Thursday, 10 November 2016

NUI Galway is delighted to host a major international academic conference as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme , entitled 1916-2016: The Promise and Challenge of National Sovereignty. As the Centenary year draws to a close, this conference, which is free and open to the public, offers an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the year and to explore what it means to be a republic in the 21st century. The conference, which opens today Thursday, 10 November will be held in the Bailey Allen Hall until Saturday, 12 November, with contributions from leading Irish and international scholars, reflecting on a century of national sovereignty and examining how the Irish State has delivered on the promise of Easter 1916. At the opening of the Conference, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. said: "The idea for a major academic conference came from the expert advisory group on commemorations, which we set up when we entered government in 2011, chaired by Dr Maurice Manning. This conference is about the new scholarship of 2016 – an exploration of what we know at the end of the Centenary Year that we didn’t know before. Over the course of the last twelve months, what began as reflections on patriotism became conversations about political values and civic culture. We thought we were looking at the past, but it turned out that we are more interested in looking to the future, but a future based on the finest values of the past. The Centenary Year – and this national conference in Galway - gives us the opportunity to articulate and define what this generation must do to create a legacy worthy of the legacy bequeathed to us." Speaking at the opening address, President of NUI Galway, Dr Jim Browne, said: “For the next three days, NUI Galway is proud to be the venue for a landmark moment in this year of national reflection as we host the academic conference, Ireland 1916-2016: The Promise and Challenge of National Sovereignty. As the centrepiece of The Centenary Conversations this conference is intended to round off this special year and to begin a conversation about Ireland’s identity and choices for the next 100 years. We will reflect on a century of national sovereignty and examine how the Irish State has delivered on the promise of Easter 1916 and we’ll be prompted to question what the future holds for Ireland as a small nation state on the periphery of Europe, in an increasingly globalised world. NUI Galway is pleased to host this important national conversation and I am particularly pleased that the all universities on the island of Ireland are represented in the conference programme… along with institutes of technology, other colleges, independent scholars and cultural institutions.” The conference will feature a host of internationally-renowned academics, historians and special guests, and will explore and debate some of the most important issues and challenges facing us today.  The conference will be opened by An Taoiseach and participants will include Minister Humphreys, Professor Roy Foster (University of Oxford), Professor Philip Pettit (Princeton University), Professor Louise Richardson (University of Oxford), Professor Clair Wills (Princeton University), Fintan O’Toole, and Professor Brendan O'Leary (University of Pennsylvania), as well as academics from across the entire third level sector in Ireland. Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys T.D. added: “This conference at NUI Galway is one of the final flagship events of this centenary year, and it will provide us with an important opportunity to reflect on the year to date and to consider what’s next. We will hear from some of the leading historians who helped to us to understand the events of 100 years ago, and we will also consider the impact the centenary celebrations have had on our views of culture and identity. My focus has is now turning to the legacy we can build for the future, with a renewed focus on culture and creativity as central to Irish life.” A specially curated Fringe programme of talks, exhibitions, performances and special events will also take place in NUI Galway and in venues across the city.  Highlights of the fringe programme include: Ceann Comhairle, Hector Ó hEochagáin will convene a special sitting of the 2116 Parliament, where ten guest speakers will deliver a five-minute motion to the Assembly, after which questions may be taken from the floor. Look beyond the headlines and seek out the complicated and sometimes inconvenient truth in The Experts Bite Back, where experts fact-checks claims by politicians and the media on recent controversial issues and in a mission to get to the truth of the matter. Award-winning 16 x 16 Next Generation artist Sian Ní Mhuirí presents 16 and Rising, the story of a secret revolutionary organisation of women and men who gather in a basement to plan an insurrection that will transform the city, and challenge the survival of the 32nd Dáil. Host of the popular Hedge School series, Tommy Graham comes to Galway with the History Ireland Hedge School: All Changed, Changed Utterly … from 1916 to Brexit. A discussion with a difference, and considerable good humour! Those who may be interested in attending this free event can find a full Conference Programme here and Registration details here or see www.ireland.ie -Ends-  Mórchomhdháil Chomórtha Céad Bliain ag oscailt in OÉ Gaillimh Cúis áthais do OÉ Gaillimh go mbeidh mórchomhdháil acadúil idirnáisiúnta ar siúl anseo, mar chuid de Chlár Comórtha Céad Bliain ar 1916, dar teideal Éire 1916-2016: Gealladh agus Dúshláin na Ceannasachta Náisiúnta. Agus deireadh ag teacht leis an gComóradh Céad Bliain, deis atá sa chomhdháil seo, atá saor in aisce agus oscailte don phobal, le breathnú siar ar oidhreacht na bliana agus machnamh a dhéanamh faoin gciall atá le poblacht san 21ú haois. Cuirfear tús leis an gcomhdháil inniu Déardaoin, an 10 Samhain, i Halla Bailey Allen agus beidh sí ar siúl go dtí Dé Sathairn, an 12 Samhain. Beidh scoláirí mór le rá as Éirinn agus níos faide i gcéin ag labhairt ag an gcomhdháil faoi chéad bliain de cheannasacht náisiúnta agus faoin gcaoi a bhfuil Stát na tíre seo ag comhlíonadh ghealladh na Cásca 1916. Agus an Chomhdháil á hoscailt aige, dúirt an Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D.: "Tháinig an smaoineamh faoi mhórchomhdháil ó shainghrúpa comhairleach ar chomóradh faoi chathaoirleacht an Dr Maurice Manning, a bhí bunaithe againn nuair a thosaigh an rialtas seo in 2011. Bun agus barr na comhdhála seo is ea scoláireacht nua 2016  – scrúdú ar an méid atá foghlamtha againn faoi dheireadh Bhliain an Chomórtha. Thosaíomar amach dhá mhí dhéag ó shin le machnamh ar thírghrá agus anois tá plé againn faoi luachanna polaitiúla agus cultúr cathartha. Shíleamar gur ag breathnú ar an am a caitheadh a bhíomar, ach i ndáiríre is mó suim atá againne san am atá le teacht, ach é a bheith bunaithe ar ardluachanna an am a caitheadh. Deis atá i mBliain an Chomórtha – agus sa chomhdháil náisiúnta seo i nGaillimh - cur síos a dhéanamh ar an méid a chaithfidh an ghlúin seo a dhéanamh chun oidhreacht shaibhir a chothú agus a chruthú." Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an Dr Jim Browne mar óráid tosaigh:“As seo go ceann trí lá, is mór an onóir do OÉ Gaillimh an chomhdháil acadúil a bheith ar siúl anseo, Éire 1916-2016: Gealladh agus Dúshláin na Ceannasachta Náisiúnta. Ag croí na comhdhála seo beidh Comhráití an Chéid chun clabhsúr a chur le bliain speisialta agus tús a chur le comhrá faoi aitheantas na hÉireann agus a cuid roghanna as seo go ceann céad bliain. Breathnófar siar ar chéad bliain ceannasachta náisiúnta agus déanfar scrúdú ar an gcaoi a bhfuil Stát na hÉireann ag comhlíonadh ghealladh na Cásca 1916. Iarrfar orainn machnamh a dhéanamh faoi thodhchaí na hÉireann mar stát beag ar imeall na hEorpa agus muid ag feidhmiú níos mó ar leibhéal domhanda anois ná a bhí riamh. Is mór an onóir do OÉ Gaillimh go mbeidh an comhrá náisiúnta seo ar bun anseo agus táim an-sásta go mbeidh ionadaíocht ag gach ollscoil ar oileán na hÉireann i gclár na comhdhála… mar aon le hinstitiúidí teicneolaíochta, coláistí eile, scoláirí neamhspleácha agus institiúidí cultúir.” Beidh lucht acadúil a bhfuil cáil idirnáisiúnta orthu mar aon le staraithe agus aíonna speisialta i mbun cainte ag an gcomhdháil agus déanfar plé ar chuid de na deacrachtaí agus na dúshláin is mó atá romhainn sa lá atá inniu ann.  Osclóidh an Taoiseach an chomhdháil agus i measc na rannpháirtithe beidh an tAire Humphreys, an tOllamh Roy Foster (Ollscoil Oxford), an tOllamh Philip Pettit (Ollscoil Princeton), an tOllamh Louise Richardson (Ollscoil Oxford), an tOllamh Clair Wills (Ollscoil Princeton), Fintan O’Toole, agus an tOllamh Brendan O'Leary (Ollscoil Pennsylvania), chomh maith le lucht acadúil as earnáil tríú leibhéal na hÉireann. Dúirt an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta Heather Humphreys T.D.: “Tá an chomhdháil seo ag OÉ Gaillimh ar cheann de na hócáidí móra deireanacha sa bhliain chomórtha seo agus is deis thábhachtach a bheas inti breathnú siar ar an mbliain go dtí seo agus ar an méid atá le teacht. Cloisfimid ó staraithe mór le rá a chuidigh linn tuiscint a fháil ar imeachtaí 100 bliain ó shin agus déanfaimid machnamh ar an tionchar a bhí ag an gcomóradh céad bliain ar ár ndearcadh faoi chultúr agus féiniúlacht. Tá an bhéim anois ar an oidhreacht a d'fhéadfaí a chruthú don todhchaí, agus béim láidir ar an gcultúr agus ar an gcruthaitheacht i saol na hÉireann.” Beidh clár Imeallach cainteanna, taispeántas, léirithe agus imeachtaí speisialta ar siúl chomh maith in OÉ Gaillimh agus in ionaid eile timpeall na cathrach.  Seo a leanas cuid de bhuaicphointí an chláir: Tabharfaidh an Ceann Comhairle, Hector Ó hEochagáin, Parlaimint 2116 le chéile áit a labhróidh deichniúr cainteoirí ar rún áirithe ar feadh cúig nóiméad don Tionól. Beidh ceisteanna ón urlár ansin. Beidh deis féachaint ar chúrsaí reatha an lae le The Experts Bite Back, imeacht ina seiceáiltear fíricí a rinne polaiteoirí agus na meáin maidir le hábhair chonspóideacha le déanaí agus fírinne an scéil a fhiosrú. Ealaíontóir í Sian Ní Mhuirí a bhfuil gradam buaite aici do 16 x 16 Next Generation. Cuirfidh sí 16 and Rising inár láthair - scéal faoi eagraíocht rúnda ban agus fear a thagann le chéile in íoslach chun éirí amach a phleanáil a athróidh an chathair agus a chuirfidh an 32ú Dáil i mbaol. Tá Tommy Graham, a chuireann an tsraith Chois Chlaí i láthair, go Gaillimh le Scoil Chois Claí History Ireland: All Changed, Changed Utterly … from 1916 to Brexit. Plé neamhghnách a bheas anseo lán le greann agus le gáire! Tá Clár iomlán na Comhdhála le fáil anseo agus tá sonraí Clárúcháin le fáil anseo nó féach www.ireland.ie -Críoch-

