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Cuirfidh Orla Ní Fhinneadha tús leis an dara sraith de cheardlanna amhránaíochta ar an sean-nós in Ionad Léann na hÉireann, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.  Beidh na ceardlanna a reachtáil ar Dé Déardaoin, 29 Eanaír, agus 5, 12, 19, 26 Feabhra i seomra seimineáir an Ionaid ar Bhóthar na Drioglainne ag a 6pm.  Tá na ceardlanna saor in aisce agus beidh fáilte roimh chách.  As an gCloich Mhór, Baile na hAbhann, ceapadh Orla mar Amhránaí Cónaitheach Sean-nóis san ollscoil i 2025. Le go leor duaisanna buaite aici, tá sí ag gabháil don amhránaíocht ó thosnaigh sí ag freastal ar ranganna sean-nóis le Máire Pheitir Uí Dhroighneáin agus sí ar bhunscoil. Bhí an-tionchar ag Máire uirthi chomh maith le hathair Orla féin, Jimi Ó Fhinneadha.  Tá an-éileamh ar Orla mar mhúinteoir sean-nóis. Léiríodh na scileanna seo go soiléir sna físeáin a cruthaíodh do Cúla 4 ar Scoil ina raibh sí ag múineadh amhrán le linn thréimhse Covid. Tá Orla an-bhródúil go bhfuil go leor páistí fós ag breathnú agus ag foghlaim ó na hamhráin áille a thaifead sí i rith an ama sin.         Deir an Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin, Ceann an Ionaid: “Is duine des na h-amhránaithe ár linne atá dírithe istigh ar an dtraidisiún í Orla. Tá saibhreas a ceanntair agus a clainn le clois i ngach aon nóta.”  Is iad Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon agus Ionad Léann na hÉireannaigh, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, a mhaoiníonn an tionscnamh seo.  Tuilleadh eolais ó Samantha Williams ag 091 492051 nó samantha.williams@universityofgalway.ie.  Críoch

Red Squirrel Appreciation Day marks the start of a nationwide citizen science effort to track squirrels and pine martens across the island of Ireland   To celebrate Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, the 2026 All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey is officially launching today. The initiative is an invitation to members of the public to become Citizen Scientists and help track some of our most iconic woodland mammals. Led by researchers in University of Galway, Ulster Wildlife and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, the survey aims to map the latest distribution of red and grey squirrels, and the pine marten across the island of Ireland. Members of the public are invited to record their sightings of the three species throughout 2026, helping researchers build a detailed picture of how their populations are changing. The 2026 survey is being delivered with the support of the National Biodiversity Data Centre in the Republic of Ireland and CEDaR in Northern Ireland. Sightings of all three mammals can be recorded on the online survey forms hosted on their websites www.biodiversityireland.ie and www2.habitas.org.uk/records. The survey is part of a long-running monitoring programme, with previous surveys carried out on four occasions since 1997, providing vital insights into long-term trends and conservation success. The red squirrel is Ireland’s only native squirrel species, once widespread in forests and wooded areas. The introduction of the grey squirrel in 1911 has had devastating consequences on our native species through disease and competition for food, leading to the disappearance of red squirrels from large parts of the country. For many years, the future of the red squirrel looked bleak. However, recent surveys have revealed a remarkable and unexpected turnaround, with the grey squirrel being knocked back in certain areas, and the reds showing signs of recovery. In several regions, grey squirrel numbers have declined sharply, while red squirrels are showing encouraging signs of recovery. Research linked this shift to the successful comeback of another native species, the pine marten - tree dwelling carnivores and one of the few predators that can successfully hunt grey squirrels. Because the red squirrel evolved alongside pine martens, they are better adapted to avoiding them and can escape danger more easily.             Dr Colin Lawton of University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences explained the significance of the new survey: “In our most recent survey in 2019, we found that the grey squirrel had all but disappeared from 10 midland counties, and the red squirrel and pine marten were doing particularly well.             “However, the dynamics between the three species is finely balanced and we need to continue to monitor the animals to make sure things don’t change again. The greys continue to spread in the south and northwest, and they are doing particularly well in urban areas, where pine martens are very rare.”             Katy Bell, Senior Conservation Officer at Ulster Wildlife, said: “Ulster Wildlife has been monitoring these three species for over a decade in Northern Ireland and is delighted to partner once again with the University of Galway to complete the picture on how these species are faring across Ireland. This data will be invaluable to the conservation work for red squirrel and pine marten in Ireland.”             Dr Lawton added: “During our last survey, we received an incredible 3,407 records of the three species from the public. This fantastic wealth of information plays a crucial role in protecting our native biodiversity. We are once again asking our Citizen Scientists to share their sightings, upload photographs and help us understand where these animals are living and how they are faring.” Ends

