July 2007

Pictured at the John McGahern International Seminar at Lough Rynn Castle Hotel, Mohill, Co. Leitrim on Saturday 28 July, 2007 (l to r): Dr John Kenny, Seminar Co-ordinator from NUI Galway; Professor Ger Hurley, Vice-President for Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs, NUI Galway; Olive Braiden, Chairperson, The Arts Council; Séamus O Grady, Director of Adult Education, NUI Galway; and Séamus MacMathúna, Academic Secretary, NUI Galway. NUI Galway, in partnership with Leitrim County Council, have confirmed details of the future of the John McGahern International Seminar, following a hugely successful inaugural event held over the weekend in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. From 2008, the Seminar will extend to include an International Summer School, aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers. The school, which will carry academic credits from NUI Galway, commemorates the life and work of John McGahern. Speaking at the inaugural Seminar, Professor Ger Hurley, Vice-President for Strategic and External Affairs, NUI Galway said: "This programme will be located between Galway and Leitrim and it is our intention that going forward from 2008, this Summer School will become an annual feature of the University's Summer School programme. "Given the impressive scale of interest this year, we envisage attracting high level students of literature and of Ireland who will contribute to our growing knowledge of McGahern, of his homelands, and of the nature of contemporary fiction." Meanwhile, a special book celebrating the longstanding relationship between John McGahern and the University is to be published in the Autumn. John McGahern at NUI Galway contains contributions from a range of University staff including Séamus O'Grady, Director of Adult & Continuing Education; Marie Reddan, Librarian; Fergus Fahey, Archivist; Keith Warnock, Vice-President For Physical Resources, Dr Riana O'Dwyer, Senior Lecturer, English Department; Dr John Kenny, English Department; Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, History Department with an Introduction by Dr Iognáid G. Ó Muircheartaigh, President, NUI Galway. The volume is illustrated, with eight colour portraits of John McGahern by Brian Bourke RHA which were commissioned by NUI Galway, following the deposition of his literary archive in the James Hardiman Library in 2003. ENDS

Dr. John Kenny pictured at the opening address of the John McGahern International Seminar in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim which took place from the 26-28 July, 2007. The inaugural John McGahern International Seminar will be officially opened tonight (Thursday, 25 July), by Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President, National University of Ireland, Galway, in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The opening address, John McGahern: The Novel and the Story, will be given by Professor Declan Kiberd, University College Dublin. Speaking at the opening, Dr Ó Muircheartaigh said; "John McGahern enjoyed a progressively deepening association with our University, over a period of almost 50 years. From a brief period of initial undergraduate studies in 1953 which is so beautifully described in his acclaimed novel, The Dark, he later held positions as a teacher on Creative Writing and Irish Studies Summer Programmes; and eventually became an honorary doctor of the University in 1994 and Adjunct Professor of Irish Studies in 2001. "In 2003, John chose the James Hardiman Library at NUI Galway to be the repository of his Archive, a complete collection of his papers and writings, providing an unparalleled view into a unique literary life. It is entirely fitting, therefore, that to commemorate John McGahern and his life's work, Leitrim County Council and NUI Galway have come together in partnership to organise and launch this inaugural International Seminar here in County Leitrim this evening." Damian Brennan, Cathaoirleach, Leitrim County Council remarked; "Our aim is to bring people closer to the work of John McGahern and, the decision of NUI Galway to commit to this partnership in Leitrim underpins that aim of continuing the dialogue between the place in which John McGahern lived and the university with which he shared his life's work." Speakers during the International Seminar will include Prof. Sylvie Mikowski, University of Reims, France; Dr. James Whyte, Presentation College, Headford, Co. Galway; Dr. Eamon Maher, I.T. Tallaght; and Fr. Liam Kelly, Cavan. There will also be a panel discussion including journalists Susan McKay and Belinda McKeon. Seminar sessions will be held in Carrick-on-Shannon, Aughawillan, Ballinamore and Mohill. The Seminar will also include a boat trip on the Shannon and Boyle rivers and a bus tour of the Aughawillan/Ballinamore area. Further lecture topics at the Seminar include: Amongst McGahern's Women; John McGahern: The Local and the Ordinary and John McGahern and Religion. A series of excerpt readings by actress Ms Marie Mullen will also feature throughout the seminar as well as a viewing of the documentary film John McGahern: A Private World. A detailed schedule for the Seminar can be downloaded from www.nuigalway.ie/iss/John_McGahern.html ENDS

