Ó chlé Edel Ní Chureáin, Ceannaire, Radió na Gaeltachta; Daráine Ní Mhaoilchichíl agus Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, Uachtarán, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. Bronnfaidh Ceannaire RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Edel Ní Chuireáin, Bonn Óir RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ag ócáid in Oifig an Uachtaráin in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh inniu (Dé Luain, 12.30 san iarnóin). Tá Bonn Óir Raidió na Gaeltachta buaite ag Daráine Ní Mhaoilmhichíl, as an gcaighdeán is airde a bhaint amach ar an Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh sa bhliain 2006. "Ba mhaith liom thar ceann Ollscoil na hÉireann comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh le Daráine ar bronnadh Gradam Bonn Óir RTÉ Raidió na Gealtachta uirthi mar gheall ar a cuid éachtaí acadúla, an obair eisceachtúil, an díograis agus an diongbháilteacht a léirigh sí agus í mar mhac léinn ar an Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach anseo in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh" a deir an Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh & Reachtaire an Acadaimh ag an mbronnadh. Is as Baile Trasna, Cill Dhéalaí, Co. na Mí, Daráine. Bhain sí Céim amach sa Chumarsáid in 2004 in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Chaith sí tréimhse ar thaithí oibre leis an gcomhlacht léiriúcháin teilifíse Telegael agus le RTÉ. Faoi láthair, tá sí fostaithe mar thaighdeoir le RTÉ ar an gclár The Summer Den. In 2002, bronnadh Gradam BSL/Rehab Ghaiscíoch Óg na Bliana uirthi agus tá sí mar bhall den Chomhairle Stáit a chuireann cúnamh agus comhairle ar fáil don Uachtarán. "D'éirigh thar barr le Daráine ar an Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach i rith na bliana agus bhí muid thar a bheith tógtha leis an tsamhlaíocht, iarracht agus fuinneamh a léirigh sí i rith an bhliain a chaith sí linn" a dúirt Riarthóir na Cumarsáide, Rónán Ó Dubhthaigh. Bronntar an Bonn Óir, atá urraithe ag RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, go bliantúil ar an té is fearr a dhéanann dul chun cinn ar chúrsa an Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach. Is cúrsa é seo a chuireann oiliúint phraiticiúil ar mhic léinn i gcúrsaí raidió agus teilifíse, i dteannta le hoiliúint i gcúrsaí Gaeilge, Dlí agus Scileanna Ríomhaireachta. Ní critéir acadúla amháin a chuirtear san áireamh i mbronnadh an Bhoinn Óir ach forbairt iomlán an mhic léinn le linn an chúrsa bliana seo. Tá an tArd-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach atá á reáchtáil ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge ar bun anois le trí bliana déag agus tá iarbhuaiteoirí ag obair le RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta chomh maith le heagraíochtaí ar nós TG4, RTÉ idir raidió agus teilifís, BBC Thuaisceart Éireann, agus Ros na Rún. Críoch

A major international research project into the possible causes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is being led by NUI Galway lecturer Dr. Thomas Barry, at the Department of Microbiology. The joint molecular and clinical exploration of mycoplasmas and other bacteria that may play key roles in triggering MS is being funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society New York. Neurology Professor Edward Hogan of NUI Galway and the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Augusta, Georgia, USA will also be involved in the research which will involve the application of molecular probes to detect traces of mycoplasma DNA in human MS tissue samples. Initial studies of such DNA in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and blood of MS patients are now being followed by investigating the possibility that mycoplasma infection in humans causes an auto-immune or allergic reaction producing MS inflammatory lesions in brain and spinal cord. Mycoplasmas may incite reactions causing damage to the myelin that is the insulating sheath of nerve fibers in the nervous system. The work aims to clarify the role of infection in the occurrence of MS that is a serious and costly disease, affecting the emotional, social and financial needs of many Irish families. The research holds the potential to discover the causes of MS, thereby enabling a more specific and effective treatment to be developed than those currently in use. ENDS

Acadamh na hOllscolaíocha Gaeilge, NUI Galway's national Irish language pioneering institute, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marianne Ní Chinnéide as Administrator of Visual Arts (Riarthóir na dTaibh-Ealaíon). Ms Ní Chinnéide brings over 10 years of education and experience in arts and media to her new role in An tAcadamh and she looks forward to developing An tAcadamh's current courses in the field of drama and acting and to developing an exciting range of innovative music, drama and dance courses over the coming years. Speaking of her new position, Ms Ní Chinnéide said: "I am delighted to be involved with Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge here at NUI Galway which is going through such an inspiring phase of growth, development and innovation. I also look forward to this exciting challenge of developing and providing first rate courses in the area of visual arts." The two courses currently being offered by An tAcadamh under the management of Ms Ní Chinnéide are the 'Dioplóma san Aisteoireacht (2007/08) and the 'Ard Dioplóma sa Drámaíocht (2007-09). Both courses are very practical and offer the student high quality training from professionals already working in the respective fields. The courses are suitable for all those interested in visual arts as well as European theatre. Marianne Ní Chinnéide herself graduated from University College Dublin with an honours Degree in German and Irish and then completed the 'Ard Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach' as well as a 'Masters in Drama and Theatre Studies' at NUI Galway. Before joining the staff of An tAcadamh, Marianne worked extensively in the arts and media field with An Taibhdhearc, Macalla Teo., TG4 and Gael Linn. For the past five years Marianne has held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre and Arts Centre in Tralee, Co. Kerry. She is also a board member of Samhlaíocht Chiarraí, who organise both the Samhlaíocht Easter Arts Festival and the Kerry Film Festival. Applications for courses mentioned above are being accepted at present. For more information contact Marianne Ní Chinnéide, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway. Tel: 091-869103 Email: marianne.nichinneide@oegaillimh.ie Ends

