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

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

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