Bunófar Scoil Cosliachta den chéad uair riamh in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. Cuirfidh an Scoil an chéad fhochéim chosliachta sa Stát ar bun agus beidh BSc (Onóracha) i gCosliacht le bronnadh ar chéimithe an chúrsa. Féadfaidh mic léinn iarratas a dhéanamh ar áit ar an gcúrsa ceithre bliana don bhliain acadúil 2008-9 ar aghaidh agus tá sé i gceist glacadh le 25 mac léinn gach bliain. Cuirfidh Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte Clinic Cosliachta ar bun in Ospidéil Réigiúnacha na Gaillimhe ag Páirc na Muirlinne ach is seirbhísí d'othair sa phobal is mó atá i gceist. Beidh comhoibriú idir an Clinic agus an Scoil chun oiliúint agus oideachas cliniciúil an chláir a chur ar fáil. Is iad Dámh an Leighis agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte, OÉ Gaillimh, Cúram Pobail agus Leanúnach Príomhúil na Gaillimhe (PCCC) agus Ospidéil Réigiúnacha na Gaillimhe a d'ullmhaigh an tairiscint seo. Ag labhairt dó i ndiaidh na fógartha, dúirt an tOllamh Jim Browne, Meabhránaí agus Uachtaráin Ionaid, OÉ Gaillimh: "Tá an-áthas orainn anseo in OÉ Gaillimh gur roghnaíodh an Ollscoil seo chun an chéad Scoil Cosliachta i bPoblacht na hÉireann a bhunú. Léiríonn an fhorbairt seo in Iarthar na Tíre an dul chun cinn atá déanta ag Dámh an Leighis agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte agus ag Scoil na dTeiripí a bhfuil cláir chreidiúnaithe den scoth á gcur ar fáil acu cheana i dTeiripe Shaothair agus Teiripe Urlabhra agus Theanga. Ba mhaith leis an Ollscoil buíochas a ghlacadh le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, Limistéar an Iarthair as a gcomhoibriú le fada an lá agus buíochas freisin leis na coslianna gairmiúla i nGaillimh a bhfuil tacaíocht ghníomhach tugtha acu dúinn, gan iad ní bhunófaí an Scoil seo." Fógraíodh bunú na Scoile i ndiaidh comórtas a d'eagraigh an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas. Rinneadh sé thairiscint ar an gconradh chun an Scoil a bhunú agus mhol painéal idirnáisiúnta an conradh a thabhairt do OÉ Gaillimh. D'aithin Tuarascáil FÁS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit Healthcare Skills Monitoring Report, i Lúnasa 2005 gur gairm í an chosliacht a bhfuil easnamh fadtréimhseach inti agus moladh sa Tuarascáil go mbunófaí BSc i gCosliacht. Críoch

A School of Podiatry will be established for the first time at the National University of Ireland, Galway. The School will offer the first undergraduate podiatry programme available in the State and will lead to a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry. Students can apply for entry to the four year course from the academic year 2008-9 onwards and an annual intake of 25 students is planned. A Podiatry Clinic will be developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) located in the Merlin Park campus of Galway Regional Hospitals but will primarily provide services to community based patients. The Clinic will work in partnership with the School to provide for the clinical education and training components of the programme. This bid was jointly prepared and presented by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences NUI Galway, Galway Primary Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) and Galway Regional Hospitals. Speaking following the announcement, Professor Jim Browne, Registrar and Deputy President, NUI Galway said: "NUI Galway is delighted to have been chosen as the location for the first School of Podiatry in the Republic of Ireland. This welcome development for the West of Ireland reflects well on the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the School of Therapies which already provide excellent accredited programmes in Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. The University acknowledges the longstanding co-operation of HSE West and especially the active support of the professional podiatrists in Galway, without whom this would not have been possible." The announcement follows a competition organised by the Higher Education Authority in which six bids were received for the establishment of the School and an international panel recommended awarding the contract to NUI Galway. The FÁS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit Healthcare Skills Monitoring Report of August 2005 identified podiatry as an occupation with long-term supply shortfalls and recommended that a BSc in Podiatry be established. Ends