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

€12 million network includes six universities and global healthcare leaders Unilever and GE Healthcare Network aims to assist 240 SMEs in Ireland and Wales CALIN a new €12 million life science network to assist Irish and Welsh businesses to innovate, was announced today by Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford. CALIN (Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network) a collaborative programme led by Swansea University’s Medical School is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme. CALIN aims to engage and assist over 240 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) throughout Ireland and Wales by offering open access to a unique strategic international partnership involving six world leading higher educational institutions and global healthcare leaders Unilever and GE Healthcare. The six higher educational institutions are: University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Tyndall National Institute and University College Cork in Ireland; and Bangor University, Cardiff University and Swansea University in Wales. Through CALIN, Welsh and Irish businesses will have access to a powerful knowledge base and technological infrastructure enabling accelerated innovation and access to a network of key stakeholders including those involved in supply chains, route-to-market and end-user healthcare providers. CALIN’s aim is to drive smart sustainable growth in advanced life sciences in both Ireland and Wales, by undertaking a large number of collaborative R&D projects, and through these generating new jobs and attracting investors into the cross-border regions. The Welsh Government’s Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “Life science is a key sector in Wales and Ireland and this funding will support research and development, which is vital to the creation of new products, technology and jobs. “It is excellent news for more than 240 small and medium-sized businesses and I’m delighted that expertise in the participating universities will be shared and used across both our countries.” Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, said: “The Ireland-Wales programme shows how EU funding can contribute to successful cross-border cooperation – in this case across our maritime border with the UK. The CALIN project is an excellent example of how it supports research and development in universities for the benefit of enterprises of all sizes, leading to new jobs and further investment in new technologies. “This announcement shows funding under the Ireland-Wales programme is going ahead and that programme beneficiaries can plan for the future with confidence. The Irish Government strongly supports the programme and is committed to its successful implementation.” All R&D activities will include a collaborative partnership between an SME and both an Irish and a Welsh university over a 1-3 year period depending on the nature of the development programme. The network will offer R&D, technological development and innovation support to SMEs, which will drive the international competitiveness of both regions.  Together the internationally recognised centres of excellence will foster long-term cross-border research and industrial partnerships, building a platform of excellence for wider interactions in Europe and beyond. Professor Frank Barry, Scientific Director, Regenerative Medicine Institute, who leads the CALIN project at NUI Galway said: “This is a very exciting and unique opportunity for us to collaborate with SMEs in the biotech sector to help them expand their R&D effort and develop new technologies and products.”  Based at NUI Galway, the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) is a world-class biomedical research centre focusing on gene therapy and stem cell research.  REMEDI is home to the Centre for Cell Manufacturing, the first and only approved facility on the Island of Ireland. Professor Ken Dawson, Director, Centre for BioNano Interactions, UCD School of Chemistry, and Irish CALIN co-ordinator said, “This programme will allow University College Dublin to use our scientific knowledge and expertise in a practical way to support SMEs. This includes supporting new life science start-ups, many of whom currently experience the ‘valley of death’, as they try to progress from proof-of-concept to market. This funding will play a part in strengthening indigenous Irish and Welsh SMEs and their capacity to produce advanced products, with strong market potential, and increase the number of high-quality jobs.” Dr Paul Galvin, Head of ICT for Health Programmes at Tyndall National Institute said: “Collaboration is vital to innovation, and particularly in the life sciences sector. CALIN brings together the best of academic and industry co-operation accelerating innovative developments at the convergence of ICT and life sciences.  At Tyndall, we embrace opportunities to work with the most innovative life-science entrepreneurs and we are committed to driving progress and optimising the opportunity presented by this multi-million euro collaborative network." Professor Shareen Doak, Swansea University and CALIN Director said: “This initiative will strengthen our combined research base and create strong commercial foundations for life sciences both regionally and globally.  A key focus will be to support partnerships that will last beyond the term of the programme and create a legacy for the future wealth generation of network-linked SMEs.” Dr Stephen Barnwell, European Open Innovation Manager, Unilever, said: “CALIN will provide a unique opportunity for businesses to work with institutes across both Ireland and Wales. This pool of world-class expertise will promote exciting business opportunities by enabling engagement with a broad knowledge network offering combined research and innovation expertise. This is an exciting initiative, promising great benefits to the health and life science commercial sectors of both countries.” ENDS

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

NUI Galway’s Art Gallery is hosting a solo art exhibition by Marie Connole entitled ‘The Shapeshifter’s Trail’, which is currently running at the University until Saturday, 19 November. The retrospective charts fifteen years of the artists’ exploration of animal and human shape-changers. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 12-4pm. The official public launch will take place on Saturday, 12 November at 12.30pm and will feature a short talk by the artist on her art practice. Pivotal works have been selected for the exhibition from five distinct series, primarily in painting and drawing, exploring the theme through a variety of images and media. One series examines connections between shapeshifting folktales and Irish animals relating to Co. Clare. Other work depicts a peculiar being journeying through surreal environments inspired by the Burren landscape and the Atlantic Ocean. Marie Connole is a visual artist and teacher from Clare. She currently works from her studio in Ennis and her practice combines drawing, painting, installation and animation. Her work has exhibited in the National Gallery of Ireland, 126 Gallery, Occupy Space, Limerick Printmakers, the Science Gallery TCD and Draiocht Arts Centre. Events include EVA International, Aughty Public Art Projects, Kinsale Arts Festival and Tulca. Her paintings feature in the collections of AXA Insurance, Wesley College Dublin, Galway County Council, Clare County Arts Office and the Kilkenny Arts Office. She will also have a solo exhibition in the Irish Arts Centre in New York in 2017. For more information visit http://www.marieconnole.com/ or to arrange a visit at Marie’s studio in Ennis email marieconnole@yahoo.com. -Ends-

Monday, 7 November 2016

EU briefing for students of only Irish language interpreters training in the world The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Interpretation, Florika Fink-Hooijer visited NUI Galway recently where she met with staff and students of the MA/PDip in Conference Interpreting, currently being taught at the University. Mrs Fink-Hooijer spoke to the multilingual MA class at NUI Galway on issues related to multilingualism in the EU, and future career opportunities in conference interpreting for graduates of the programme. Emphasising the importance of interpreter training, Mrs Fink-Hooijer said: “The primary responsibility for training conference interpreters lays with the universities of member states. NUI Galway, and in particular Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, is the only Conference Interpreter training course provided on the entire island of Ireland and the only source of Irish language interpreters in the world, so its activities should be nurtured. The solid relationship between NUI Galway and the Directorate General for Interpretation allows us to build up interpreting resources for Irish and indeed English.” Cooperation with the Directorate-General for Interpretation began in 2008 and they provide regular teaching support from experienced staff interpreters and trainers from the institutions. Every year students of the MA in Conference Interpreting visit the institutions in Brussels for practical work experience, in real meetings, in a dummy booth. During her Irish Visit, the Director-General met with officials of the Irish Government to discuss Irish as a full official and working language of the EU. The EU has always considered cultural and linguistic diversity a richness and a strength and as something to be safeguarded. Reliable interpreting services are essential to the institutions and NUI Galway is committed to providing the requisite skills to their graduates to enable them to avail of these opportunities. -Ends- Cuairt ag Ard-Stiúrthóir na hAteangaireachta ar OÉ Gaillimh  Cruinniú faisnéise AE leis na mic léinn ar an t-aon chúrsa traenála d’ateangairí in Éirinn Thug Florkia Fink-Hooijer, Ard-Stiúrthóir na hAteangaireachta sa Choimisiún Eorpach, cuairt ar Ghaillimh le gairid, áit ar casadh uirthi le comhaltaí foirne agus mic léinn an MA san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála, atá ar siúl san Ollscoil.  Labhair an tArd-Stiúrthóir Fink-Hooijer le mic léinn an MA faoi pholasaí ilteangachais san AE agus na deiseanna fostaíochta atá san earnáil dóibh siúd le cáilíocht aitheanta sa ghairm. Dúirt Florika Fink-Hooijer agus í ag iarraidh béim a leagan ar thábhacht na traenála: “Is iad na hollscoileanna sna ballstáit atá freagrach as traenáil a chur ar fáil d’ateangairí comhdhála.  Is é an cúrsa in OÉ Gaillimh agus in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge an t-aon chúrsa traenála d’ateangairí le Gaeilge ar domhan, mar sin is gá an obair atá ar bun ansin a chothú. A bhuíochas don dlúthchaidreamh atá againn leis an MA san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála anseo in OÉ Gaillimh, d’éirigh le hArd-Stiúrthóireacht na hAteangaireachta cur leis na hacmhainní ateangaireachta le Gaeilge agus go deimhin le Béarla le cúpla bliain anuas.” Thosaigh an comhoibriú idir OÉ Gaillimh agus Ard-Stiúrthóireacht na hAteangaireachta in 2008 agus cuireann ateangairí foirne agus traenálaithe a bhfuil taithí na mblianta acu ón Ard-Stiúrthóireacht tacaíocht oideachasúil ar fáil ar an gcúrsa MA go rialta. Ina theannta sin, gach uile bhliain tugann mic léinn ón MA cuairt staidéir ar an mBruiséil chun taithí a fháil ar obair phraiticiúil na gairme, ag cruinnithe beo. Le linn na cuairte, chas an ghrúpa le hionadaithe ó Rialtas na hÉireann freisin agus bhí plé ann chun na todhchaí na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre iomlán den AE a phlé. Tá tuairimí láidir ag an AE le fada an lá faoin tábhacht a bhaineann le saibhreas teanga agus ilchineálacht chultúrtha a chaomhnú. Tá seirbhísí ateangaireachta iontaofa i gcroílár na n-institiúidí agus tá rún daingean ag OÉ Gaillimh na scileanna atá de dhíth a thabhairt do na mic léinn chun gur féidir leo na deiseanna fostaíochta atá ag teacht ar an bhfód a thapú.  -Críoch-

