September

Tabharfaidh na Laethanta Oscailte deis do mhic léinn ionchasacha breathnú ar chúrsaí, ar an gcampas agus ar shaol na mac léinn Cuirfidh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe fáilte roimh na mílte mac léinn, tuismitheoirí agus caomhnóirí agus múinteoirí gairmthreorach chuig na Laethanta Oscailte Fochéime áit a bhfaighidh siad eolas faoi dheiseanna staidéir agus faoi shaol an mhic léinn i gcathair na Gaillimhe.  Beidh na Laethanta Oscailte ar siúl Dé hAoine, an 2 Deireadh Fómhair agus Dé Sathairn, an 3 Deireadh Fómhair idir 9am agus 3pm. Beidh deis ag cuairteoirí turas a dhéanamh den champas, foghlaim faoi chúrsaí agus an tacaíocht atá ar fáil, agus labhairt le mic léinn reatha agus leis an bhfoireann.  Foghlaimeoidh cuairteoirí faoi bhreis is 60 clár fochéime agus glacfaidh siad páirt i gclár cainteanna ábhair, gníomhaíochtaí praiticiúla, turais champais, taispeántais agus seisiúin eolais.  Idir Leigheas, Cógaisíocht, Altranas, Innealtóireacht, Gnó, Dlí, Eolaíocht, na Dána agus go leor eile, beidh deis ann tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi réimsí ábhair éagsúla agus faoin raon cúrsaí fochéime atá ar fáil.  Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Sarah Geraghty, Stiúrthóir Earcaíochta Mac Léinn agus For-rochtana in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is é an aidhm atá leis an Lá Oscailte an deis a thabhairt do mhic léinn taithí a fháil ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe iad féin. Is cinneadh mór é ollscoil a roghnú, agus níl aon bhealach níos fearr chun tuiscint a fháil ar áit ná siúl timpeall an champais, bualadh leis na mic léinn agus leis an bhfoireann, breathnú ar na háiseanna agus tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoin méid atá ar fáil.   “Ba mhaith linn go mbeadh ceisteanna ag na mic léinn, go mbeidís fiosrach agus intinn oscailte acu. Beidh mic léinn ann a bhfuil a fhios acu go díreach cad ba mhaith leo a staidéar agus beidh mic léinn eile nach bhfuil cinneadh déanta acu fós. Beidh neart deiseanna ann chun na roghanna a iniúchadh agus a fháil amach cé na deiseanna atá le fáil acu as a gcuid spéiseanna.   “Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe rangaithe i measc an 2% is fearr d’ollscoileanna ar domhan agus rangaithe sa chéad áit in Éirinn maidir lena tionchar ar Spriocanna Forbartha Inbhuanaithe na Náisiún Aontaithe. Tá i bhfad níos mó i gceist le hollscoil a roghnú ná rangú, áfach. Tugann an Lá Oscailte deis do mhic léinn bualadh le pobal na hOllscoile agus eolas a fháil faoi na deiseanna atá ar fáil dóibh laistigh agus lasmuigh den seomra ranga.   "Le breis is 60 clár fochéime agus deiseanna ar nós socrúchán oibre nó staidéar thar lear ar fáil ar níos mó ná 90% dár gcúrsaí, is é an chloch is mó ar ár bpaidrín an t-eolas, an taithí agus an mhuinín a theastaíonn uathu don todhchaí a thabhairt do mhic léinn. Agus tá i bhfad níos mó i gceist le saol na hollscoile ná an méid a tharlaíonn taobh istigh den seomra ranga. Le breis is 115 cumann mac léinn agus 47 club spóirt, tá an oiread sin deiseanna ann do mhic léinn bualadh le daoine nua, spéiseanna nua a aimsiú agus a bheith mar chuid dár bpobal.”   Beidh réimse gníomhaíochtaí ar siúl ar fud an champais i rith an dá lá, agus beidh deis taithí phraiticiúil a fháil, ceisteanna a chur agus tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi chúrsaí agus faoi shaol na mac léinn.   I measc na mbuaicphointí, áirítear iad seo a leanas:  Altranas & Cnáimhseachas: Téigh isteach sna spásanna oiliúna cliniciúla in Áras Mhaighe Seola agus faigh blaiseadh den oiliúint atá le fáil i dtimpeallacht chúraim sláinte fíorshaoil.  Dlí: Tabhair cuairt ar Sheomra Bréagchúirte na hOllscoile agus faigh tuilleadh eolais faoi staidéar a dhéanamh ar an Dlí.  Leigheas: Bain triail as do scileanna cliniciúla, ó éisteacht le buillí croí go tástálacha digiteacha cluaise agus súl.  Eolaíocht & Innealtóireacht: Tabhair cuairt ar áiseanna den scoth agus faigh léargas nach bhfuil oscailte don phobal ar áiseanna Fisice, Ceimice agus Innealtóireachta na hOllscoile.  Drámaíocht: Tá blaiseadh den fhuinneamh cruthaitheach le fáil in Ionad Uí Dhonnchadha sna máistir-ranganna agus turais.  Spórt: Buail leis an bhfoireann spóirt, faigh amach faoi dheiseanna chun dul san iomaíocht ag an leibhéal is airde agus foghlaim faoi scoláireachtaí spóirt.  An Ghaeilge: Féach ar áiseanna Gaeilge na hOllscoile le turas treoraithe as Áras na Gaeilge.  Saol na Mac Léinn: Buail le mic léinn reatha agus foghlaim faoi chlubanna, cumainn, spórt, tacaíocht agus gníomhaíochtaí atá ar fáil sa saol lasmuigh de na léachtaí.  Lóistín: Faigh tuilleadh eolais faoi na roghanna éagsúla lóistín atá ar fáil agus faoi shaol an mhic léinn i nGaillimh.  Fisic & Ceimic: Tabhair cuairt ar shaotharlanna Fisice agus Ceimice na hOllscoile agus faigh tuilleadh eolais faoin teagasc, foghlaim agus taighde sna réimsí seo.   Is féidir clárú anois. Is féidir le mic léinn ionchasacha clárú don Lá Oscailte, an clár iomlán a íoslódáil agus tuilleadh eolais a fháil anseo www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays.   Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil seol ríomhphost chuig: opendays@universityofgalway.ie   Críoch   

The Open Days will give prospective students the opportunity to explore courses, campus and student life  University of Galway will welcome thousands of prospective students, parents and guardians and guidance counsellors to its Undergraduate Open Days to find out more about study opportunities and life as a student in Galway city.  The Open Days will take place on Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd, from 9am to 3pm, with visitors able to explore the campus, find out about courses and supports, and talk to current students and staff.  Over two days, visitors can learn about more than 60 undergraduate degree programmes and take part in a programme of subject talks, hands-on activities, campus tours, demonstrations and information sessions.  From Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and Engineering to Business, Law, Science, Arts and beyond, there will be opportunities to find out more about different subject areas and the range of undergraduate courses available.  Sarah Geraghty, Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach at University of Galway, said: “Open Day is all about giving students the opportunity to experience University of Galway for themselves. Choosing a university is a big decision, and there is no better way to get a sense of a place than by walking through the campus, meeting our students and staff, exploring the facilities and finding out more about what is available.  “We want students to come along with questions, curiosity, and an open mind. Whether they already know exactly what they want to study or are still deciding, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore their options and discover where their interests could take them.  “University of Galway is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide and is ranked number one in Ireland for our impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There is much more to choosing a university than rankings, however. Open Day gives students the opportunity to meet the people who make up our community and find out about the opportunities available to them both inside and outside the classroom.  “With more than 60 undergraduate programmes and over 90% of our courses offering opportunities such as work placements or study abroad, we are focused on giving students the knowledge, experience and confidence they need for the future. And university life is about much more than what happens in the classroom. There are more than 115 student societies and 47 sports clubs for students to get involved in, offering so many opportunities for students to meet new people, discover new interests and become part of our community. The growth we are seeing in student participation shows how important these opportunities are, with membership of our four Gaelic Games clubs, for example, doubling over the past year.”  There will be a range of activities across campus throughout both days, with opportunities to get hands-on, ask questions and find out more about courses and student life.  Highlights include: Nursing & Midwifery: Step inside the clinical training spaces at Áras Moyola and discover what it is like to train in a real-world healthcare environment. Law: Visit the University's Moot Courtroom and find out more about studying Law. Medicine: Try your hand at clinical skills, from listening to heartbeats to digital ear and eye examinations. Science & Engineering: Explore state-of-the-art facilities and get behind the scenes in the University's Physics, Chemistry and Engineering facilities. Drama: Experience the creative energy of the O'Donoghue Centre with masterclasses and tours. Sport: Meet the sports team, find out about opportunities to compete at elite level and learn more about sports scholarships. As Gaeilge: Explore the University's Irish-language facilities with a guided tour from Áras na Gaeilge. Student Life: Meet current students and discover clubs, societies, sports, supports and activities that make up life beyond the lecture theatre. Accommodation: Find out more about the different accommodation options available and what it is like to live as a student in Galway. Physics & Chemistry: Visit the University's Physics and Chemistry laboratories and find out more about teaching, learning and research in these areas.  Registration is now open. Prospective students can register for Open Day, download the full programme and find out more at www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays.  For further information, contact opendays@universityofgalway.ie.  Ends

Researchers from University of Galway are part of an international team testing the feasibility of restoring deep-sea coral habitats damaged by bottom trawling by installing 3D-printed artificial reefs. Twenty-three artificial reefs have been placed on the deep seabed off the south-west Porcupine Bank, off the west coast of Ireland and in the Bay of Biscay, France, as a contribution to the Horizon Europe project ‘REDRESS’ (Restoration of deep-sea habitats to rebuild European Seas). The current campaign is part of, a three-year mission known as the REDECOR (REstauration DEs CORaux d'eau froide), involving collaboration between researchers from University of Galway, Ifremer and the Sorbonne University in France.  The expedition to deploy the artificial reefs took place on board L’Atalante, a vessel of the French Oceanographic Fleet, during August. Reefs were placed at depths between 900 and 1100m off the Porcupine Bank, and in the Guilvinec Canyon, Bay of Biscay, where other reefs installed during the 2025 expedition were also monitored. Monitoring of both Irish and French restoration sites is planned next year on board an Irish research vessel. Dr Anthony Grehan, a deep-sea ecologist at University of Galway and co-leader of the mission to the Porcupine Bank, said: “These deep-sea coral reefs provide vital habitat for a diversity of marine life, but many have been damaged over many years. Because these corals grow by only a few millimetres each year, natural recovery of lost reefs can take decades to centuries. With this project, we are testing whether we can actively accelerate that recovery by creating new starter structures for corals to grow on which also mimic reef structure to help re-establish functioning reef habitats. The early results are very encouraging, and if we can show that these approaches work, it could open up new possibilities to scale up the restoration of damaged coral reefs elsewhere in the Atlantic and beyond.” While cold-water coral reefs are regarded as being less well-known than their tropical cousins, they provide important habitats for marine life and support biodiversity in the deep-sea including fish. The corals however are quite fragile and easily damaged by deep-sea trawling. While recent fisheries and conservation regulations prohibit trawling in many areas where corals are found, the issue now is how to return damaged areas to full health. Marie-Claire Fabri, a research engineer in deep-sea benthic ecology at Ifremer and co-leader of the Bay of Biscay region expedition, said: “Preserving these areas alone is not enough; the active restoration of cold-water corals is urgently needed. The ban on bottom trawling has helped stop the direct pressure on these habitats, but to go further - given the slow growth of these corals in the Atlantic - just a few millimeters per year—we cannot simply wait for them to recover on their own.” The artificial reefs are eco-designed cylinders made from low-carbon concrete incorporating volcanic material. Each 3D-printed structure is approximately 80cm high and 100cm in diameter, weighing around 600kg. They provide structurally complex physical microhabitats