Pictured at the installation of NUI Galway's Automated External Defibrilator are from left: Alice Daly, NUI Galway Safety Officer; Billy Conroy, Civil Defence Instructor; Melissa O Hea and Anne Marie Flannery, Occupational First Aiders; and Mr Keith Warnock, Director of Safety & Vice President for Physical Resources, NUI Galway. NUI Galway's Student Health Unit, in conjunction with the University has recently installed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on campus, to be deployed in the event of someone having a cardiac arrest. The purpose of the AED pilot project is to have a readily accessible defibrillator on campus to deliver an electric shock(s) to a casualty (where required) to help restore a normal heart rhythm. When someone receives prompt defibrillation in conjunction with proper Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within minutes of a cardiac arrest, their chances of survival are greatly increased. AED's are designed specifically to meet the needs of non-medical rescuers and are simple to use and safe to operate. Studies have shown that in areas where defibrillators are accessible within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates increase to as much as 50%. Within the University currently six (6) staff at the Student Health Unit and ten (10) Occupational First Aiders are trained in the use of the AED, which is based in the student centre, Áras na Mac Léinn. NUI Galway Health and Safety Officer, Alice Daly explains the significance of having an AED on the campus. "NUI Galway in conjunction with the Student Health Unit (SHU) has acquired this defibrillator so that in the event of a critical cardiac condition occurring to staff, students, visitors or others we will have the ability to provide early defibrillation on campus while the emergency services are en-route," she said. "This is a very important first aid development, and relies on the co-operation of the trained staff and the awareness of all NUI Galway staff, students and others in being prepared to respond to any such potential first aid emergencies in their local areas." The provision of AEDs in Universities and Colleges is one of the immediate-medium term recommendations of the 2006 Report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death, and NUI Galway is the fourth Irish University to have an AED on site. The provision of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in workplaces is a recommended (but not yet required) critical first aid measure to increase the survival rates of people who have some form of critical coronary heart disease condition e.g. a cardiac arrest while at work. It is one of the four steps in the recommended chain of survival. The objective of this "chain" is to significantly increase people's chances of survival from such cardiac conditions, which remains the major cause of death in Ireland causing approximately 5,000 deaths annually. ENDS

From left Edel Ní Chureáin, Head of Radió na Gaeltachta; Daráine Ní Mhaoilchichíl and Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President, NUI Galway. Edel Ní Chuireáin, Head of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, will present the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Gold Medal at a ceremony in the President's Office in the National University of Ireland, Galway today (Monday, 12.30 pm). Daráine Ní Mhaoilmhichíl has won the Raidió na Gaeltachta Gold Medal for achieving the highest standard on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach in the National University of Ireland, Galway in 2006. Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, NUI Galway President and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge's Auditor said at the award "On behalf of the National University of Ireland, I would like to congratulate Daráine on receiving the RTÉ Raidió na Gealtachta Gold Medal for her academic achievements, her exceptional work, her diligence and merit as a student on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach here in the National University of Ireland, Galway". Daráine is from Co. Meath. She graduated from Dublin City University in 2004 with a Degree in Communications. She spent periods of work experience with the television production company Telegael and with RTÉ. She is currently working as a researcher with RTÉ on The Summer Den. In 2002, she was awarded the ESB/Rehab Young Person of the Year Award and she is a member of the State Council, working in an advisory capacity to the President. "During the year, Daráine excelled on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach and we were very impressed by her imagination, efforts and energy while she was on the course" said the Administrator of the Aonad Cumarsáide, Rónán Ó Dubhthaigh. The Gold Medal, sponsored by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, is awarded every year to the person who most excels on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach. This course provides students with practical experience in radio and television as well as training in the Irish language, Law and Computer Skills. The students' whole development throughout the course is taken into consideration as well as their academic achievements. The Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach, being held by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, was established thirteen years ago and former winners of the Gold Medal are working with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta as well as other organisations such as TG4, RTÉ (in radio and television), BBC Northern Ireland and Ros na Rún. Ends