Monday, 7 November 2016

Mother and daughter team from NUI Galway address global audience of influencers and announce partnership with US-based Digital Citizenship Institute NUI Galway-based Digital Training Institute is partnering with US-based Digital Citizenship Institute to certify trainers, accredit courses and create digital citizenship programs for professionals and companies across the globe. The announcement was made at last week’s global Digital Citizenship Summit which took place at Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. CEO of Digital Training Institute Joanne Sweeney-Burke who is based at the Innovation Centre at NUI Galway has been writing and delivering digital citizenship programmes for the past four years in conjunction with her 21-year old daughter Sophie, a final year NUI Galway accountancy student. They were speakers at the summit and addressed an audience of influencers on The Digital DNA of Generation Z. Where it all started Four years ago Joanne and Sophie wrote a course for teens called Young Minds Online which was piloted in Salerno Secondary School in Galway. It was later sold to Kaspersky Lab, one of the world’s largest Internet security companies. Last week their work on digital citizenship brought them to Twitter headquarters in San Francisco where they addressed a global audience of influencers. Speaking from San Francisco, Joanne said, “I wrote a blog post after the Digital Citizenship Summit explaining why parenting at 17 years old inspired me to be a digcit parent. My age coupled with my digital skills gave me the confidence and know-how to help Sophie navigate the social web as a 13-year old teen. It planted a seed of how both of us could empower others in digital citizenship.” Digital citizenship is the safe, savvy and ethical use of the Internet, a term coined by Dr Mike Ribble, referred to as the godfather of digital citizenship and author of Digital Citizenship in Schools, 3rd Edition who also spoke at the Digital Citizenship Summit. Dr Ribble is part of the Digital Citizenship Institute research team along with Jason Ohler, author, professor and digital humanist. Co-founded by Dr Marialice Curran and David Polgar, the Digital Citizenship Summits have taken place across the US and earlier this year took place in Bournemouth in the UK. Joanne and Sophie spoke at this event also. Digital Training Institute & Digital Citizenship Institute partnership Joanne also announced a formal partnership with Digital Citizenship Institute and its founder Dr Marialice Curran who has an extensive career in academia. She has also founded DigCitKids, a platform for children to promote and advocate for good digital citizenship which she runs with her 10-year old son Curran. Dr Curran commented: “I am delighted to partner with Digital Training Institute who have done so much work in Europe on digital citizenship. Joanne has an excellent digital portfolio and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her vision is to ensure all workplaces are digital citizenship friendly and that no generation is left behind in the Digital Age. “My Institute will provide accreditation for our corporate programmes, as well as certifying digital citizenship educators in the workplace. Much of the work done in the United States has been focused on education and the corporate word has been largely ignored, however Joanne has identified a need and collectively we have the solution.” ENDS

Thursday, 3 November 2016

An award-winning NUI Galway researcher, Dr Emily Porter, was selected to attend the recent 2016 Rising Stars Workshop for her work on understanding human soft tissue. The workshop was hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The annual academic career event brings together over 60 of the brightest female Ph.D. students, postdocs, and engineers/scientists in the fields of electrical and computer engineering and computer science. Over the two-day workshop the select group presented their work, and focused on scientific interactions and career-oriented discussions. Dr Porter's research focuses on the dielectric properties of human tissues and their use in the design and development of cutting-edge medical devices. Explaining her research in simple terms, Dr Porter said: “The human body is amazingly complex, and there is still so much to be understood. My interest is in the electrical properties of our tissues, including how our body interacts with electromagnetic energy such as with mobile phones or magnetic resonance imaging. This work promises to provide insight for building new electromagnetic medical devices for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers and other diseases.” Based in NUI Galway’s Lambe Institute for Translational Research, Dr Porter works under the supervision of Dr Martin O’Halloran in the Translational Medical Device Lab.  Dr O’Halloran said: “Working alongside NUI Galway’s Dr Róisín Dwyer and Professor Michael Kerin in the Lambe Institute for Translational Research, Dr Porter is developing improved methods for measuring the dielectric properties of biological tissue. This will allow us to have alternatives in future to development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic technologies.” Dr Porter’s research is funded by the European Research Council, Science Foundation Ireland and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. -ends-

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

The Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), hosted by NUI Galway, has been shortlisted for the the ISA (Irish Software Association) Software Awards 2016 in the ‘Outstanding Academic Achievement of the Year’ category. Following publication of shortlisted entries, the 30 shortlisted companies will present to eight independent panels of judges, composed of CEOs and founders of successful Irish software and digital technology companies. Director of the ISA Paul Sweetman said: “The software and digital technology sector in Ireland is thriving. Year-on-year, stellar companies are entering the Awards and 2016 is no exception. More than 70 tech companies and organisations from across Ireland entered the awards this year and it is the tireless efforts of all in these companies that bring Ireland to the fore of the global technology sector.” Commenting on being shortlisted, Professor JC Desplat, Director of ICHEC, said: “I am delighted that ICHEC has been shortlisted for this prestigious award, making this our third consecutive selection. This consistency is a good indicator of the constant stream of innovations coming out of our centre.” Dr Simon Wong, project lead at ICHEC for the software and data anlaysis work under consideration, added: “It has been a pleasure for our team to work with our partners, including Professor Dermot Kenny’s group at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, on cutting edge medical diagnostics technology to improve patient care. We believe that software innovations play a critical role in the medical diagnostics industry that often brings together expertise from diverse fields of science, engineering and IT.” The ISA Software Awards will take place on Friday, 25 November in the Mansion House, Dublin. The keynote speaker for the awards is Mark Little, Vice-President of Media EMEA and Managing Director of Twitter Ireland and, founder of Storyful. The full list of the shortlisted companies can be found on www.software.ie/awards. -Ends-

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

NUI Galway’s Dr Jerome Sheahan has been recognised as a 2016 Teaching Hero by his students in the recent National Teaching Hero Awards in Dublin Castle. Dr Sheahan is a lecturer with the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics at the University. Jointly run by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and the Union of Students in Ireland, this is the second round of these national awards designed to engage and empower students in defining, identifying and celebrating impactful teaching. The Teaching Hero campaign 2016 focuses on innovative, creative and inspiring teaching and its impact on student learning.  Congratulating Dr Sheahan on his award, NUI Galway President, Dr Jim Browne, said: “Dr Jerome Sheahan is an outstanding teacher and I am delighted that he will be honoured nationally as a Teaching Hero. Jerome is an exceptionally committed teacher, whose dedication to his students over many decades is renowned. At NUI Galway he has been honoured twice with a President’s Award for Teaching Excellence. On behalf of NUI Galway I extend warmest congratulations to Jerome on his well-deserved national recognition as a Teaching Hero.” -Ends-

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Students interested in studying at NUI Galway are invited to an information evening in Ennis on Thursday, 10 November. Students interested in undergraduate or postgraduate courses are welcome to attend. Parents, guardians and guidance counsellors are also particularly welcome to the event which runs from 7 to 9pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis Co. Clare. The evening will begin with short talks about NUI Galway and the undergraduate courses it offers. Afterwards, current students and NUI Galway staff will be on hand to answer any individual questions in relation to courses and practical issues like accommodation, fees and scholarships, and the wide range of support services available to our students. The ever-increasing popularity of NUI Galway is in-part due to innovative programmes, developed in response to the changing needs of the employment market. Unique programmes include a suite of Arts degree programmes including Drama, Creative Writing and Human Rights, an Energy Systems Engineering degree, a Maths and Education degree aimed at training Maths teachers, a Marine Science degree and Podiatric Medicine, a programme unique in Ireland. Visitors to the information evening will also get information on NUI Galway’s newest degree programmes, a Bachelor of Commerce (Global Experience), Bachelor in Children’s Studies and the BSc (Applied Social Sciences). Sarah Geraghty, Student Recruitment and Outreach Manager at NUI Galway, said: “NUI Galway has a great deal to offer. Our own students tell us our lecturers are inspirational and challenge them to achieve their full potential. The student experience in Galway is second to none, and we want to bring a taste of that to County Clare, while also providing all the practical information on accommodation, fees, scholarships and courses. With so many courses on offer, this event in Ennis is a perfect opportunity for prospective students to meet current students and lecturers to see what degree might be the right fit for them.” To find out more about the information evening in Ennis, contact NUI Galway's Marketing Officer, Niamh Connolly on 086 0110526 or niamh.connolly@nuigalway.ie. -Ends-

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Students from across Connacht who received an ‘A’ in Junior Certificate Honours Business Studies, were presented with Certificates of Achievement from the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at NUI Galway recently. The presentations, in association with the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI), were made at a special ceremony at the University which included teachers and parents. This is the seventh year NUI Galway has presented these awards. A record 370 students received recognition for their outstanding academic achievement at the ceremony this year. The certificates were awarded to students from 66 individual schools throughout the counties of Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. Professor John McHale, Dean of the College of Business Public Policy and Law, NUI Galway, who presented the certificates to each individual winner, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the students on their wonderful success. Recipients of this award place amongst the top 9.2% of students who sat this examination, an achievement to be most definitely proud of. NUI Galway believes that it is important to recognise the achievements of our potential future business leaders. I would also like to acknowledge the work of teachers in helping students achieve their potential. I hope to have the pleasure of meeting many of these students again in NUI Galway as students of our programmes in the future.” Seamus Robinson, former President, BSTAI, said: “The BSTAI is delighted to continue its partnership with NUI Galway in recognising students who have achieved excellence in Business Studies as part of their Junior Certificate. Congratulations to you, your teachers, parents and principals. The recipients of these awards hold the visionary seeds of the future and I am confident many of today’s award recipients will build successful careers in the business world.” -Ends-