including tunnels, ledges and overhangs, that offer shelter and provide surfaces for corals and other marine life to colonise. The reefs are placed individually on the seabed, rather than together to form a single connected structure covering an area of about half a hectare. Researchers will monitor the sites over the coming years through photography, video and 3D mapping to assess how the coral and other marine life develop on and around the reefs. Different approaches are being tested as part of the research. Some reefs were equipped with oyster shells, ceramic plates and tiles to encourage coral larvae to settle naturally, while others were fitted with fragments (‘nubbins’) of living coral. The living coral fragments were collected from the ocean in depths of around 950 metres. Once brought to the surface, they were kept in seawater tanks under conditions designed to replicate their natural environment. Small branches were then taken from the colonies and attached to oyster shells before being anchored on the artificial reefs. The team is focusing its research on the two principal reef-forming species of cold-water coral, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata. The aim is to see whether the coral can survive and establish new colonies or enhance the attractiveness of the artificial reefs for colonisation by coral larvae.   Encouragingly, researchers found that the coral fragments, known as nubbins, which were placed on the artificial reefs during the REDECOR 2025 mission are still alive. The reefs have also been colonised by a range of marine species, including sea urchins, fish, crabs and crinoids. The research will also monitor seawater conditions, sediment and chemical contaminants. This will help improve understanding of the conditions needed for healthy coral growth and assess the potential impact of climate change and ocean acidification on restoration efforts. Both restoration sites are now protected from further damage by bottom trawling. The SW Porcupine Bank restoration site is protected under the European Common Fisheries Policy, where trawling is prohibited at depths greater than 800 metres. The Guilvinec Canyon in the Bay of Biscay is a Natura 2000 site where trawling is also prohibited. REDECOR forms part of the European REDRESS (Restoration of deep-sea habitats to rebuild European Seas) project, which is bringing together 27 partners from 15 countries to investigate the restoration of damaged deep-sea habitats across Europe. The research is funded by the European Union through the REDRESS project, the French Oceanographic Fleet, Ifremer and the Sorbonne University. REDRESS partners from the UK, Iceland and Italy have also installed the same artificial reef modules in their restoration sites in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean which will provide a pan-European perspective on the feasibility of using these reefs to actively promote restoration of areas where coral habitat has been damaged. The researchers expect that results from REDECOR and REDRESS will help inform implementation of the new European Nature Restoration Law which provides targets to restore damaged areas of sponge, coral, and coralligenous algae. Ends

Scientists at University of Galway have taken part in a first-in-human study on stroke patients using a thin wire fitted with sensors to assess and map the clot they have experienced.  The study involved the use of a guidewire called Clotild, which has been developed by medtech company Sensome. It can navigate arteries through a catheter, with tiny electrical sensors built into its tip, moving through a clot and continuously measuring how well different tissues conduct a small current. Red blood cells, platelets and arterial walls each have distinct electrical "fingerprints" which can be individually identified in real-time by the device’s prediction model.  Some 41 people who had suffered a large vessel occlusion stroke were enrolled in the trial at hospitals in Australia and France to assess the performance of the device and how it reports the clot.  The trial was led by Dr Andrew Cheung of Liverpool Hospital, NSW, Australia and Aymeric Rouchaud, France, with a device developed using clot analysis by Professor Karen Doyle, University of Galway and the Research Ireland funded Rinn Medical Devices Centre.  Professor Karen Doyle said: "This first-in-human study represents an important step forward in how we understand and treat stroke patients. Being able to characterise clot composition in real time, during the procedure itself, has real potential to help clinicians tailor their approach to treating each patient and improve outcomes. It's been a privilege to contribute to the research underpinning this trial, and to see fundamental device research translated into a technology now being tested directly in patients."  Every year, millions of people globally suffer a stroke caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. The gold standard treatment is a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy, where a tiny device is threaded through blood vessels to physically pull the clot out. Research has shown that removing a clot in a single pass dramatically improves a patient's chances of recovery. While this method can be successful, surgeons go in almost blind, knowing very little about the clot they are about to tackle, what it is made of, or where exactly it ends.  The trial is the first time a potential solution to this issue has been tested in humans.  The possibility of removing a clot in one pass depends partly on clot composition: clots rich in red blood cells behave differently to those packed with platelets. Until now, the only way to find this out was to analyse retrieved clot fragments under a microscope following a procedure - too late to change the surgical strategy.  The results from the trial were unambiguous: not a single patient experienced a vessel perforation or dissection, the most feared complication of guidewire use in the brain.  On performance, Clotild proved remarkably accurate. Its ability to distinguish red-blood-cell-rich clots from platelet-rich ones scored 0.97 and 0.94 respectively on a standard accuracy scale where 1.0 is perfect.  The device was also able to detect the artery wall and the far end of the clot, information a surgeon could use to gauge clot length without injecting contrast dye.  