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