Tuesday, 1 November 2016

Two documentaries tell the stories of Parkinson’s patients and sporting injuries. What happens when scientists and filmmakers collide and what stories emerge? This was the question posed by ‘Science on Screen’, an initiative from Galway Film Centre, CÚRAM at NUI Galway, and Galway UNESCO City of Film, with the support of Science Foundation of Ireland. The result has been two documentaries featuring the groundbreaking world of medical device research taking place in CÚRAM. Feats of Modest Valour is a touching portrait of three individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and the scientists who are developing a new medical device, which could potentially halt or even cure the disease; and Mending Legends looks at the devastating effects of tendon injury on sports people and the team of scientists who are working to form the world’s first 3D cell assembled tendon prototype. These two films will premiere during both SFI's National Science Week and the Galway Science and Technology Festival, on Saturday, 19 November in An Taibhdhearc. Jonathan McCrea of Newstalk Radio will conduct a Q&A with the filmmakers and scientists after the screening. Storytelling through science was the ethos that underpinned these films and this is apparent from the rich characters that we encounter in both documentaries. In Mending Legends, presented by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill, we meet Jessie Barr who just missed out on the Rio 2016 Olympics due to tendon injury, made all the more bittersweet by her brother’s fourth placing in the 400m hurdles at those very same events. Pádraic Joyce, Galway football legend, also recounts playing through the pain for the love of the game. The exciting research led by Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis that is taking place at CÚRAM in NUI Galway, could make huge differences to sports people of the future. The film is produced by James Ryan of StationHouse Media in Athenry and directed by Paul Webster. In Feats of Modest Valour we meet three individuals living with the physical challenges of Parkinson’s. Brian Carney from County Mayo works on the family farm, while Milena Lulic who lives in Galway City recounts her days in World War II in Croatia. Also Tom Hickey, Irish actor who recently received a lifetime achievement award at the Abbey Theatre from the President Michael D. Higgins, talks about how suffering for his art takes on a whole new meaning with the disease. Meanwhile, scientists led by NUI Galway’s Dr Eilis O’Dowd continue searching for a way to halt the disease. The film is co-directed and co-produced by Mia Mullarkey and Alice McDowell of Ishka Films. Declan Gibbons, Director of Galway UNESCO City of Film, said: “One of the key ambitions underscoring Galway’s status as a UNESCO City of Film is to promote the merging of science, technology and creativity in exciting new projects. The idea of using film to explore the ground breaking scientific research being done on our doorstep in CÚRAM in NUI Galway, offers a wonderful fusion of art and science in a highly creative way. It is exactly the type of project that City of Film should be initiating and so we are delighted to have been involved in these two films since the get-go.” “The two research projects featured in these documentaries are at the cutting edge of biomedical research. Our investigators are coordinating these projects across Europe with numerous academic and industry partners”, said Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, which is based in NUI Galway. “One of our key goals at CÚRAM is to provide access to information that comes from our research, so that the Irish public can stay informed about advances in science and healthcare. Science on Screen and our partnership with Galway Film Centre is one of our core public engagement programmes and we are delighted to have such strong outputs from the initiative this year. It is really important for us to ensure that there’s a two way flow of information happening between our researchers and members of the public, and these filmmakers have succeeded brilliantly in helping us do just that.” Dr Ruth Freeman, Director Strategy and Communications Science Foundation Ireland, said: “Supporting projects like this is part of our aim to create greater public debate and knowledge on challenges we face as a society and how scientific research and discoveries are helping to find solutions. By supporting Irish film and TV production we hope to make these stories accessible to a wide audience in an entertaining and engaging manner.” The films will screen at 2pm on Saturday, 19 November in An Taibhdhearc Theatre, Middle Street, Galway City. To RSVP, please contact admin@galwayfilmcentre.ie. More information is available at www.galwayfilmcentre.ie or www.curamdevices.ie. To view the trailers of the films visit https://vimeo.com/184564095 -Ends-

Tuesday, 1 November 2016

First TechInnovate Fellows announced by NUI Galway Teams will develop innovative technology solutions for pressing needs “Through the immersion phase, the Fellows get direct experience of the needs of a farmer or soldier in the field” Dr John Breslin Innovations in technology for the agricultural and defence sectors are being explored by the newly announced TechInnovate fellows at NUI Galway. The names of the entrepreneurial individuals who have been accepted onto the fellowship programme have been released. Taking cues from the successful BioInnovate programme for the medtech sector, TechInnovate’s aim is to enable technology innovators and innovations in new sectors, initially agriculture and defence. The first cohort of six fellows have been split into two teams, who will immerse themselves within the sectors. Over the course of the 10-month programme, the Fellowship teams will carry out a thorough needs analysis with end users, identify a pressing technological need, and then develop a solution.  The programme is being led by NUI Galway academic Dr John Breslin, who is himself an entrepreneur as co-founder of boards.ie, adverts.ie, and more recently the start-up hub PorterShed. Dr Breslin says: “Understand your users, that’s the key’ is a saying from serial entrepreneur and investor, Paul Graham. It captures the essence of what this programme is about, because through the immersion phase, the Fellows get direct experience of the needs of a farmer or soldier in the field. They then go on to filter and prioritise these needs and develop a solution wherein the key market opportunity lies.” Each team consists of an interdisciplinary grouping of engineer, businessperson and designer. All members are industry professionals with extensive expertise from different sectors. The defence team is made up of Ronan Boyle, an electronic engineer with significant industry experience in the medical devices industry, Greg Payne, with expertise in financial services, compliance and sales with a background in sports science, and Leon Butler, an accomplished visual narrative designer who recently completed a residency in LA. On the agriculture team are Niamh Lynch, an expert in quality and risk management for the medtech and pharma industries, Ciara Shields, a results-focused marketing and international business development executive with a passion for startups, and Paul Flynn, design thinking and learning environments specialist with an education and engineering background. Dr John Breslin explains the origins of TechInnovate: “The impetus for the development of this Fellowship Programme emerged from the Government’s Innovation Taskforce Report. It made recommendations on how to embed product design teaching and research in Ireland’s engineering schools and how to shift design education in Ireland to a model where creativity and innovation in product design are encouraged. The BioInnovate Ireland Fellowship Programme was created as a result of these recommendations, which in turn inspired the development of TechInnovate.” TechInnovate also has an experienced team of advisors with entrepreneurial and investment backgrounds, including: Gerard Barry, Galway-based investor and entrepreneur, founder of Privity Pay and formerly Fintrax; Patrick Dawson, investor and adtech entrepreneur (ex-MediaMath, Adobe) who has built businesses in Asia, Europe and the US; Dr Helen McBreen, Investment Director with Atlantic Bridge Ventures and formerly of NDRC and Celtrak; Barry O’Sullivan, Silicon Valley-based investor, entrepreneur, CEO of Altocloud, former SVP at Cisco, and dragon on RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den; and Dr Gareth Keane, Senior Investment Manager at Qualcomm Ventures in California. The programme is supported by NUI Galway and the Galway University Foundation, and is sponsored by Bank of Ireland and the Western Development Commission. A Continuing Professional Development series of workshops in the TechInnovate process is also being offered to supporting companies, and new sectors and immersion opportunities for teams are also being sought for future years. -ends-

Tuesday, 1 November 2016

NUI Galway will host its Autumn Postgraduate Open Day on Tuesday, 8 November from 12-4pm in the Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn. The Open Day is a key event for anyone wishing to broaden their skills-set, define their areas of expertise, increase their specialist knowledge and ultimately improve their job prospects. The Open Day will showcase over 400 of NUI Galway’s full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes, including taught and research masters, and doctoral research options. With over 3,500 postgraduate students currently attending NUI Galway, over 70 information stands will provide details on postgraduate opportunities at the University, with academic staff and current students on hand to answer questions about specific courses. A key part of the decision to pursue a postgraduate qualification is finding out as much as possible about the programmes, the application process and the funding options available. The upcoming Open Day brings together all the key people and organisations that provide support to postgraduate students. The practicalities of postgraduate studies are demystified with a series of talks including a speaker from SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), the national awarding authority for all higher and further education student grants. Sarah Geraghty, Student Recruitment and Outreach Manager at NUI Galway, said: “Time and again, research shows that professionals with a postgraduate qualification are more likely to be employed, are more likely to be working a field relevant to their qualification and have a greater earning power. Over 91% of NUI Galway graduates are employed or are in further study within six months of graduating from a postgraduate programme and we are encouraging anyone with an interest in improving their employment prospects to come to our Open Day and see for yourself the award-winning, employability-focused programmes offered by NUI Galway.”   Irish graduates are ranked first in Europe in terms of how employers rank graduates, and how postgraduate study boosts employability. The number of postgraduates in employment has grown consistently in recent years and NUI Galway’s well-established links with industry allows them to take the first step in building their career. NUI Galway offers a wide range of fourth level courses, developing programmes based on its traditional academic strengths of Arts, Social Sciences, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Medicine, Nursing, Health Science, Law, Engineering, Informatics and Science. These areas have been augmented with innovative research centres in areas as diverse as Biomedical Science and Engineering, International Human Rights, Digital Media and Film Studies, and Regenerative Medicine. To view NUI Galway’s suite of new and unique postgraduate programmes and to book a place at the Open Day visit www.nuigalway.ie/postgraduate-open-day  or call in on the day. To apply for an NUI Galway postgraduate course visit www.pac.ie/nuigalway. -Ends-