One of the most striking demonstrations came when the team reconstructed a full compositional "map" of a clot based on Clotild's continuous readings as it passed through. The map, showing which sections were red-blood-cell-rich and which were not, matched what histology later revealed about the retrieved clot fragments.  Dr Cheung said: “This trial shows that impedance-based clot characterisation is not only feasible but can be integrated safely into standard procedure. It's the result of a genuinely international effort, and I want to thank our collaborators across Australia, France, USA and Ireland, for their contribution to the device development and data analysis that made these results possible."  Dr Franz Bozsak, CEO of Sensome, said: "Bringing Clotild from concept to first-in-human trial has depended on close collaboration between industry and academic research partners. The expertise contributed by our academic partners across the globe has been invaluable in helping us validate and refine the science behind this technology. This kind of partnership is exactly how we believe medical devices should be developed, grounded in rigorous academic research and tested rapidly in clinical settings."  Professor Doyle added: “As a proof of concept this is compelling. The vision is a future where, before a surgeon even selects a retrieval device, they already know exactly what kind of clot they are dealing with, giving stroke patients a meaningfully better chance of getting it out first time.”  The research paper associated with the trial can be accessed on the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery https://jnis.bmj.com/content/early/2026/04/30/jnis-2025-024772 Ends  

An artist-designed elephant sculpture has been installed at Shannon College of Hotel Management as part of the international mental health initiative, Elephant in the Room. The ‘Elephant for Sarah’ was officially launched in the atrium of Shannon College by Brent Pope, co-founder of the Elephant in the Room initiative, a social movement using public art to spark open, honest conversations about mental health. He addressed the college students about the importance of normalising discussions around mental wellbeing and seeking support. Shannon College of Hotel Management alumna, Maeve O’Keeffe’s niece Sarah died by suicide following a struggle with her mental health. Maeve’s family has donated the ‘Elephant for Sarah’ to the college in her memory. Sarah’s sister, Anna O’Farrell, is channelling her grief into a powerful force for good, raising funds to create a small herd of Elephant in the Room sculptures in memory of her beloved sister. To date, Anna has raised over €86,000 as part of this collaboration with the movement and Shannon College is honoured to receive an elephant in Sarah’s memory. Anna O’Farrell said: "We chose Shannon College because we want every student there to know that they can come and ask for help, and to be open about how they're feeling rather than hide it. That's exactly what Sarah would have wanted for others, because she felt she couldn't do that herself." Brent Pope, Co-founder of Elephant in the Room, said: “Everyone has an ‘Elephant in the Room’, and this initiative is about starting conversations early before they develop into larger issues impacting students’ wellbeing. It’s also about encouraging kindness - we never know what someone else might be going through in their day or life. Many young people only seek mental wellbeing support at a crisis stage, so early intervention is vital. We need to normalise discussions around mental wellbeing and make it a daily priority, just like physical health. “This initiative aims to give young people better tools to navigate life’s challenges, particularly within the learning environment, while fostering a culture of inclusion and care. “We are very grateful to Anna O'Farrell for donating this elephant sculpture to the college in memory of her beloved sister Sarah, through the Elephant for Sarah initiative.” Orla Cullinane, Associate Head of Student Welfare in Shannon College of Hotel Management, said: “Shannon College of Hotel Management is delighted and very honoured to be involved in the Elephant in the Room initiative. “The elephant who will have pride of place in our college atrium will serve as a visible reminder that conversations about mental health should never be hidden or avoided. As a college community, we recognise and sadly have experience of the profound impact of suicide and loss, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, compassionate environment where every student feels they belong, are supported, and can speak openly without fear of judgement. We hope this initiative encourages our students and staff to check in with one another, seek support when needed, and keep the conversation going.” Founded by Brent Pope and Eoin Byrne in 2021, Elephant in the Room has grown from a grassroots idea into an international initiative. Brightly painted, artist-designed baby elephant sculptures are placed in prominent locations as visible symbols of hope, permission, and care, letting people know they are in a place that supports mental wellbeing and a reminder that it’s okay to talk. Maeve O’Keeffe graduated in 1991 and her daughter Molly Wallace has just started her 4th year at Shannon College of Hotel Management.   Read more about the 'Elephant for Sarah' here:  www.universityofgalway.ie/shannoncollege/student-life/. For more about Elephant in the Room visit: www.elephantintheroom.ie. Ends

New research from University of Galway, Longford Women's Link and Teagasc has identified nine policy priorities to better support women-led innovation in Irish farming and rural areas.  The research is presented in a series of policy briefs, developed as part of the three-year FLIARA project- Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas which was funded under Horizon Europe.  The research led to the development of recommendations across areas including finance, skills, digitalisation, gender inclusion, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), generational renewal, representation, women's empowerment and work-life balance – all of which are focused on supporting women-led innovation in Irish farming and rural areas.  The policy priorities come against a backdrop of persistent gender inequalities in agriculture. According to the European Commission, women account for 31% of beneficiaries of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) but receive just 15% of total CAP payments, while men, who account for 63% of beneficiaries, receive 69% of funding. Farm income statistics also show female-run farms earned an average of €18,700 per worker in 2023, 42% less than male-run farms, with the income gap widening that year.  Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands North-West, launched the FLIARA Policy Briefs and said: "As the European Parliament's lead negotiator on generational renewal in farming, I see every day how much we need the evidence in front of us if we're serious about building a fairer future for Irish and European agriculture. These policy briefs put women's experience and innovation at the centre of that conversation, and I'm proud to launch a series that gives policymakers like me the tools to act, not just acknowledge the problem."  The policy briefs are published to coincide with the United Nations International Year of the Woman Farmer, a global initiative highlighting the contribution of women to agrifood systems and the need to address the barriers they face. They will be shared with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Rural and Community Development, as well as Local Action Groups, the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association and women’s farming organisations  The Irish FLIARA team is led by University of Galway’s Professor Maura Farrell and includes Dr Aisling Murtagh and Louise Weir (University of Galway), Tara Farrell (Longford Women's Link) and Anne Kinsella (Teagasc).  Professor Maura Farrell, School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at University of Galway and lead on the FLIARA project, said: “In this year of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we are delighted to produce a policy brief series that reflects not only the needs of women farmers in Ireland but also what is needed by women engaged in innovation both on and off farms. This series translates the lived experience of the women who took part in FLIARA into clear, actionable recommendations, and we hope it gives policymakers the evidence they need to make Irish and European agriculture a genuinely more inclusive place to work and innovate.” The nine policy issues identified are: Access to Finance at the right level and at the right time is important to the development of women-led rural and farm innovation. Education and Skills Training opportunities should be better tailored to the needs of women-led rural and farm innovation. Women's Empowerment: Greater policy focus is needed to address barriers to equality between men and women and support women's participation in rural and farm innovation. Better Leverage of Digitalisation: Policy should better support women in agriculture and rural areas and use digitalisation to empower them. Improved Gender Inclusion in Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS): Services should better recognise women's needs and the gender-related impacts of AKIS interventions. CAP and Gender: Women should be recognised as equal partners across each element of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-27, to incentivise and recognise their current and future roles and potential. Generational Renewal: Addressing the gender gap is part of the wider challenge of generational renewal and the future sustainability of Irish farming. Strengthening the Voice of Rural and Farm Women: Better representation of women in governance and decision-making is needed to improve gender equality. Work-Life Balance: Policy action is needed to support women balancing work, family and wider life demands.  Dr Aisling Murtagh, co-researcher on the FLIARA project at University of Galway, said: "Women are already driving innovation across Irish farms and rural businesses, often without the recognition or support to let it flourish. These briefs give policymakers a concrete starting point for closing that gap."  The recommendations draw on research and engagement with women farmers, rural innovators and other stakeholders throughout the FLIARA project, including case studies, policy assessment and future foresight research.  Professor Farrell continued: "Combining foresight work, case studies and direct engagement with women farmers, we offer recommendations that are grounded and forward-looking, not a list of problems, but a roadmap for more inclusive agricultural policy.”  The full report and nine policy briefs are available at: Ireland's FLIARA Policy Briefs    Ends  

University of Galway’s Arts in Action 2026-2027 programme returns this week with free events, workshops and partnerships with arts organisations in the west. A flagship public arts, performance and creative engagement programme of the University of Galway, Arts in Action prides itself on the strong partnerships it has built from year to year. With a new home at the University of Galway’s Institute for Creativity, the upcoming programme spans arts forms from theatre to music, film to comedy, as well as conversation, talks and hands-on workshops. The programme includes 15 free events, 3 workshops and partnerships with TULCA Festival of Visual Arts, Theatre of the Oppressed Festival, Music for Galway, MusicConnects, Culture Night and Galway City Council. Highlight events include: Opening the programme on September 11th, writer Sam Fowley and poet and University of Galway alumna Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha will deliver readings of their works related to the theme of the associated research symposium ‘Water Ways: Water in Flux in Ireland and Beyond’. On Culture Night, September 18th, ‘What about M.E.?’, supported by Galway City Council, features four short plays that give an insight into the thousands of people in Ireland who live with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long-Covid, written by people living with these illnesses. On November 5th, The Pale Blue Dot, a Music for Galway performance by Elevation Ensemble, will reimagine the extraordinary cultural time capsule of the Voyager Golden Records that were affixed to NASA’s Voyager spacecrafts launched in 1977 as humanity’s message to the cosmos. This unique multimedia performance includes new music by Irish composers Linda Buckley and Jonathan Nangle. In December, a MusicConnects event ‘3 Kinds of Music’ will feature Galway guitarist and composer Aengus Hackett, MusicConnects’ Ensemble in Residence, ConTempo Quartet and the In Flow Gamelan Group – an ensemble of talented adults with Intellectual Disabilities, facilitated