Cúis áthais d'Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, institiúid náisiúnta cheannródaíoch na hOllscolaíochta trí Ghaeilge in OÉ Gaillimh, a fhógairt go bhfuil Marianne Ní Chinnéide ceaptha mar Riarthóir na dTaibh-Ealaíon. Tá breis agus 10 mbliana caite ag Marianne Ní Chinnéide ag plé leis na healaíona agus na meáin agus tá sí ag súil le líon na gcúrsaí atá á reáchtáil ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge i réimse na drámaíochta agus na haisteoireachta a fhorbairt amach anseo. Chomh maith leis sin, tá sé ar intinn aici raon cúrsaí nuálacha ceoil, drámaíochta agus damhsa a fhorbairt sna blianta amach romhainn. Seo a leanas a bhí le rá ag Marianne Ní Chinnéide agus í ag labhairt faoina ceapachán nua: "Tá ríméad orm a bheith ag obair le hAcadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge anseo in OÉ Gaillimh; Acadamh atá anois ag fás, ag forbairt agus ag dul ó neart go neart. Ina theannta sin, táim ag tnúth leis an dúshlán a bhaineann le cúrsaí den chéad scoth a sholáthar i réimse na dtaibh-ealaíon." Is iad an dá chúrsa atá á riaradh ag Marianne Ní Chinnéide thar ceann an Acadaimh an Dioplóma san Aisteoireacht (2007/08) agus an tArd-Dioplóma sa Drámaíocht (2007/09). Is cúrsaí praiticiúla iad seo ina gcinntítear go bhfaigheann gach mac léinn oiliúint ar ardchaighdeán ó ghairmithe atá ag obair sna réimsí éagsúla seo cheana féin. Tá na cúrsaí seo feiliúnach do dhaoine ar spéis leo na taibh-ealaíona mar aon le cúrsaí amharclainne na hEorpa. Bronnadh céim onóracha sa Ghearmáinis agus sa Ghaeilge ar Marianne Ní Chinnéide ón gColáiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath. Ina dhiaidh sin, chuaigh sí i mbun staidéir in OÉ Gaillimh, áit ar bronnadh Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach agus Masters in Drama and Theatre Studies uirthi. Tá seantaithí ag Marianne ar a bheith ag obair i réimse na n-ealaíon agus na meán. Chaith sí seal ag obair leis an Taibhdhearc, Macalla Teo., TG4 agus Gael Linn. Le cúig bliana anuas tá Marianne ag obair mar Phríomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin le Siamsa Tíre, An Daonamharclann Náisiúnta agus Ionad Ealaíon i dTrá Lí, Co. Chiarraí. Chomh maith leis sin, is ball de bhord Shamhlaíocht Chiarraí í Marianne. I measc na n-imeachtaí a eagraíonn Samhlaíocht Chiarraí tá Féile Ealaíon na Cásca agus Féile Scannán Chiarraí. Táthar ag glacadh le hiarratais le haghaidh na gcúrsaí thuasluaite faoi láthair. Is féidir tuilleadh eolais a fháil ó Marianne Ní Chinnéide, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh. Guthán: 091 - 869103 Ríomhphost: marianne.nichinneide@oegaillimh.ie CRÍOCH

The Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS) at NUI Galway received a huge boost yesterday when it was awarded more than €3 million to expand its research capability into coastal and marine environment science by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of Ireland, Mr Eamon Ryan T.D. The Griffith Geoscience Research Awards aim to develop Irish research capacity to support energy, environment, marine and infrastructural aspects of the Government's National Development Plan (NDP). The largest of the 8 awards was given to a mixture of teaching and research staff in the newly-formed Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences and the Environmental Change Institute in NUI Galway. Dr. Colin Brown, Project Manager, commented that: "The Griffith Award will provide us with 3 additional research staff, 6 post-graduate students and funding for 16 undergraduate projects that we need so we can get to grips with the NDP priorities which affect us on the west coast of Ireland. We're delighted because the award will strengthen our links with the Geological Survey of Ireland who are managing the Griffith scheme and because it's a vote of confidence in the way our research and under-graduate teaching has been re-aligned to 21st century national priorities". Dr Brown explained: "4 or 5 years ago we recruited staff whose expertise is in the science of marine and terrestrial environments, necessary to understand, for example, how to protect surface and ground-water quality, develop strategies to cope with climate-driven sea-level rise, secure indigenous sources of energy and manage offshore seabed mineral and biological resources". He added, 'One project in the research programme will establish the chemistry and pathways connecting water flows, particularly those underground, between limestone areas in Galway and Clare with coastal waters. The outcome will help to understand the effects on sensitive coastal ecosystems and provide the basis for sustainable management of the coastal zone. "Another project will use data collected by the Geological Survey of Ireland and others to understand the composition and transport of seabed sediments. This is important for offshore engineering, dredging, locating routes for telecom cables or oil and gas pipelines and construction of wind farms. Surprisingly, it's even important for estimating marine biodiversity and establishing protected areas for fisheries management". Professor S. Gerard Jennings, Director of the Environmental Change Institute, NUI Galway, which is managing the research programme said, "This is exactly the type of investment we need to enhance facilities and infrastructure in environmental science in the West of Ireland. It should be a significant impetus in attracting students and researchers to the field of Geoscience in the region". ENDS