Monday, 28 November 2016

Four NUI Galway experts have featured on the list of the world’s most Highly Cited Researchers. The list is a citation analysis identifying scientists – as determined by their fellow researchers – whose research has had significant global impact within their respective fields of study. NUI Galway’s Professor Henry Curran, Professor Colin O’Dowd, Professor Donal O’Regan, and Dr Ronan Sulpice, have featured on the list. They rank among the world’s top 3,000 scientific minds by Clarivate Analytics, formerly the Intellectual Property & Science business of Thomson Reuters. Professor Henry Curran is Director of the Combustion Chemistry Centre at NUI Galway’s School of Chemistry and of the Energy Research Centre in the Ryan Institute. His research interest lies in the study of the chemistry of how fuels burn in combustors in order to increase efficiency and reduce emissions for a cleaner world. Professor Colin O’Dowd is Director of the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies at the Ryan Institute, NUI Galway, and a Professor in the School of Physics, NUI Galway. Through his pioneering work in the field of atmospheric physics, Colin has become internationally renowned as one of the leading scientists in the field of climate change. Professor Donal O’Regan is a Personal Professor of Mathematics at NUI Galway’s School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics and an internationally recognised expert in the field of Nonlinear Analysis, Differential Equations, and Fixed Point Theory. He has written over 1,000 peer-reviewed mathematical articles, making him one of the most prolific authors in the history of mathematics in the world. Dr Ronan Sulpice is Lecturer in the School of Natural Sciences and Visiting Professor at the University of Vicosa in Brazil. His research explores the relationship between plant metabolism and growth, and how they vary in response to environment changes. More than 3,000 researchers, in 21 fields of the sciences and social sciences, were selected based on the number of highly cited papers they produced over an 11-year period from January 2004 to December 2014. “We are proud that our colleagues have earned global respect among the academic and scientific community for their excellent and transformative research. NUI Galway’s strong international reputation for research and innovation is reinforced with the inclusion of four of our faculty among the world’s most Highly Cited Researchers,” said Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway. The Highly Cited Researchers data from Clarivate Analytics form a key component of the Academic Ranking of World Universities, one of the longest established and most influential annual surveys of top universities globally (http://www.shanghairanking.com/index.html). NUI Galway’s teaching and research has already been significantly recognised this year through its consistent rise in international rankings. The University is placed in the Top 250 of both the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2016/2017 and the QS World University Rankings 2016/17. -ends-

Thursday, 27 October 2016

NUI Galway is delighted to be the host venue for the official celebrations for TG4 as it marks the official opening of the Irish language national television station 20 years ago on 31 October 1996. The celebration will see a transformation of the iconic Quadrangle to a major broadcast pavilion for a live TV show TG4XX Beo which will be aired at 9.30pm on Oíche Shamhna. NUI Galway is proud to have played its part in the development of TG4 and creative industries across the region though the work of the University’s centres in the Gaeltacht. Through its wide-ranging academic activities over many years in centres from Donegal to Connemara, the University has facilitated broad civic participation in an inclusive Irish language identity. Graduates and staff of NUI Galway have played significant roles on- and off-screen in the development and identity of Teilifís na Gaeilge (TnaG) since 1996 and TG4 since 1999. There at the beginning were Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir (now an NUI Galway lecturer); and graduate and NUI Galway Alumni Award winner, Gráinne Seoige, whose journey to the screen began in her student UCG days. Among the station’s news anchors, Siún Nic Gearailt, Eimear Ní Chonaola and Áine Lally all graduated from the University along with journalists Ailbhe Ó Monacháin, Caoimhe Ní Choncoille, and Joe Mag Raollaigh to name but a few well-known TG4 names. Academic programmes such as An tArd-Dioplóma sa Chumarsáid Fheidhmeach provided an important talent stream in the initial years of the channel and production programmes such as An Dioplóma i Scileanna Físe (offered first in Gaoth Dobhair and subsequently in locations across the country) were key contributors to sectoral capacity building for TG4 and the audio-visual sector nationally. Academic projects such as NUI Galway’s conference TG4@10 in October 2006 have examined the impact of TG4 on the language and media community. Speaking ahead of the live events planned for Halloween on the NUI Galway campus, President of the University, Dr Jim Browne said: “We are delighted to welcome TG4 to the very heart of the University this weekend. The Quadrangle at NUI Galway is a very fitting location for the celebrations to mark 20 years of Ireland’s national language television station. In many ways, the Quad is a living metaphor of the nation’s journey and an atmospheric and symbolic location. It is the foundation site of a pioneering intellectual endeavour and for over 170 years our University has demonstrated a history of engagement with the region, nation and wider world. This celebration allows us to join with TG4 in celebrating the cultural diversity and richness of our heritage, in a dynamic and modern context.  We look forward to an evening of celebrating the very best of our national identity.” Tune in to TG4 when the event will broadcast live on Monday, 31 October at 9.30pm. -Ends- TG4 ag Ceiliúradh 20 Bliain ar an bhfód in OÉ Gaillimh Cúis áthais do OÉ Gaillimh go mbeidh TG4 ag ceiliúradh scór bliain ó láinseáladh an stáisiún teilifíse Gaeilge go hoifigiúil scór bliain ó shin, an 31 Deireadh Fómhair 1996. Beidh an Chearnóg ina hardán mór craoltóireachta don seó beo teilifíse TG4XX Beo a chraolfar ag 9.30pm Oíche Shamhna. Cúis bróid do OÉ Gaillimh an pháirt a bhí aici ag forbairt TG4 agus na dtionscal cruthaitheach sa réigiún trí obair na n-ionad Ollscoile sa Ghaeltacht. Tá comhpháirteachas poiblí den scoth éascaithe ag an Ollscoil i bhféiniúlacht Ghaeilge trí ghníomhaíochtaí acadúla éagsúla le blianta fada anuas in ionaid Ghaeltachta ó Dhún na nGall go Conamara. Is iomaí ról tábhachtach a bhí ag céimithe agus ag comhaltaí foirne OÉ Gaillimh ar an scáileán agus ar chúl an cheamara ó thaobh forbairt agus féiniúlacht Theilifís na Gaeilge (TnaG) ó 1996 agus TG4 ó 1999. Ar an gcéad chraoladh bhí Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir (atá anois ina léachtóir in OÉ Gaillimh); agus céimí agus buaiteoir Ghradam Alumni OÉ Gaillimh, Gráinne Seoige, a fuair taithí ar an scáileán agus í ina mac léinn i gColáiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh. Is céimithe de chuid na hOllscoile iad na láithreoirí nuachta, Siún Nic Gearailt, Eimear Ní Chonaola agus Áine Lally mar aon leis na hiriseoirí Ailbhe Ó Monacháin, Caoimhe Ní Choncoille, agus Joe Mag Raollaigh i measc cuid de na pearsa is mó le rá i TG4. Chuir cláir acadúla cosúil leis an Ard-Dioplóma sa Chumarsáid Fheidhmeach daoine ar fáil sna chéad bhlianta den stáisiún agus chuidigh cláir léiriúcháin cosúil leis an Dioplóma i Scileanna Físe (a cuireadh ar fáil i nGaoth Dobhair ar dtús agus in ionaid eile ar fud na tíre ina dhiaidh sin) le daoine a chur ar fáil do TG4 agus don earnáil chlosamhairc ar fud na tíre. Scrúdaigh tograí acadúla cosúil le comhdháil OÉ Gaillimh TG4@10 i nDeireadh Fómhair 2006 tionchar TG4 ar an bpobal Gaeilge agus ar na meáin. Ag labhairt dó roimh na hócáidí beo atá beartaithe d'Oíche Shamhna ar champas OÉ Gaillimh, dúirt an Dr Jim Browne, Uachtarán na hOllscoile: “Tá ríméad orainn fáilte a chur roimh TG4 chuig croí an champais an deireadh seachtaine seo. Is maith a fheileann Cearnóg OÉ Gaillimh don cheiliúradh ar scór bliain ó bunaíodh an stáisiún teilifíse Gaeilge. Siombail í an Chearnóg d'aistear na tíre agus is ionad uathúil í a bhfuil an-atmaisféar inti. Is ar an láthair seo a cuireadh bonn faoi iarracht mheabhrach cheannródaíoch agus le 170 bliain anuas tá ceangal dlúth ag an Ollscoil seo leis an réigiún, leis an tír agus leis an saol mór. Táimid ag ceiliúradh i gcomhar le TG4 an éagsúlacht agus an saibhreas cultúrtha a bhaineann lenár n-oidhreacht i gcomhthéacs dinimiciúil agus nua-aimseartha. Táimid ag súil go mór le ceiliúradh ar ár bhféiniúlacht náisiúnta.” Bígí ag faire ar TG4 nuair a chraolfar an ócáid beo Dé Luain, an 31 Deireadh Fómhair ag 9.30pm. -Críoch-

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

As part of NUI Galway’s 1916 commemoration programme, ‘A Nation Rising’, the University will host a public conference entitled ‘Before 1916: Robert Lynd and Visions of Ireland to Come’. Organised by NUI Galway’s Gender ARC Research Network and the Moore Institute, the event will take place on Friday, 4 November in the Hardiman Research Building. Through a programme of lively guest lectures, music and dramatic performances, the conference will explore alternative visions of Ireland before the 1916 Rising, as expressed by five “Voices of the New Ireland” selected by the writer and critic Robert Lynd in his 1919 book Ireland a Nation. The five very well-known voices at the time chosen by Lynd were: Easter Rising leader Patrick Pearse; historian Alice Stopford Green; writer and artist George Russell (AE); essayist, constitutionalist nationalist, and women's rights advocate Tom Kettle; and sculptor and poet Dora Sigerson. Conference organiser, Professor Niamh Reilly of NUI Galway’s School of Political Science and Sociology explains the idea behind the conference: “Many are familiar with the role of Patrick Pearse and the vision of Ireland he strove to achieve, but most are less aware that in the years before 1916, Pearse’s vision was one among many nationalist visions that competed for Ireland’s hearts and minds at the time. This conference uses Robert Lynd's writings to recall and learn from some of the lively debates and passionate champions of Ireland's independence before the Rising.”     Keynote speakers includes: historian and political analyst Dr Margaret O’Callaghan of Queens University Belfast, who will talk about ‘Alice Green, Roger Casement and the politics of Irish history before the Rising’; and Professor Bryan Fanning from UCD whose talk is titled, ‘Patrick Pearse’s Ghost Frequencies’. Professor Fanning’s new book, Irish Adventures in Nation-Building, will also be launched at the conference along with the Lynd Exhibit: Writings In The Library, organised by Mary Clancy, researcher and curator and Marie Boran, Special Collections Librarian. Music from the time period will also feature and will be performed by musicians Garry O’Briain, Jack Talty, Caitleen Courtney and singer Alice Hegarty, coordinated by Mary McPartlan, Director of NUI Galway’s Arts in Action Programme. There will be dramatic readings of the writings of Robert Lynd and his “five voices” by students of the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, coordinated by Dr Miriam Haughton. The afternoon will conclude with a lively roundtable discussion chaired by Margaret O’Callaghan on the legacy and significance of Lynd and his “five voices” with contributions from NUI Galway’s: Dr Anne Byrne on George Russell (AE); Mary Clancy on Alice Stopford Green; Dr Miriam Haughton on Patrick Pearse; Dr Muireann O’Cinneide on Dora Sigerson; and Professor Niamh Reilly on Tom Kettle. The conference is free and open to the public but places are limited. To reserve a place at the conference contact Gillian Browne gillian.browne@nuigalway.ie or 091 492297. Registration will begin at 9am with the programme commencing at 9.30am. For more information see: www.nuigalway.ie/globalwomensstudies/gender-arc/. -Ends-