by That’s Life and supported by Corlann Services, Galway. Throughout October and November, artist Maeve Curtis and author Mike McCormack will lead deep-listening workshops responding to MusicConnects’ season of music. In partnership with TULCA Festival of Visual Arts, internationally renowned artist, photographer, writer and cultural producer Del LaGrace Volcano will give a live artist talk and presentation on November 12th as part of TULCA 2026: Veruca Salt. In comedy, The Accidental Activist, is a quick-witted show about the Climate Crisis by Irish comedian Diane O’Connor. Róisín Stack’s No Woman is an Island will also display sharp humour and considers the relationship between productivity and identity. Talks include a lecture by Professor Helena Grehan (Edith Cowen University) on Theatre; a presentation by Uruguayan actress, educator, and social activist Sabrina Speranza; and an hour with Alfrun Rose, writer, actor, and producer of major productions including Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Documentary film Monarca from North to South: Migrant Audiovisual Memory, gathers the memories, songs and experiences of Nicaraguan composers exiled in Costa Rica. The screening will be followed by a discussion with historian and executive producer Dr Antonio Monte Casablanca. Florian Schneider, Director of the Institute for Creativity, University of Galway, said: “Arts in Action has a formidable legacy within the University of Galway as a major cultural initiative of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies.  “As the programme enters a new phase of development, we are delighted that Arts in Action will now reside under the institutional banner of the Institute for Creativity, the University’s recently established interdisciplinary hub for creative innovation, research, and societal engagement. “Our plan over the coming years is to position Arts in Action as a cross-disciplinary, strategic programme for the University, strengthening links with curriculum, teaching and learning. We also want to further develop existing and new partnerships with community, cultural and creative groups and organisations, and build national and international recognition for this fantastic cultural programme.” Marianne Ní Chinnéide, Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway and Artistic Director and Head of Production and Curation for Arts in Action, said: “The University is delighted to present this year’s Arts in Action. I have curated a programme of events, lectures, talks, showcases and workshops where creative practice meets research and teaching, that embodies University of Galway’s commitment to integrated, research-led, and socially engaged artistic practice and arts education.  “Looking back over Arts in Action programmes throughout the years, a rich legacy has been formed between the University and the artistic community of all art forms, throughout the Galway region and across Ireland. I would like to sincerely thank all of our strategic partners who co-fund the programme - our university colleagues and researcher community, and festival and arts organisations – making this programme accessible to all. The reach of this programme at the intersection of research disciplines and, art form development and the live art event, is a unique model nationally and I can’t wait to share it with you all.”  Founded by the late Mary McPartlan, the Arts in Action programme was established to create a space where artistic excellence, cultural dialogue and public participation could flourish. The programme provides opportunities for staff, students, artists, researchers, community and arts organisations as well as audiences to encounter innovative artistic work, artistic research and engage in critical conversations about contemporary society.  Arts in Action events will take place at the University’s O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, the Bank of Ireland Theatre and the Siobhán McKenna Theatre.  All events are free and open to staff, students and the wider community. Registration is required. The full programme with booking details is available here.  Ends

Scientific study reveals unexpected links between anti-cancer drugs and antibiotic effectiveness Scientists from University of Galway have uncovered a surprising link between commonly used anti-cancer drugs and antibiotics that could offer a potential new approach to tackling notorious superbug infections. The research team set out to find new ways to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – better known as MRSA infections - using drugs that are currently ineffective due to antibiotic resistance – a growing challenge in healthcare. The study investigated whether a range of anti-cancer drugs could help penicillin-type antibiotics, which are among the most widely used antibiotics, to become effective again. The study was carried out by researchers Dr Aaron Nolan, Sarah Byrne, Dr Merve Zeden and Professor James O’Gara from the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at University of Galway.   The team tested five anti-cancer drugs and revealed that four of them (5-fluorouracil; 5-fluororidine; gemcitabine; and mitomycin C) helped penicillin-type antibiotics to kill MRSA. These drugs interfere with the bacteria’s ability to make DNA, making the bacteria more vulnerable to the antibiotics. A fifth anti-cancer drug which was tested (6-thioguanine) had the opposite effect and reduced the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Although this drug also affects DNA production in MRSA, it works in a different way, which may explain the different effects. Dr Aaron Nolan, Postdoctoral Researcher and lecturer in Microbiology, explained: "We discovered several anti-cancer drugs that helped antibiotics to kill MRSA. But we also identified one anti-cancer drug that interfered with antibiotic effectiveness highlighting the importance of carefully prescribing the most appropriate antibiotic in patients undergoing chemotherapy."  