took part in the event, reflecting on their careers and the opportunities presented by the new degree.

The celebrations also included the launch of a Shannon College 75th Anniversary Commemorative Whiskey, produced in collaboration with Co Clare Whiskey Bonder JJ Corry.

The Shannon College brand is carried across the world by a global alumni community of more than 3,000 graduates in senior roles including chief executive officers of international hotel groups, leaders of global hospitality brands, chairs of major tourism destinations, and presidents and chairpersons of national and international hospitality organisations.

Its practice-led approach combines academic study, professional training, immersion in language, international experience and close industry engagement, helping generations of graduates build careers across hotels, tourism, luxury hospitality, financial services, destination management, events, enterprise and other sectors.

Shannon College has maintained a 100% employment record for undergraduate programmes since 1951, reflecting the enduring strength of the Shannon education and the values of professionalism, integrity, service excellence and warmth that continue to define the “Shannon Family”.

Ends

The study examined the effects of exercise on muscle, and in particular whether shorter bursts of very intensive exercise or longer periods of less intensive exercise were more effective at improving muscle health.

Dr Enda Murphy, an exercise scientist working at CÚRAM – the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway, led the international collaboration, with scientists from Dublin City University and Toulouse University in France.

In order to fully assess the impact of exercise on muscle health, the researchers took muscle biopsy samples from participants before and after exercise. They also took very precise measures of metabolic health, including “insulin sensitivity” – a measure of how well insulin can control the flow of glucose and other fuels around the body. This made it possible to analyse very precisely the effects of exercise on metabolism within the muscle itself.

Dr Enda Murphy said: “The findings were interesting and unexpected. There were much bigger improvements in muscle function after the short, intensive exercise bouts compared to the longer bout of less intensive exercise, even though the overall workload with the short intensive bout was much lower.

“Our analysis also showed improvements in insulin sensitivity – which relates to how effectively the body’s cells respond to insulin in order to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and regulate blood sugar levels.”

The research involved young, healthy, active men involved in training or exercising at least twice a week. In order to assess how their bodies responded to the exercise, they were assessed 24 hours after sprint intervals (7x30 second high intensity sprints over 40 minutes), cycling over 1 hour (continuous moderate intensity), and while not exercising.

The full research can be read in the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Dr Cedric Moro, part of the research team based in the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC) INSERM/Toulouse University France, said: “Whether the findings apply to other groups such as women, older people or those with chronic medical conditions like obesity, needs further study. However, the fact that we were able to quantify very precisely the changes in insulin sensitivity, as well as the changes in muscle at a molecular and microscopic level with the biopsy samples makes us confident that what we are seeing is real.”

Professor Francis Finucane, part of the research team and Consultant Endocrinologist, Galway University Hospitals and University of Galway, said: “This study shows the power of collaboration between specialists in metabolism, muscle function and exercise science. We know that exercise is really important for metabolic health, and making exercise interventions as effective as possible will help our patients with obesity and related disorders. This study is a small but important step on that journey.”

Ends

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

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

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 15^th 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

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

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

Tá an taispeántas – arna chur le chéile ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – lonnaithe in Ionad an Acadaimh i gCarna.

Tugann an taispeántas seo léargas ar laochra áitiúla na fonnadóireachta, an cheoil, na filíochta agus na scéalaíochta, a bhfuil tionchar i gcónaí ag a gcuid saothair ar oidhreacht chultúrtha phobal Iorras Aithneach i gConamara agus níos faide i gcéin, agus déanann sé ceiliúradh ar thraidisiúin bhéil shaibhre an cheantair mar aon leis an ról atá acu i gcaomhnú chultúr an phobail.

Cuireadh an taispeántas agus an foilseachán a ghabhann leis i dtoll a chéile mar thoradh ar thaighde a rinneadh in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus léiríonn sé an comhoibriú leanúnach idir foireann an Acadaimh agus an pobal áitiúil maidir le hoidhreacht chultúrtha a chaomhnú agus a thaifeadadh.

Tá an tionscadal bunaithe ar an tuiscint gurb é an pobal a chothaíonn an cultúr, áit a ndéantar teanga, nósanna agus traidisiúin a aistriú ó ghlúin go glúin trí thaithí saoil, scéalaíocht agus amhránaíocht. Tá na traidisiúin bhéil seo lárnach i gcónaí i saol mhuintir Iorras Aithneach agus i saol na Gaeltachta trí chéile.

            Seo mar a labhair an tAire Lawless: “Tugann taispeántas an lae inniu ómós do mhuintir Iorras Aithneach ní hamháin mar ábhair staire, ach mar chruthaitheoirí agus caomhnóirí gníomhacha an chultúir. Tugann an taispeántas seo léargas ar laochra áitiúla na fonnadóireachta, an cheoil, na filíochta agus na scéalaíochta, a chuidíonn a gcuid saothair linn i gcónaí tuiscint níos fearr a bheith againn ar phobal na Gaeltachta agus a chuireann go mór le hoidhreacht na tíre.”

            Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: “Is fianaise chumhachtach é an taispeántas seo ar oidhreacht chultúrtha bheo Iorras Aithneach agus ar an eolas dothomhaiste atá le fáil sa Ghaeltacht. De bharr na hoibre atá idir lámha ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, táimid ag caomhnú na dtraidisiún seo agus ag forbairt bealaí nua lena roinnt agus le staidéar a dhéanamh orthu. Léiríonn an tionscnamh seo tiomantas na hOllscoile don Ghaeilge, don chomhpháirtíocht phobail, agus tá sé mar aidhm againn a chinntiú go mbeidh an oidhreacht shaibhir chultúrtha seo ar fáil chun na glúnta atá le teacht a spreagadh agus a chumasú.”

Leagann an taispeántas cartlainne béim ar thábhacht straitéiseach bhonneagar Gaeltachta Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge maidir le tacú leis an ról reachtúil atá ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ardoideachas a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge, chomh maith le cláir léinn bunaithe ar an saineolas atá againn sa teangeolaíocht, sa chultúr, sa phleanáil teanga agus i ndisciplíní gaolmhara a chur chun cinn.

Dúirt Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Ceannasaí Eatramhach Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge: “Is é an teagasc taighde-bhunaithe bunús na gclár ar fad a chuirimid ar fáil in ionaid Ghaeltachta na hOllscoile. Tá saineolas againn ar shealbhú teanga i dtimpeallacht tumoideachais. Déantar é seo trí chomhpháirtíocht leis na pobail áitiúla i gCarna, i nGaoth Dobhair agus ar an gCeathrú Rua.”

Tá roinnt cartlann faoi choimirce Ionad an Acadaimh i gCarna, ina measc tá Cartlann Sheáin Mhic Giollarnáth, Cartlann Éamon de Buitléar, Cartlann Joe Éinniú, Cartlann RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus Cartlann an Phléaráca. Tugann na cartlanna sin ar fad léargas dúinn ar oidhreacht agus ar chultúr na bpobal Gaeltachta.

Críoch

The exhibition - curated by University of Galway’s Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge - is being hosted at Ionad an Acadaimh, Carna.

The archive highlights the contributions of distinguished local tradition-bearers in sean-nós singing, music, poetry and storytelling, who have made a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of Iorras Aithneach in Connemara and further afield and offers an insight into the region’s rich oral traditions while celebrating the role of community-led cultural preservation.

The exhibition and accompanying publication follows research undertaken at Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and recognises the ongoing collaboration between staff of An tAcadamh and the local community in preserving and documenting cultural heritage.

The project is grounded in the understanding that culture is sustained through communities, where language, customs, and traditions are passed from one generation to another through lived experience, storytelling and song. These oral traditions remain central to the identity of Iorras Aithneach and the wider Gaeltacht region.

            Minister Lawless said: “Today’s exhibition honours the people of Iorras Aithneach not simply as subjects of history, but as active creators and custodians of culture. It highlights the enduring contributions of local tradition‑bearers, singers, storytellers and folklore collectors, whose work continues to shape our understanding of Irish‑speaking communities and enrich our shared national heritage.”

            University of Galway President Professor David Burn said: “This exhibition is a powerful testament to the living cultural heritage of Iorras Aithneach and to the deep knowledge held within Gaeltacht communities. Through the work of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, we are preserving these traditions and developing new ways to share and study them. This initiative reflects our University’s commitment to the Irish language, to community partnership, and to ensuring that this rich cultural legacy continues to inform and inspire future generations.”

The archive exhibition underscores the strategic importance of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge’s Gaeltacht infrastructure in supporting the University of Galway’s statutory role in delivering higher education through Irish, as well as advancing programmes in linguistics, culture, language planning and related disciplines.

Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Interim Head of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, said: “Research-based teaching informs all of our programmes in the University’s Gaeltacht centres. We specialise in language acquisition in an immersive environment. This is achieved through partnership with local communities in Carna, Gaoth Dobhair and An Cheathrú Rua.”

Ionad an Acadamh in Carna is home to several archival collections, including the Seán Mac Giollarnáth Archive, the Éamon de Buitléar Archive, the Joe Heaney Archives, the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Archive, and the Pléaráca Archive, all providing unique insights into the heritage and culture of the Gaeltacht communities.

Ends

 This event honours the legacy of Siobhán McKenna, the Belfast-born actress who became a world-renowned actress of stage and screen, starring in Dr Zhivago, King of Kings and Of Human Bondage.

 This year's lecture series took the form of an interdisciplinary lecture-performance showcasing the wide-ranging artistry of writer, director and vocalist Esosa Ighodaro, whose work champions Black Irish creativity and explores identity, ritual and intergenerational storytelling.

 Esosa Ighodaro began her artistic life as a touring singer, later moving into acting - a path that sparked her evolution into writing and directing for both stage and screen. 

 Her award‑winning films Round Boxes,  A Little Chilli and Dance Like Someone’s Watching have screened at festivals across Ireland, the US and Africa.

 Presented as part of University of Galway’s Arts in Action programme, Esosa Ighodaro’s lecture-performance blended song, film excerpts and key moments from her artistic practice to date.