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

Pictured at the Ballymun Civic Center Dublin on 6th July 2007 was the presentation of Certificates of Attendance to a group of Ballymun based Students who participated in an NUI Galway Law Course through an interactive video link. The presentations were made by Mr. Pat Carey T.D. Minister for State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht. Pictured left to right were Veronica McDonald, student, Mr. Pat Carey T.D. Minister for State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht, Dr. Padraic Kenna Faculty of Law NUI Galway and Karen Shannon student Mr Pat Carey T.D, Minister for State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will present a group of Ballymun-based students, who participated in an NUI Galway law course through an interactive video link, with Certificates of Attendance on Friday, 9 July 2007, at the Ballymun Civic Centre, Dublin. The Housing Law & Policy course – the first of its kind in Ireland, was developed and presented by Dr. Padraic Kenna of the Faculty of Law, NUI Galway in conjunction with the Ballymun Community Law Centre. The lectures were videolinked in real time to community volunteers, welfare staff, local authority tenants and their representatives, and other interested parties living in Ballymun. Over 12 weeks, the Ballymun group gathered in the Council Chamber Civic Offices to link via video with some 60 Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law students at NUI Galway for the interactive weekly classes. Dr Padraic Kenna, law lecturer at NUI Galway is the author of the definitive work Housing Law and Policy in Ireland. According to Dr Kenna; "An innovative use of the latest technology has allowed NUI Galway to reach out into the heart of a Dublin community where housing law and policies have had such an impact". The course covered the traditional housing and property law areas, such as mortgages and conveyancing, as well as social housing and modern approaches to social inclusion in housing. There was also a focus on preparing participants for active input into the forthcoming Housing Bill. This innovative link-up was facilitated by NUI Galway's Community Knowledge Initiative, which promotes civic engagement among academics, students and the wider community. Since its inception, the Ballymun Community Law Centre has consistently sought to empower the residents and community workers of Ballymun. BCLC Solicitor Frank Murphy, a law graduate of NUI, Galway, described the opportunity to tap into NUI Galway's expertise in the area of housing law as "a unique opportunity". "Participants came from throughout the Ballymun area and the interchange between the students, tenants and Dr Kenna was truly enlightening. On the last night all the students and tenants presented their own papers over the video link and this proved a wonderful culmination of the excellent course," he said. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Kenna for his pioneering work in video-linking his course to us here in Ballymun. The law can only be considered our law if the people are actively involved in it and Dr Kenna is leading the way in making it our law by providing such magnificent access to legal education." Plans are under way to continue the collaboration between NUI Galway and the Ballymun Community Law Centre to offer the interactive course next year. ENDS

Leitrim County Council and National University of Ireland, Galway have announced final arrangements for the forthcoming John McGahern International Seminar which takes place in Co. Leitrim on July 26, 27 and 28, 2007 The opening address, John McGahern: The Novel and the Story, will be given by Professor Declan Kiberd, University College Dublin at the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, on 26 July. Other speakers will include Prof. Sylvie Mikowski, University of Reims, France; Dr. James Whyte, NUI Galway; Dr. Eamon Maher, I.T. Tallaght; and Fr. Liam Kelly, Cavan. There will also be a panel discussion including journalists Susan McKay and Belinda McKeon. Seminar sessions will be held in Carrick-on-Shannon, Aughawillan, Ballinamore and Mohill. The Seminar will also include a boat trip on the Shannon and Boyle rivers and a bus tour of the Aughawillan/Ballinamore area. Speaking at the announcement, seminar coordinator, Dr. John Kenny, Department of English, NUI Galway, said "John McGahern was an extraordinary writer in that he was widely admired by other novelists and short story writers across the world for his sheer patient dedication to the craft of fiction, but was also held in great affection by the Irish readers whose country and localities he so keenly examined in his work. He was one of the major Irish artists of the word alongside Joyce and Beckett, and the seminar will be a fitting testament to his legacy". Further lecture topics at the Seminar include: Amongst McGahern's Women; John McGahern: The Local and the Ordinary and John McGahern and Religion. A series of excerpt readings by actress Ms Marie Mullen will also feature throughout the seminar as well as a viewing of the documentary film John McGahern: A Private World. A detailed schedule for the Seminar can be downloaded from www.nuigalway.ie/iss/John_McGahern.html ENDS