Sarah Byrne, PhD Researcher in Microbiology, said: “The antibiotic resistance crisis is one of the world's most urgent health challenges. These findings are particularly important for patients with cancer who may need treatment for bacterial infections while also taking chemotherapy drugs.” MRSA is a type of S. aureus bacteria that has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics, making infections more difficult to treat. The findings also suggest that drugs already used to treat cancer could potentially be used alongside antibiotics to help them work against resistant bacteria. Assistant Professor in Microbiology Dr Merve Zeden said: "Our findings suggest that certain drugs originally developed for cancer treatment may have the potential to be repurposed alongside antibiotics. This could offer a new strategy to re-sensitise bacteria that have become resistant to existing treatments." The findings build on the team's ongoing research, which has identified the process of DNA production as a vulnerability in MRSA. By interfering with this process, some of the anti-cancer drugs tested in the study appear to make the bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics. The discovery opens new avenues for research into combination therapies that pair antibiotics with non-antibiotic drugs. Such approaches could help extend the lifespan of existing antibiotics and provide new options for infections caused by bacteria resistant to traditional antibiotic treatments. Professor of Microbiology at University of Galway, James O'Gara, said: “We are excited by this discovery, which advances our long-term goal of finding new ways to boost the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against superbugs like MRSA. Because this approach relies on existing medications rather than developing completely new drugs, it could provide a faster route towards developing new strategies to improve patient care." The paper is published in mBio, the flagship journal of the American Society for Microbiology, is available at https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01274-26. Ends

 University of Galway will host the 51st Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium on September 4th and 5th 2026.  The Symposium is recognised as Ireland’s largest Surgical Conference and is held in memory of Galway-born Surgeon Sir Peter Freyer, who performed the first successful operation to remove an enlarged prostate in 1900. It comprises research and education sessions across various surgical subspecialties, two keynote addresses and a discussion forum about emergency surgery in Ireland.  The keynote addresses at this year’s event will be delivered by two internationally recognised surgeons from the UK and Ireland. Professor Shafi Ahmed will deliver the Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture - Intelligent: The Evolution of AI Transforming Healthcare, on Friday, September 4th; and Professor Helen Heneghan will deliver the State of the Art Lecture - The Changing Landscape of Obesity Treatment: Personalised Approaches to Optimise Surgery and Outcomes, on Saturday, September 5th.  Professor Shafi Ahmed is a surgeon, educator and healthcare innovator and known for pioneering the use of technology in medicine. He has helped shape the future of surgical training through his work in digital health, virtual reality and medical education and has delivered more than 350 keynote presentations in more than 70 countries. Professor Ahmed is a Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon specialising in colorectal cancer at The Royal London and St Bartholomew’s Hospitals. He is also Professor of Strategic Innovation at Bolton University, Honorary Professor of Practice at UCL Global Business School for Health and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London.  Professor Helen Heneghan is a Consultant Bariatric and General Surgeon at St Vincent’s University Hospital and Professor of Surgery at University College Dublin. A graduate of the University of Galway, she completed her basic surgical training at Galway University Hospital and was awarded a PhD by the University in 2012. She is the Surgical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for Obesity and President and co-founder of the Society for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Ireland.   The 51st Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium will also host the first telesurgery training event for surgeons and surgical trainees.   Professor Ahmed will unveil for the first time a new global AI platform, designed to change how surgeons learn, develop and navigate their careers. Surgeon.AI is the first global surgical training platform being launched in Ireland and represents a significant milestone for the Irish Medtech and AI Surgical Innovation sectors. The platform brings surgical education, career development and personalised learning into a single AI-powered platform designed to support surgeons from medical school and training through to consultant or attending level. The platform includes a proprietary AI-driven algorithm designed to track how an individual’s surgical knowledge and capabilities develop over time by using artificial intelligence to make high-quality, personalised surgical education more accessible to surgeons around the world.    The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) will provide surgical trainees and surgeons in Galway with the opportunity to remotely operate the Sentire Surgical System located at its Robotic Surgery and Research Centre in Dublin. Supported by University of Galway and Cornerstone Robotics, the workshop will demonstrate the potential of telesurgery to expand access to robotic surgery education and training across Ireland.  Professor Michael Kerin, Professor of Surgery at University of Galway and President of RCSI, who is hosting the event with his colleague Professor Stewart Walsh, Chair of Surgery at University of Galway, said: “We are honoured to welcome Professor Ahmed and Professor Heneghan to the University of Galway. Professor Ahmed’s pioneering work in digital health, virtual reality and healthcare innovation will provide an important perspective on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in medicine. It is also a pleasure to welcome Professor Heneghan back to Galway. As a graduate of the University and a former trainee at Galway University Hospital, she has become a leading clinician in bariatric and metabolic surgery. Her lecture will address one of the most important challenges facing modern healthcare.  “We are particularly proud to host the pioneering telesurgery training workshop, in collaboration with RCSI and Cornerstone Robotics UK, which highlights how innovation and collaboration can expand access to advanced robotic surgery education and training across Ireland.  “Both lectures form the centrepiece of a large programme showcasing some of the finest surgical research this country has to offer. The Conference marks the start of the academic year and has long been a mainstay of the national academic surgical community, underpinned by the contributions of Consultants and Trainees from across every specialty in Irish surgery. We are also delighted to welcome the RCSI Council, who will hold their out-of-town meeting at University of Galway during the event.”   Ends 

