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Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Invasive Noble false widow now among the most common spiders in Irish cities

Nationwide survey shows invasive spider thriving in urban centres The invasive Noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis) is now one of the most common urban spiders in Ireland, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Galway. Researchers surveyed urban spider populations across the Republic of Ireland to identify the most common species and the environmental factors influencing their diversity and abundance. The study found that the Noble false widow and the long-established missing sector orb weaver (Zygiella x-notata) accounted for more than 80% of urban spider populations. Remarkably, the Noble false widow is now well established even in counties such as Mayo and Sligo, where it was previously unrecorded. The findings, been published in Ecology and Evolution, highlight Ireland’s understudied urban habitats, as well as the potential negative impact of the Noble false widow on native spider species Brandon Collier, doctoral researcher at University of Galway and first author of the study, said: “This research provides a framework for studying a largely overlooked habitat for invasive and medically important species. As human populations increase year after year, urban areas grow with them. Understanding the impact this has on native species in Ireland provides essential knowledge for preventing and managing invasions in more fragile environments like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.” Rapid global trade has allowed more spider species to spread beyond their native ranges to become cosmopolitan and, occasionally, invasive. False widows and their relatives, the black widows, have led this trend, with implications for human and environmental health. While the strong venom potency and medical importance of certain widow spiders is well documented, their ecological impact has been harder to determine. To better understand urban spider populations, researchers developed a visual survey framework that could be applied internationally to monitor invasive species. The scientists are calling for the Noble false widow spider to be officially recognised as an invasive species under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s guidelines because of its rapid spread and potential impact on native spiders. The research was carried out by established and postgraduate scientists from the University of Galway, with funding through the University’s Hardiman Scholarship held by Brandon Collier. Mr Collier added: “Now more than ever, we need to evaluate the threat of potentially invasive spider species and formulate a global action plan to prevent negative impacts on sensitive native species. Collaborating with international research groups has allowed us to begin the dialogue, but implementing policy changes in affected regions is essential to preventing future wide-spread invasions.” Dr Michel Dugon, Head of the Venom Systems Lab at University of Galway and senior author of the study, said: “The populations of Noble false widows have exploded throughout Western Europe in the past two decades, and the species has been recently observed in New Zealand, South America, the US, and North Africa. Our next step is to understand the physiological adaptations of the species to better predict other areas at risk of invasion.” Dayle Leonard, doctoral researcher at University of Galway and co-author of the study, said: “This research highlights a threat to biodiversity that is largely ignored. We were able to show how though Irish weather varies greatly, spider diversity is more affected by the seasons, food, and, potentially, the presence of the invasive Noble false widow spider. There are global implications with the spread of the Noble false widow across continents, so providing insight into its dominance and its impact in urban environments is vital.” The full study in Ecology and Evolution is available at https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73193. Ends

News Archive

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

University of Galway Tax Clinic and Galway credit unions launch free tax support partnership

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Pláinéad eile timpeall ar réalta óg aimsithe ag mac léinn réalteolaíochta

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Astronomy student discovers second planet around young star

Monday, 23 March 2026

Tá Gradaim Aitheantais bronnta ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ar scoláirí ar éirigh leo pas le gradam a bhaint amach i scrúduithe ardleibhéil Gaeilge na Sraithe Sóisearaí. D’fhreastail os cionn 400 scoláire as 64 scoil i gCo. Dhún na nGall, Co. an Chláir, Co. Mhaigh Eo, Co. Liatroma, Co. Shligigh, Co. Ros Comáin agus Co. na Gaillimhe ar ócáid speisialta a reáchtáladh i Halla Bailey Allen, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na héachtaí a bhain siad amach. Áirítear na scoláirí seo i measc an 8.3% de scoláirí na tíre ar éirigh leo pas le gradam a bhaint amach sa pháipéar ardleibhéil T2 Gaeilge go náisiúnta, nó an 8.8% de na scoláirí a bhain pas le gradam amach sa pháipéar ardleibhéil T1 Gaeilge sa tSraith Shóisearach in 2025. Dúirt Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí eatramhach Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Becky Whay: “Is mór an onóir dúinn ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na héachtaí a bhain na scoláirí eisceachtúla seo amach sna scrúduithe ardleibhéil Gaeilge sa tSraith Shóisearach anuraidh, agus na gradaim seo a bhronnadh orthu. Tá an Ghaeilge thar a bheith tábhachtach dúinn anseo in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus tá muid thar a bheith bródúil as na daoine óga cumasacha seo atá inár dteannta ag an ócáid speisialta seo tráthnóna inniu.” Chuir Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, Oifigeach Gaeilge na hOllscoile, fáilte mhór roimh na scoláirí, a gclanna agus a gcuid múinteoirí agus dúirt sí: “Tá sé iontach ar fad go bhfuil ar ár gcumas éachtaí na scoláirí eisceachtúla seo a cheiliúradh. Ba cheart go mbeidís an-bhródúil as an méid atá bainte amach acu agus go mbeidís airdeallach freisin faoi na deiseanna a bheidh acu a bhuíochas don Ghaeilge sna blianta rompu. Tugann sé ardú croí dúinn go bhfuil sárchumas sa nGaeilge ag an nglúin óg agus go gcinnteoidh siad gur ó neart go neart a thiocfaidh sí sna blianta romhainn. Comhghairdeas libh go léir.” Aithnítear an tábhacht a bhaineann lena chinntiú go mbeidh pobail bhisiúla Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht i gcéad straitéis Ghaeilge na hOllscoile, Straitéis na Gaeilge 2021-2025. Tugadh aitheantas do na pobail sin ag an ócáid cheiliúrtha seo ceithre bliana as a chéile agus an Ollscoil ag déanamh cúraim don ról a chuir sí roimpi sa Straitéis, ó thaobh ceannasaíocht a thabhairt don ardoideachas i nGaeilge agus meas a léiriú ar lucht labhartha na Gaeilge. Críoch