University of Galway is one of 10 partners in the €6.5 million PEACE-Air project which aims to reduce emissions from solid fuels, road transport and agriculture. PEACE-Air (Partnership for Evidence and Action on Clean Air) is an all-island initiative working to improve air quality and protect public health across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland through evidence-based policy, collaboration and innovation. University of Galway will lead research on air pollution from solid fuel burning with Queen’s University Belfast, to address the common challenge of delivering clean air to improve the health of citizens and the environment. The project focuses on generating robust evidence, supporting policy development and enabling practical actions that lead to cleaner air and better health outcomes for communities. The project was launched at ATU Donegal, marking the beginning of a major cross-border initiative supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACE-Air will address three major sources of air pollution: solid fuel burning, transport emissions, and agricultural ammonia - through a structured programme of scientific research, behavioural insights, community outreach and policy support. The project brings together local authorities, universities, environmental agencies, health organisations and community groups from both jurisdictions, ensuring that its work is grounded in shared priorities and accessible evidence. Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D., attended the launch and said: “I welcome the launch of the PEACE-Air project. Funded by the PEACEPLUS programme, PEACE-Air harnesses unique scientific and research capacity to address the shared cross-border challenge of air pollution. The work of PEACE-Air will help inform strategies to protect the natural environment and ensure clean air for people and communities across the island of Ireland. With a focus on strategic cross-border engagement, PEACE-Air exemplifies the positive public health and environmental impacts that can be achieved through effective North South collaboration.” A team from the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute and School of Natural Sciences at University of Galway will lead the PEACE-Air research on Air Pollution from Solid Fuel Burning, Indoor Air Quality and Community Engagement. Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Director of the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, University of Galway, said: “We are delighted to lead the solid fuels research project of this cross-border initiative that aims to tackle air pollution through strategic engagement, scientific research, and coordinated cross-border action to reduce emissions from solid fuel burning, road transport, and agriculture. “Air pollution does not respect boundaries and pollutants generated in one jurisdiction can negatively impact a neighbouring jurisdiction. However, the issues around air pollution are addressed by each jurisdiction separately and currently there is no cross-border clean air forum for local government, environment agencies, health agencies, policy makers and research scientists. Through the PEACE-Air project, development of joint strategies and aligned policies to reduce air pollution would bring greater efficacy in results.” Particulate matter (PM) is the key air pollutant that affects human health and mortality. Research conducted over the last decade has shown that the burning of solid fuels (coal, peat and wood) for home heating is the major source of PM in towns and cities across Ireland, especially during winter months. The seasonal dependence of PM pollution in Northern Ireland also indicates that residential solid fuel burning is a significant problem. In both jurisdictions, the pollution hot spots are in deprived areas which largely use coal or peat for heating, where fuel poverty is a significant issue. Road transport, and diesel vehicles in particular, are also a major source of PM in urban areas. Transport-related air pollution also includes nitrogen dioxide which is strongly linked with respiratory problems such as asthma. The other major common source of air pollution in Northern Ireland and Ireland is ammonia emissions from agricultural activity which contributes to secondary PM but also negatively impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.   Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of SEUPB, said: “Air pollution is a shared challenge that knows no borders. PEACE-Air will be the first cross-border collaboration of its kind to tackle this challenge. “This funding demonstrates PEACEPLUS in action, bringing experts together to work on delivering positive change which will benefit the lives of so many people across our programme area by protecting and enhancing our natural environment.” Dr Caitriona Strain, General Manager of ERNACT, said: “ERNACT is proud to lead the PEACE-Air partnership and to support a project that places robust evidence, collaboration, and practical action at the centre of efforts to improve air quality across the island. Air pollution is a shared challenge that does not recognise borders, and PEACE-Air provides a unique opportunity to bring together research excellence, public authorities, and communities to inform policy and deliver real, long-term benefits for public health, the environment, and regional cooperation. This project will leave a lasting legacy through the development of a cross-border Strategy and Action Plan for Clean Air, grounded in science and shaped by those most affected.”  The PEACE-Air partnership consists of 10 core partners, including ERNACT (lead partner), Donegal County Council, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Queen’s University Belfast, University College Cork, TU Dublin, University of Galway, Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin, and the Institute of Public Health. Seven associate partners, including the EPA, NIEA, Asthma & Lung UK, the Irish Heart Foundation, and the Environmental Health Association of Ireland, will support delivery and contribute their specialist expertise. Further information can be found on www.peace-air.eu. Ends