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

NUI Galway’s oldest living alumna, Anne Byrne, née Gannon, is being honoured by her alma mater on Thursday, 3 November at 6pm with a public interview about her time spent at the University, her life in America and her music. Not only is Anne celebrating 80 years since her graduation in 1936, but she has also been recognised as the first private individual to make tape recordings of Irish traditional music in Ireland. Her collection, which she first began in 1954, is now a unique archival treasure and one which she has donated to the Irish State where it is being digitised and preserved by the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin. During the celebrations pieces from the archive will be played in a fully restored format and one of Ireland’s most respected and loved musicians, Máirtín O’Connor, will also perform some of Anne’s favourite tracks live on the night. Aisling Nolan, Alumni Relations Officer at NUI Galway, said: “Anne is not only remarkable for her position as our oldest alumna; but her wonderful life story and achievements are such that warrants celebration. Anne’s many vivid memories of her time at NUI Galway in the 1930’s will be fascinating for the wider alumni community. It has been a pleasure getting to know Anne over the past few years and we are delighted she is able to join us back in her alma mater for such a special occasion.” Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin, Acting Co-Director of NUI Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies, will conduct the interview. Dr Ní Fhuartháin said: “Anne’s importance to Irish traditional music collection in the mid-twentieth century is only now being given due credit and it is a real honour to be part of the celebration of that cultural contribution. We will get to hear Anne tell her story, and also get to listen to some of the archive recordings of the music she collected. Her experience as the daughter of an emigrant to Ireland and as an emigrant herself, raises fascinating questions about received notions of the Irish emigrant experience.” The event will take place with a pre-interview reception in Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI Galway, followed by the public interview and music in The Cube. The event, which will be co-hosted by the University’s Alumni Relations and the Centre for Irish Studies, is free and open to all alumni and friends of NUI Galway as well as the wider Galway community. RSVP to Aisling on 091 494310 or by email at aisling.nolan@nuigalway.ie. -Ends-

Friday, 21 October 2016

Three NUI Galway researchers have been awarded significant funding in an announcement made by Science Foundation Ireland this week.  Working in the fields of colon cancer, intervertebral disc repair and tissue engineering, the individuals were selected as “the next leaders of research in Ireland, shaping the research community both here in Ireland and internationally”. Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD, announced a total of €22.3 million in research funding for 40 major research projects in Ireland.  The funding is distributed through Science Foundation Ireland’s Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG) and Career Development Award (CDA) Programmes. Dr Aideen Ryan, a Senior Research Fellow in Immunology at NUI Galway’s Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), was awarded a SIRG of €518,821 for her work on colon cancer. Her project, RESTRAIN, involves investigating tumour stromal interactions in metastatic colon cancer for the identification of novel immuno-therapeutic targets. Dr Laura Russo, a member of the CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices at NUI Galway, was awarded a SIRG of €518,749 for her research on tissue engineering for degenerative intervertebral disc disease. Her project will look at glyco-functionalised hydrogel to stimulate the repair of the damaged disc. Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis, Director of the Regenerative, Modular and Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL) and Principal Investigator of the CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices at NUI Galway, was awarded a CDA of €493,759 for his work on tissue engineering. His project, Tissue Engineered Nanoassemblies of Advanced Biomimicry of Living Equivalents (TENABLE), will develop living tissue substitutes using iPSCs based on the principles of in vitro organogenesis. NUI Galway’s Vice-President for Research, Professor Lokesh Joshi, welcomed the awards: “These awards recognise the excellent young research talent at NUI Galway and how our researchers are advancing scientific frontiers which will ultimately benefit patients. We are focused on developing the next generation of researchers which is critical to the long-term sustainability of delivering research impact.” Announcing the awards, Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD said; “This investment in the SFI SIRG and CDA Programmes allows researchers to advance their research investigations and continue developing their careers. These researchers will be the next leaders of research in Ireland, shaping the research community both here in Ireland and internationally. The nine industrial collaborations linked with these awards provides industry with access to the emerging research expertise found throughout Ireland. Collaborations at these early career stages will help establish relationships which will advance Ireland’s economy, society and reputation for research excellence now and in the future.”   Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland welcomed the announcement saying: “Science Foundation Ireland places a heavy emphasis on supporting researchers at every stage of their careers. The SIRG and CDA awards help early and mid-career researchers develop essential skills and track records necessary to become the next generation of research leaders in Ireland.  I have high expectations for these projects and look forward to these teams contributing to the advancement of Ireland’s international reputation in areas such as energy, materials, technology, and health.” -ends-

Friday, 21 October 2016

Professor Jean Christophe (JC) Desplat receives the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight of the Order of Academic Palms). One of France’s highest honours has been bestowed on an Irish-based technology expert. Professor Jean Christophe (JC) Desplat, Director of the Irish Centre for High End Computing (ICHEC), which is hosted by NUI Galway, has received the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight of the Order of Academic Palms). The Ordre des Palmes Académiques is a prize given by the French government to honour distinguished figures in culture and education. Originally started by Napoleon, the award assumed its current form in 1955, and at a ceremony this week at Résidence de France in Dublin, ICHEC’s Professor Desplat joined the distinguished list of recipients. ICHEC is Ireland’s national centre for high-performance computing, with world-class expertise in the exploitation of next generation compute platforms. The Center operates the national High-Performance Computing service for academia and through industrial R&D collaboration helps bring the benefits of high-performance computing to business and industry. ICHEC is partly funded by the Irish State through the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation and the Department of Education & Skills. It is hosted by NUI Galway, with offices in Dublin and Galway. Professor Desplat has been an integral part of ICHEC since 2005, becoming Director in 2012. His expertise has proven crucial in establishing ICHEC as one of the leading technology centres in Europe. Speaking on receipt of this honour, Professor Desplat said: “I am honoured to be awarded this prestigious distinction by the French government. This award means a lot to me personally but it also rightly recognises the outstanding team of people I work with at the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) where our goal is to make Ireland a world leader in high-performance computing. I look forward to growing ICHEC nationally and internationally and developing further collaborations and partnerships in Europe.” Professor Desplat is joining a high calibre of individuals through receipt of this award, joining the same ranks as esteemed politicians, scientists, historians, artists, musicians, and even royalty. -ends-

Thursday, 20 October 2016

 Were James Macpherson’s famous translations of the ancient Scottish bard Ossian less Homer from the Greek Classics and more like Oisín from Irish mythology? Multi-disciplinary research from the National University of Ireland Galway, Coventry University and University of Oxford explored the mathematical properties of contested poems. The social networks behind one of the most famous literary controversies of all time have been uncovered using modern complexity science. Since James Macpherson published what he claimed were translations of ancient Scottish Gaelic poetry by a third-century bard named Ossian, scholars have questioned the authenticity of the works and whether they were misappropriated from Irish mythology or, as heralded at the time, authored by a Scottish equivalent to Homer. Now, in a joint study by British and Irish universities and published today (Thursday, 20 October) in the journal Advances in Complex Systems, researchers have revealed the structures of the social networks underlying the Ossianic corpus and their remarkable similarities to Irish mythology. The researchers mapped the characters at the heart of the works and the relationships between them to compare the social networks found in the Scottish epics with classical Greek literature and Irish mythology. The study revealed that the networks in the Scottish poems bore little resemblance to epics by Homer, but strongly resembled those in mythological stories from Ireland. The Ossianic poems are considered to be some of the most important literary works ever to have emerged from Britain or Ireland, given their influence over the Romantic period in literature and the arts. Figures from Brahms to Wordsworth reacted enthusiastically; Napoleon took a copy on his military campaigns and US President Thomas Jefferson believed that Ossian was the greatest poet that had ever existed. The poems launched the romantic portrayal of the Scottish Highlands which persists, in many forms, to the present day and inspired Romantic nationalism all across Europe. Macpherson and collaborators compared Ossian to Greek Classics in order to add authority to the Scottish epic. Although its characters had resonances in Irish mythology, they tried to distance the work from Irish sources. Macpherson also sought to invert the ancient relationship between Ireland and Scotland, reversing the direction of migration of populations and folklore. This provoked outrage by Irish scholars and triggered one of the most famous literary controversies of all time. Revisionist scholarship and a recent 250th anniversary sparked revival of interest in Ossian and launched rehabilitation for Macpherson. The new research found that the mathematical properties of the Ossianic networks are very different to those of Homer, but very similar to ancient Irish tales, specifically Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology, which features Fionn mac Cumhaill and his son Oisín. The interdisciplinary research connects opposite ends of the academic spectrum. “By working together, it shows how science can open up new avenues of research in the humanities,” claims Professor Ralph Kenna, a statistical physicist based at Coventry University. “The opposite also applies,” he says, “as social structures discovered in Ossian inspire new questions in mathematics.” Dr Justin Tonra, a digital humanities expert from the National University of Ireland, Galway adds: “From a humanities point of view, while it cannot fully resolve the debate about Ossian, this scientific analysis does reveal an insightful statistical picture: close similarity to the Irish texts which Macpherson explicitly rejected, and distance from the Greek sources which he sought to emulate.” The paper will be published online this week at the journal website. It is also available for free from https://arxiv.org/abs/1610.00142 . -ends-