Tá sé fógartha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe go bhfuil triúr léachtóirí nua ceaptha i Roinn na Gaeilge. Tá saineolas ar leith tugtha ag an Dr Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill, an Dr Colm Ó Cuaig agus an Dr Oisín Ó Muirthile chuig an Ollscoil sna réimsí seo a leanas: an béaloideas, an Nua-Ghaeilge Mhoch, an Léann Ceilteach agus an teangeolaíocht stairiúil. Cuirfidh na léachtóirí nua leis an teagasc agus leis an taighde i Roinn na Gaeilge agus leis an bpleanáil le haghaidh MA nua sa Ghaeilge, a thabharfaidh deis do mhic léinn ardstaidéar a dhéanamh ar theanga, ar litríocht agus ar chultúr na Gaeilge. Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin MA sa Ghaeilge atá beartaithe ar fáil anseo. Tá an Dr Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill ceaptha i Roinn na Gaeilge mar Léachtóir le Béaloideas. Bhí sí i gceannas ar Léann na Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh roimhe seo. Chuir sí PhD i gcrích in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe in 2018. Bronnadh Gradam Scoláireachta Fulbright uirthi in 2023-24 chun taighde béaloidis a dhéanamh in Ollscoil Indiana Bloomington sna Stáit Aontaithe. Is í an Dr Nic Giolla Chomhaill údar An Chaora Ghlas agus Scéalta Eile as Seanadh Farracháin (2016). I measc a cuid spéiseanna taighde tá scéalta iontais arna n-insint ag scéalaithe ban in Éirinn agus in Albain le linn an 20ú haois, béaloideas agus éiceolaíocht, imirce agus an traidisiún béil. Tá an Dr Colm Ó Cuaig ina shaineolaí ar an Nua-Ghaeilge Mhoch (1200-1650 CE). Chuir sé PhD sa Nua-Ghaeilge i gcrích in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe in 2017 sular thosaigh sé ag obair le hAcadamh Ríoga na hÉireann, áit ar oibrigh sé ar Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge. Tá sé ina chomheagarthóir ar Dúchan: Blúirí ó Fhoclóir Mháirtín Uí Chadhain (2025). I measc a chuid spéiseanna taighde tá digitiú acmhainní Gaeilge agus úsáid na hintleachta saorga i múineadh agus i dtraidisiún lámhscríbhinní na hÉireann. Is saineolaí é an Dr Oisín Ó Muirthile ar na teangacha Ceilteacha agus an teangeolaíocht stairiúil. Bhronn Ollscoil Harvard PhD air as a chuid taighde ar fhorbairt theangeolaíoch na Gaimise-na Caintise (Seiltis), teanga Thaistealaithe na hÉireann. Tá sé ina chomheagarthóir ar Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium (2022 agus 2023). Tá sé ceaptha mar Léachtóir leis an Léann Ceilteach. Beidh múineadh agus taighde ar litríocht na Sean-Ghaeilge (700-900 CE) agus na meánaoise mar chúram air. Dúirt an tOllamh Rióna Ní Fhrighil, Ceann Roinn na Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Cuirfidh na ceapacháin nua seo le leithne ár gcuid taighde agus teagaisc i Roinn na Gaeilge. Leagann an t-earcú seo béim ar thiomantas Ollscoil na Gaillimhe do léann na Gaeilge, idir theanga, litríocht agus chultúr. Cuirimid fáilte ó chroí roimh ár gcomhghleacaithe nua agus táimid ag tnúth le bheith ag obair leo ar thionscadail teagaisc agus taighde a bheas nuálach agus spreagúil.” Cuir aithne ar an triúr léachtóirí nua agus faigh amach faoin taighde agus teagasc atá ar bun acu anseo. Críoch

University of Galway has announced the appointment of three new lecturers to Roinn na Gaeilge. Dr Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill, Dr Colm Ó Cuaig and Dr Oisín Ó Muirthile have joined the University, bringing their highly-regarded expertise across folklore, Early Modern Irish, Celtic Studies and historical linguistics. The new lecturers will contribute to teaching and research in Roinn na Gaeilge, including planning for a new MA sa Ghaeilge offering advanced study in Irish language, literature and culture. Further information on the MA sa Ghaeilge is available here. Dr Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill joins Roinn na Gaeilge as Lecturer in Folklore, having previously served as Head of the Discipline of Irish at University of Limerick. She completed her PhD in Modern Irish at University of Galway in 2018. She was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Irish Scholar Award in 2023-24 to conduct folklore research at Indiana University Bloomington in the US. Dr Nic Giolla Chomhaill is the author of An Chaora Ghlas agus Scéalta Eile as Seanadh Farracháin (2016). Her research interests include wonder tales narrated by female storytellers in Ireland and Scotland during the 20th century, folklore and ecology, emigration and the oral tradition. Dr Colm Ó Cuaig joins as a specialist in Early Modern Irish (1200-1650 CE). He completed his PhD in Modern Irish at University of Galway in 2017 before joining the Royal Irish Academy, where he worked on the Historical Dictionary of Irish. He is co-editor of Dúchan: Bluirí ó Fhoclóir Mháirtín Uí Chadhain (2025). His research interests include the digitisation of Irish-language resources and the use of artificial intelligence in the exploration and teaching of the Irish manuscript tradition. Dr Oisín Ó Muirthile is a specialist in Celtic languages and historical linguistics. He was awarded a PhD from Harvard University for his research on the linguistic development of Irish Traveller Gammon-Cant (Shelta). He has co-edited the Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium (2022 and 2023). He joins as Lecturer in Celtic Studies, where he will teach and research Old Irish (700-900 CE) and medieval Irish literature. Professor Rióna Ní Fhrighil, Head of Roinn na Gaeilge at University of Galway, said: “This recruitment exercise presents exciting opportunities to expand the intellectual reach and impact of our research and teaching activities. These new appointments to Roinn na Gaeilge underline University of Galway’s commitment to top-class scholarship and teaching in Irish language, literature and culture. We welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working with them on innovative and dynamic teaching and research projects.” Watch the three new lecturers introduce themselves and discuss their research and teaching interests here. Ends