Pictured at their recent conferring ceremony are graduates of NUI Galway's first Clinical Psychology Doctoral degree programme. Back row left to right: Judith McBrinn, Blackrock, Dublin; Samira Hayes, Killarney; Eoin Ryan, Newcastle Galway; Marie Claire Lagendijk, Roscam, Galway. Front Row l-r: Hazel Moore, Kingston, Galway; Elaine Curran, University Road, Galway; Treasa Ní Uiginn, Castleknock, Dublin; Claire Hogan, Blackrock, Dublin; Clare Thynne, Cappagh Road, Galway and Joanne Byrne, Culmore Rd, Derry. NUI Galway has conferred 10 graduates with the Doctor of Psychological Science in Clinical Psychology, the first course of its kind at the University, which is addressing the current shortage of clinical psychologists in the Irish healthcare system. Accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, the three-year, full-time professional training programme enables graduates to work as clinical psychologists in the health service, and is one of four programmes nationally. Course Director, Dr Brian McGuire said: "The course at NUI Galway is making an important contribution to health care in Ireland by training high quality clinical psychologists to provide much-needed services in hospitals and the community. This is a proud moment for the trainees, the course team and our partners in the health service". All trainees are sponsored by the health service and related health agencies for the duration of their training. The programme involves coursework, clinical placements and a research thesis and following completion, graduates work in a range of settings such as adult and child mental health services, community care, intellectual disability services and other specialized services. The partnership approach to the training course will be confirmed later this year with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between NUI Galway and the HSE. Mr Pat Brosnan, Health Services Executive, said clinical psychologists are required to provide therapeutic interventions across all aspects of the health sector, including community and acute hospital settings. "In recent years, the HSE, recognising the need for greater capacity in relation to the provision of psychological interventions, has initiated a more systematic and coordinated approach to post graduate training in clinical psychology. Currently, this approach is being further consolidated and expanded in partnership with four national universities; NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and the University of Limerick. "It is anticipated that this partnership initiative will facilitate an annual output of clinical psychologists to meet current and future demands within the health sector." ENDS

The promotion and maintenance of population health is the focus of the 11th annual Health Promotion Conference, organised by the Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway in collaboration with the HSE Population Health and the Health Promotion Policy Unit, and the Department of Health and Children, at NUI Galway from 5 - 6 July, 2007. The Building Capacity for Evidence-based Health Promotion conference will address the evidence of Health Promotion effectiveness and its translation into policy and practice. The promotion and maintenance of population health is now regarded as being central to social and economic development in most developed countries. Despite the existence of a substantial body of knowledge of effective health promotion interventions that meets internally recognised standards, it is not routinely used to inform health policy. Keynote presentations from international and national speakers, together with workshops and symposia, will be held over the two day event. "The challenge of ensuring that our health promotion policy and practice is based on best available evidence is critical in realising the government's health improvement goals in Ireland" says Margaret Barry, Professor of Health Promotion and Public Health at NUI Galway. The conference will consider capacity building in relation to health promotion evaluation, including demonstrating value for money, and how the health promotion evidence base can be applied in practice. Among the key speakers at the conference include; Dr Viv Speller, Health Development Consultant, UK; Dr Stephan Van Den Broucke, Public Health Executive Agency, European Commission; and Professor Jane Springett, Director of the Institute for Health, John Moores University. "Evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health promotion actions must be translated into guidance for policy and practice, clearly communicated and applied," says UK consultant Dr Viv Speller. The conference includes a symposium on Making the Economic Case for Promoting Health, which will be chaired by Mr. Michael Scanlan, Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children. Among those on the panel include; Professor Martin Knapp, London School of Economics and Professor of Health Economics at the Institute of Psychiatry, King s College London; Ms. Janine Hale, Principal Research Officer (Health Economics), Public Health & Health Professions Department, Welsh Assembly and Professor Eamon O'Shea, Department of Economics, NUI, Galway. ENDS