Monday, 23 March 2026

University of Galway has presented Special Gaeilge Recognition Awards to students who achieved a distinction in Higher Level Irish in their Junior Cycle examination. Over 400 students from 64 schools across Donegal, Clare, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon and Galway attended a special event on campus to recognise and celebrate their achievements. These students are among the 8.3% of students nationwide who achieved a distinction in the higher level T2 Irish paper, or the 8.8% of students who achieved a distinction in the higher level T1 paper in the 2025 Junior Cycle examinations. University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Becky Whay said: “It is our privilege to celebrate these students’ outstanding achievements in their higher-level Irish Junior Cycle examinations last year, and to present them with these special recognition awards. The Irish language is incredibly important to us here in University of Galway and we are very proud of these accomplished young people who are joining us at this special event this evening.” Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, University of Galway’s Irish Language Officer, welcomed the students, their teachers and families to the celebratory event, saying: “It’s wonderful be able to recognise the achievements of all the students. They should be very proud of what they have accomplished and mindful of the opportunities that the Irish language will bring in the years ahead. It is truly uplifting to see the next generation with such exceptional ability, ensuring that the Irish language goes from strength to strength. Comhghairdeas libh go léir.” The importance of thriving Irish-speaking communities in the Gaeltacht and beyond is recognised in the University’s first Irish language strategy, A Strategy for the Irish Language 2021-2025. These communities have been recognised annually over the past four years at this event with the University fulfilling its role in leading higher education in the Irish language and showing Irish speakers respect, as is set out in the Strategy. Ends

Thursday, 19 March 2026

University of Galway economist calls for a stronger focus on homegrown entrepreneurs, innovation and talent for high living standards Ireland’s economic model is in need of urgent reform to sustain high standards of living for future generations, research from University of Galway has warned. The study raises the spectre of global investment patterns shifting due to geopolitical developments, leaving Ireland increasingly depend on home-grown technological progress to drive income growth. The research - commissioned by Stripe founders John and Patrick Collison - shows that the Irish economy has one of the highest productivity rates in the world, with decades of growth driving rising incomes and high living standards. It notes that over the past 50 years, real income per person has tripled, rising from about €17,500 in 1970 to over €53,000 in 2023, with economic growth largely driven by foreign direct investment (FDI) from the United States. Author of the report, Professor of Economics at University of Galway, Alan Ahearne, echoed warnings that Ireland is heavily reliant on a relatively small number of foreign-owned multinational companies. The study states that Ireland urgently needs to build a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem to improve its track record at forging indigenous high-growth firms with the potential to develop innovative products and services based on advanced technology. Professor Alan Ahearne, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway, said: “The most important ingredient for a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem is human capital and talent. Ireland, which in the past has used tax policy to attract physical capital from abroad (FDI), should now consider how to use tax policy to attract human capital from abroad to augment our existing talent base.” In a statement to coincide with the publication of the research, Stripe founders John and Patrick Collison, said: “We welcome this research and its empirical contribution to the discussion around Ireland’s economic future. In an increasingly competitive and volatile world, putting in place the systems and conditions to accelerate scientific and technological progress will be critical for future living standards in Ireland.” The research pointed to the crucial role of talent and human capital in creating and fostering self-reinforcing clusters of innovation. Among the policy levers available to Irish policymakers, the research paper noted the potential use of tax policies to attract skilled professionals from abroad, similar to approaches recently introduced in other countries, and that they will likely prove the most impactful. The report is available here. Ends