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

A new Digital Archive collection is to be launched by NUI Galway James Hardiman Library on Tuesday, 25 October at 5pm in the Hardiman Research Building. This new online resource contains digitised items from the archive of Brendan Duddy, the Derry businessman who maintained a secret channel of communication between the British government and the IRA Army Council for twenty years. Brendan Duddy was a key figure in the 1975 ceasefire negotiations, the 1981 Republican Hunger Strikes - the 35th anniversary of whose conclusion occurred earlier this month, and ceasefire talks between 1990 and 1994 and was the subject of Peter Taylor’s BBC documentary ‘The Secret Peacemaker’. The archive was deposited in NUI Galway in 2009, and contains over 700 documents that cover these three critical periods during the Troubles. It includes coded diaries documenting contact, as well as messages exchanged, between the British government and the Provisional Republican leadership. The archive gives a rare insight into the dynamics and the role of secret negotiation in conflict resolution. Also included are several hours of filmed interviews between Brendan Duddy and Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh of NUI Galway’s School of Political Science and Sociology, in which these key historical events are discussed. In the context of the recent Brexit vote, there are interesting references to the status of the border and the implications for Northern Ireland of any change in political arrangements. Professor Lionel Pilkington of NUI Galway’s School of Humanities, said: “Brendan Duddy’s fascinating papers draw attention to that largely unacknowledged war that, from the late 1960s, dominated Irish political conscience for three decades. For the researcher, this is an invaluable archive of materials, and it testifies also to Duddy’s own extraordinary courage and integrity.”    NUI Galway Librarian John Cox said: “Making a significant proportion of this important archive available online will enable new insights into some of the major episodes in the Troubles.” The archive has been used by local and international scholars of conflict studies, alongside some of NUI Galway’s other archival collections such as the papers of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and Professor Kevin Boyle. This new Digital Archive makes a substantial amount of that material available online to researchers throughout the world and can be viewed on the NUI Galway Digital Collections platform at https://digital.library.nuigalway.ie/, along with some of the University’s other digital archives such as The Abbey Theatre Early Minute Books, the Michael Cusack Collection and the Balfour Album of 19th century photographs of Galway. A public interview titled “Can you keep a secret? Family life with a secret peacemaker” between Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh and some of Brendan Duddy’s family members will precede the launch. Professor Lionel Pilkington will launch the Digital Archive, followed by a demonstration of the resource by Digital Archivist, Aisling Keane. The event is free, but registration is essential. Please visit http://tinyurl.com/zwj2pfc  to register. -Ends-

Monday, 17 October 2016

Students interested in studying at NUI Galway are invited to an information evening in Tralee on Thursday, 20 October. Students interested in undergraduate or postgraduate courses are welcome to attend. Parents, guardians and guidance counsellors are also particularly welcome to the event which runs from 7 to 9pm in the Brandon Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry. The evening will begin with short talks about NUI Galway and the undergraduate courses it offers. Afterwards, current students and NUI Galway staff will be on hand to answer any individual questions in relation to courses and practical issues like accommodation, fees and scholarships, and the wide range of support services available to our students. The ever-increasing popularity of NUI Galway is in-part due to a suite of innovative programmes, developed in response to the changing needs of the employment market. Unique programmes include a suite of Arts degree programmes including Drama, Creative Writing and Human Rights, an Energy Systems Engineering degree, a Maths and Education degree aimed at training Maths teachers, a Marine Science degree and Podiatric Medicine, a programme unique in Ireland. Visitors to the information evening will also get information on NUI Galway’s newest degree programmes, a Bachelor of Commerce (Global Experience), Bachelor in Children’s Studies and the BSc (Applied Social Sciences). Sarah Geraghty, Student Recruitment and Outreach Manager at NUI Galway, said: “NUI Galway has a great deal to offer. Our own students tell us our lecturers are inspirational and challenge them to achieve their full potential. The student experience in Galway is second to none, and we want to bring a taste of that to County Kerry, while also providing all the practical information on accommodation, fees, scholarships and courses. With so many courses on offer, this event in Tralee is a perfect opportunity for prospective students to meet current students and lecturers to see what degree might be the right fit for them.” To find out more about the information evening in Tralee, contact NUI Galway's Schools Liaison Officer, Caroline Duggan on 086 997 1570 or caroline.duggan@niuigalway.ie -Ends-

Friday, 14 October 2016

Major national conference at NUI Galway with leading Irish and international speakers is centrepiece of The Centenary Conversations – a three day programme of talks, debates, exhibitions and performances Leading speakers from Ireland and around the globe will gather in Galway from the 10th to the 12th of November to participate in The Centenary Conversations, a major initiative of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. Details of the three-day Conference and Fringe programme were announced today (Friday 14th October) by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD., Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys TD and Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton TD. The centrepiece of the event is a major national conference, which is free to the public, titled ‘1916-2016 The Promise and Challenge of National Sovereignty’.  Hosted by NUI Galway and featuring a host of internationally-renowned academics, historians and special guests, the conference will explore and debate some of the most important issues and challenges facing us today.  The conference will be opened by An Taoiseach  and participants will include Minister Humphreys, Professor Roy Foster (University of Oxford), Professor Philip Pettit (Princeton University), Professor Louise Richardson (University of Oxford), Professor Clair Wills (Princeton University) and Professor Brendan O'Leary (University of Pennsylvania), as well as academics from across the entire third level sector in Ireland. Speaking at the announcement of The Centenary Conversations, Galway An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD said: “One of our greatest national talents is storytelling, which we do through literature, drama, poetry and other art forms.  Most of all we do it through conversations, in large groups and small.  This year we are re-living the experience of 1916 through historical analysis but also through the power of the arts in storytelling.  The National Conference in Galway will facilitate the exchange of views and opinions about the past, and how our understanding of the past can help us shape the future.  The wide-ranging events around the conference will extend and enlarge the conversation, bring in new audiences and perspectives – and will make this a great event not just for Galway but for the entire country.” Minister Heather Humphreys said: “2016 has been an extraordinary year for Ireland and for Irish people. As we come to the end of our year of reflection and remembrance, it is time for us to look to the future and explore ways in which we can build on the positive experience of our centenary year. Public participation and engagement, not just in the events of the Centenary Programme, but also in the discussions around our complex history, have been a hallmark of our approach to this year. Therefore, I am particularly pleased that admission to the National Conference is free and I would encourage everyone to attend, participate and enjoy this unique and exciting event.” Minster for Education and Skills Richard Bruton TD said: “The participation and engagement by thousands of students, teachers and academics, in every education institution in the country, played a huge part in the success of this year's Centenary Programme.  Creating opportunities and access for everyone to discover, learn and debate our shared history and what it means to be Irish today speaks to the value and importance of education in all our lives." In addition to the National Conference, a specially curated Fringe programme of talks, exhibitions, performances and special events will take place in NUI Galway and in venues across the city.  Highlights of the fringe programme include: Ceann Comhairle, Hector Ó hEochagáin will convene a special sitting of the 2116 Parliament, where ten guest speakers will deliver a five minute motion to the Assembly, after which questions may be taken from the floor. Look beyond the headlines and seek out the complicated and sometimes inconvenient truth in The Experts Bite Back, where experts fact-checks claims by politicians and the media on recent controversial issues and in a mission to get to the truth of the matter. Award-winning 16 x 16 Next Generation artist Sian Ní Mhuirí presents 16 and Rising, the story of a secret revolutionary organisation of women and men who gather in a basement to plan an insurrection that will transform the city, and challenge the survival of the 32nd Dáil. Host of the popular Hedge School series, Tommy Graham comes to Galway with the History Ireland Hedge School: All Changed, Changed Utterly … from 1916 to Brexit. A discussion with a difference, and considerable good humour! Details of The Centenary Conversations, Galway and the full 1916 – 2016 The Promise and Challenge of National Sovereignty Conference Programme as well as registration details are available now at www.ireland.ie Admission to the National Conference is free but registration is essential. ENDS Gach bóthar ag déanamh ar Ghaillimh do mhórócáid Chomórtha Céad Bliain   Comhdháil náisiúnta ollmhór in OÉ Gaillimh le cainteoirí Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta mór le rá mar phríomhimeacht Chomhráití an Chéid - clár trí lá de chainteanna, díospóireachtaí, taispeántais agus taibhithe   Beidh cainteoirí mór le rá as Éirinn agus áiteanna ar fud an domhain ag teacht le chéile i nGaillimh idir an 10 agus an 12 Samhain chun páirt a ghlacadh i gComhráití an Chéid, mórthionscnamh de chuid Éire 2016: Clár Comórtha Céad Bliain. Rinne an Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D, an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, Heather Humphreys TD, agus an tAire Oideachais agus Scileanna, Richard Bruton TD sonraí chlár na Comhdhála trí lá agus na Féile imeallaí a fhógairt inniu (Dé hAoine, an 14 Deireadh Fómhair).  Is é príomhócáid na himeachta mórchomhdháil náisiúnta, atá saor in aisce don phobal, dar teideal ‘1916-2016: Dóchas agus Dúshlán na Ceannasachta Náisiúnta’.  Mar chuid den chomhdháil, a bheidh á hóstáil ag OÉ Gaillimh agus ina mbeidh slua d’acadóirí, staraithe agus aíonna speisialta a bhfuil cáil idirnáisiúnta orthu ag glacadh páirte, déanfar cuid de na ceisteanna agus na dúshláin is tábhachtaí atá romhainn inniu a chíoradh agus a phlé.  Osclóidh an Taoiseach an chomhdháil agus i measc na rannpháirtithe beidh an tAire Humphreys, an tOllamh Roy Foster (Ollscoil Oxford), an tOllamh Philip Pettit (Ollscoil Princeton), an tOllamh Louise Richardson (Ollscoil Oxford), an tOllamh Clair Wills (Ollscoil Princeton) agus an tOllamh Brendan O’Leary (Ollsoil Pennsylvania), chomh maith le hacadóirí as ar fud na hearnála tríú leibhéal in Éirinn. Ag labhairt dó ag fógairt Chomhráití an Chéid, Gaillimh dúirt an Taoiseach Enda Kenny an méid seo: “ Is í an scéalaíocht ceann dár mbuanna náisiúnta is mó, agus baineann muid úsáid as litríocht, dráma, filíocht agus foirmeacha ealaíne eile leis na scéalta a insint.  Den chuid is mó, áfach, is trí chomhráití a dhéanann muid é sin, i ngrúpaí beaga nó sluaite móra.  I mbliana táimid ag déanamh iarracht taithí a fháil ar an saol i 1916 trí anailís stairiúil ach freisin trí chumhacht na scéalaíochta.  Leis an gComhdháil Náisiúnta i nGaillimh éascófar malairt tuairimí agus dearcthaí maidir leis an am a chuaigh thart agus conas is féidir lenár dtuisint ar an am sin cuidiú linn an todhchaí a mhúnlú.  Déanfaidh na himeachtaí fairsinge thart ar an gcomhdháil an comhrá a leathnú, agus meallfar lucht éisteachta agus meonta nua - agus cruthófar imeacht den scoth ní hamháin do Ghaillimh ach don tír iomlán.” Dúirt an tAire Heather Humphreys: “Ba bhliain iontach í 2016 d’Éirinn agus do mhuintir na hÉireann. Agus muid ag druidim le deireadh na bliana seo de mhachnamh agus de chuimhneamh, tá sé in am dúinn súil a chaitheamh chun cinn agus bealaí a fhiosrú ina bhféadfaidh muid tógáil ar an eispéireas dearfach a bhí againn i mbliain chomórtha an chéid. Ba shaintréith dár gcur chuige i leith na bliana seo rannpháirtíocht an phobail, ní hamháin in imeachtaí an Chláir Chomórtha ach freisin sa phlé a bhí againn faoinár stair chasta. Mar sin de, tá áthas orm ach go háirithe go bhfuil cead isteach chuig an gComhdháil Náisiúnta saor in aisce agus mholfainn do gach duine freastal air, páirt a ghlacadh ann agus sult a bhaint as an imeacht uathúil spreagúil seo. Bhi an méid seo le rá ag an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, Richard Bruton TD: “Bhí páirt mhór ag rannpháirtíocht na mílte mac léinn, múinteoirí agus acadóirí, i ngach institiúid sa tír, sa rath a bhí ar an gClár Comórtha céad bliain i mbliana.  Trí dheiseanna agus rochtain a chur ar fáil do chách lenár stair chomhroinnte agus an chiall atá le hÉireannachas sa lá atá inniu ann a fhiosrú, a fhoghlaim agus a phlé, léirítear luach agus tábhacht an oideachais inár saol.” Chomh maith leis an gComhdháil Náisiúnta, beidh clár Imeallach, a coimeádadh go speisialta, de chainteanna, taispeántais, taibhithe agus imeachtaí speisialta ar siúl in OÉ Gaillimh agus in ionaid eile ar fud na cathrach. Ar bhuaicphointí an chláir imeallaigh: Déanfaidh an Ceann Comhairle, Hector Ó hEochagáin, suí speisialta de Pharlaimint 2116 a thionól, ina gcuirfidh deichniúr aoichainteoirí tairiscint chúig nóiméad i láthair an Tionóil agus ina dhiaidh sin glacfar le ceisteanna ón lucht éisteachta. Féach ar an méid atá taobh thiar de na ceannlínte agus téigh ar thóir na fírinne casta, a bhíonn searbh go minic, le The Experts Bite Back, ina ndéanfaidh saineolaithe an méid atá maíte ag polaiteoirí agus na meáin i dtaca le ceisteanna conspóideacha le déanaí a sheiceáil ó thaobh fíricí de d’fhonn teacht ar fhírinne an scéil. Cuireann Sian Ní Mhuirí, ealaíontóir ar ar bronnadh an gradam 16 x 16 Next Generation, 16 and Rising i láthair, scéal faoi eagraíocht réabhlóideach rúnda de mhná agus fir a thagann le chéile in íoslach chun éirí amach a phleanáil a athróidh an chathair go hiomlán agus a chuirfidh dúshlán faoi shaol an 32ú Dáil. Tagann Tommy Graham, óstach na sraithe Hedge School, a bhfuil an-tóir uirthi, go Gaillimh le Scoil Scairte History Ireland: All Changed, Changed Utterly … from 1916 to Brexit. Plé as an ngnáth le go leor grinn! Tá sonraí Chomhráití an Chéid, Gaillimh agus Clár iomlán na Comhdhála 1916 – 2016 Dóchas agus Dúshlán na Ceannasachta Náisiúnta, chomh maith le sonraí clárúcháin, ar fáil anois ag www.ireland.ie Tá cead isteach chuig an gComhdháil Náisiúnta saor in aisce ach ní mór clárú lena haghaidh.   CRÍOCH  