 Reflecting on her journey from vocalist to actor, writer and director, Esosa Ighodaro explored how identity, intergenerational legacy, and expanding the landscape of Black Irish creativity drive and unify her body of work to date.

 Esosa Ighodaro, said: “I work across art forms because different stories ask for different ways of being told. It was a pleasure to be invited to share that practice as part of the Siobhán McKenna Lecture, and an honour to place my work in conversation with such a significant legacy.”

 Donnacha O’Dea, Siobhán McKenna’s son who initiated the lecture series and scholarship award, said: “As we enter the third year of this lecture series and scholarship, the power of this initiative to carry forward my mother’s legacy is clearer than ever to me - in ways I know she would have found both exciting and deeply inspiring.”

 Siobhán McKenna’s archive is held by University of Galway, which has long been committed to the preservation and extension of her legacy.

 As part of the event, the Siobhán McKenna Scholarship winner from the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway was announced as Dutch theatremaker, Drieske Steijl. The scholarship is awarded based on previous practical experience and academic achievement that demonstrates; potential for a rewarding career in the arts or politically-engaged arts; and use of native languages.

 Dr Charlotte McIvor, head of Postgraduate Programmes in Drama and Theatre Studies, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, University of Galway, said: “Esosa Ighodaro’s virtuosic individual artistry and drive to energise and reform the Irish creative sector recalls Siobhán McKenna’s own visionary drive across so many areas of theatre, film and activism. We feel that her body of work and ability to move between so many different roles embodies McKenna’s legacy in the 21^st century.”

 Professor Rebecca Braun, Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, University of Galway, said: “Siobhán McKenna and Esosa Ighodaro both exemplify ambitious visions for the key role creativity must take in public life to not only advance art forms but social and cultural life more generally. We take inspiration from their work today to drive forward the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies’ own vision for creativity in public life through the work of staff and students.”

 The annual Siobhán McKenna Scholarship Award is open to prospective students of the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway.

 It includes:

• A bursary of €2,500 to support one student to undertake the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies administered by Galway University Foundation.


• A package of support to include access to exclusive activities related to Siobhán McKenna and the professional Irish theatre, and drawing on the University’s partnerships with the Abbey Theatre, Druid Theatre, the Lyric Theatre and other groups.


• Fee support of €1,500 for successful applicants.

To apply for the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway visit here.

 This event was co-presented by the Galway University Foundation, the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Arts in Action at University of Galway.

 Ends

This year’s theme is Intelligence Augmented – the Frontier of Human Judgement and features influential thinkers on technology and society, including entrepreneur Mark Little, the founder of Storyful and co-founder of Kinzen.

The AtlanTec Conference takes place on Thursday May 14^th at University of Galway as part of the 12th AtlanTec Festival.

The conference is set to attract more than 400 delegates, including international speakers and representatives from leading technology companies in the region and beyond, and aligns closely with the University’s research strengths in data, AI, and responsible innovation.

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “The AtlanTec Conference reflects the University’s commitment to advancing responsible, human-centred AI. We look forward to welcoming our partners and the technology community to campus for this annual event. This year’s conference aligns strongly with our Transformative Data and AI research pillar, where responsible innovation is central to ensuring technology delivers meaningful benefits to society.”

The AtlanTec Festival, which celebrates innovation and technology in the west of Ireland, is organised by itag (Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway). The conference is brought to campus through the support of the University’s Innovation Office, in partnership with the School of Computer Science and an extensive number of industry partners.

Headlining the conference are:

• Mark Little, founder of Storyful and co-founder of Kinzen, will share insights drawn from his career at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. A former RTÉ foreign correspondent and presenter, he has been at the forefront of efforts to address misinformation and build trusted digital information systems.


• Dr Lollie Mancey, Programme Director at the UCD Innovation Academy. Known for her engaging and thought-provoking contributions across media and public discourse, Dr Mancey’s work focuses on the ethical and emotional dimensions of emerging technologies, including the evolving relationship between humans and AI systems.


• Professor Paul Buitelaar, Deputy Director of the Data Science Institute at the University of Galway, will deliver a keynote address titled, Neuro-Symbolic AI: A New Direction for AI Development and Deployment.

The 2026 AtlanTec Conference brings together leading voices from industry, academia, and the public sector, with participation from organisations including Medtronic, Fidelity, Genesys, Datavant and University of Galway spin-out Senus, alongside a broad range of innovators and practitioners across Ireland’s technology ecosystem.

Sharon Walsh, Senior Vice-President, Fidelity Investments and Chair of itag, said: “The conference comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. We are at a tipping point. As we move further into an AI-accelerated world, the perspectives of thinkers like Mark and Lollie are essential. This year’s conference at University of Galway is about ensuring technology is developed in a way that serves humanity, not the other way around.”

The event will include the official announcement of the winners of the festival’s AtlanTec AI Challenge.

The University of Galway Innovation Office is supported under the KT Boost Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.

Tickets for the AtlanTec Conference are available on Eventbrite.

Ends