Monday, 17 October 2016

Neograft, a Boston based medical technology company has teamed up with CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research in Medical Devices, to develop a novel manufacturing method for coronary bypass devices. Based at NUI Galway, CÚRAM has over 250 researchers engaged in current projects, both in collaboration with industry and on blue-sky research. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart and is used to treat people who have severe coronary heart disease (CHD). This type of surgery, which typically uses veins to create bypass grafts for the heart, is currently the best option for most patients with CHD. Outcomes can however be compromised by the mechanical and biological limitations of veins typically used to create the bypass grafts. Dr Eoin O’Cearbhaill, CÚRAM Investigator based at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at University College Dublin, whose Medical Devices Design Group will work with the company, explains that despite their widespread use, vein grafts continue to fail at high rates. “Many of these grafts can become obstructed in the first year and the failure rate can be up to 50% within five to ten years,” he says. Neograft Technologies, Inc. has developed a product called Angioshield™, which offers a new option for treatment of coronary artery disease and promises to improve vein performance and longevity in CABG outcomes. “Our Angioshield technology creates a support layer around the vein using a proprietary polymer network to improve both the strength and uniformity of the vein graft,” explains Jon McGrath, from Neograft’s CEO. “The device supports the vein without deforming its natural shape and allows nutrients and new cells to migrate into and through the support layer. Over time, new, stronger tissue develops around and within the scaffold, while the polymer that it’s made from weakens, allowing the new tissue to be exposed to its normal environment, which favours the development of stronger, more functional tissues.” Dr O’Cearbhaill’s research team will work with Neograft Technologies, Inc. and seek to use advanced manufacturing methods to develop a next-generation product. CÚRAM’s goal is to develop affordable solutions for patients suffering from chronic illnesses like CHD,” says NUI Galway’s Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM. “This project is another example of how we are partnering with industry to do this, using world class research expertise to allow our industry partners to expand and develop their product ranges to provide the ultimate benefit to the patient” he says. CÚRAM brings together strands of biomedical science which have come of age over the last decade including glycoscience, biomaterials science, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, drug delivery and medical device design. CÚRAM has six academic partners including UCD, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Cork, The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and NUI Galway. ENDS

Thursday, 13 October 2016

Edel Browne, a third year biotechnology student at NUI Galway and founder of Free Feet Medical, has been selected to pitch at the Blackstone LaunchPad Showcase at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Conference. The conference will run from 16-19 October in Boston. Chosen after a competitive process across the Blackstone LaunchPad global network, 19-year-old Edel secured her place in the top six. Edel’s company Free Feet Medical is developing a device which helps people with Parkinson’s disease overcome gait freezing, a symptom affecting over 70% of those diagnosed with the disease. As student entrepreneur-in-residence with Blackstone LaunchPad at NUI Galway, Edel from Athenry, Co. Galway, is excited at the opportunities this international exposure will bring. Winning teams will be announced by Jon Gray, Blackstone’s Global Head of Real Estate, and Randall Lane, Editor of Forbes. This achievement has come on the back of a very productive few months for Free Feet Medical with the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on FundIt that has already raised €9,000 and the announcement that Free Feet was selected as a finalist for Women Mean Business Awards, Best Newcomer. To donate to Free Feet Medical please visit http://fundit.ie/project/freefeetmedical. Blackstone LaunchPad at NUI Galway is well represented at Forbes 30 Under 30 with a second team, Crono Labs, also attending the conference. Crono Labs has developed a revolutionary case to conveniently carry your computer monitor and reduce cable clutter. The venture is run by NUI Galway students Ruairi McNicholas and Oliver Burke, both from Headford, Co. Galway, and is still in the prototype phase. Executive Director of Blackstone LaunchPad NUI Galway, Mary Carty said: “I am thrilled for Edel. Her hard work and passion is inspiring. It’s a fantastic opportunity to drive her business forward. The exposure and opportunities this event will bring to Free Feet Medical is incredible. Having two teams, Free Feet Medical and Crono Labs attend Forbes 30 Under 30 is a fantastic achievement for NUI Galway. It’s testament to the creativity and ambition of our students and the supports available to them on campus. Seeing our start-ups recognised on a global stage, bodes very well for the future of the next generation of entrepreneurs in Ireland.” Since February, Blackstone LaunchPad at NUI Galway has supported over 2,000 students. The ethos is to support and empower each student by creating supports specific to individual needs and personal development; to help them to shape their pathway and celebrate their own unique talents and strengths. -Ends-

Thursday, 13 October 2016

NUI Galway last night celebrated the success of a select group of first-year students with a special ceremony, in recognition of the high points they achieved in the recent Leaving Certificate Examination. As part of the University's annual Excellence Scholarships, 60 students received €1,500 each. Each year the Excellence Scholarships are given to new entrants at NUI Galway who reached a minimum of 560 points in their Leaving Certificate examination, except in Medicine. For Medical students, 10 Scholarships were awarded certificates, based on the combined results in the Leaving Certificate and the new Admissions Test (H-PAT Ireland). The Excellence Scholarships are designed to recognise and reward Leaving Cert success for the highest-achieving students, and encourage their ongoing commitment to academic excellence during their time at NUI Galway. The awards may be held with any other scholarships or grants, including the University's Postgraduate Scholarships, Mature Student Scholarships, Sports Scholarship Scheme and schemes specific to individual colleges for those who excel in their University exams. Speaking at the Awards presentation, NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne, said: “I am delighted to present the scholarships to these outstanding individuals in recognition of their academic talent. NUI Galway constantly strives to support and promote academic excellence across all disciplines. The purpose of these Awards is to encourage each student to develop his/her academic potential to the fullest, by setting a realistic threshold of excellence and rewarding every student who attains that level. It is also a chance to give due credit to their parents and teachers for their important contribution to such success.” This year Excellence Scholarships were awarded to students from 43 individual schools throughout Ireland. The winners represented 13 counties including Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, and Westmeath. -Ends- Ceiliúradh in OÉ Gaillimh ar Scothmhic Léinn a rinne Éacht san Ardteistiméireacht  Rinneadh ceiliúradh in OÉ Gaillimh le gairid ar ghrúpa ar leith mac léinn chéad bhliana ag searmanas speisialta, mar aitheantas ar na pointí arda a ghnóthaigh siad i Scrúdú na hArdteistiméireachta. Mar chuid de shearmanas bliantúil na hOllscoile le Scoláireachtaí Sármhaitheasa a bhronnadh, bronnadh scoláireachtaí ar fiú €1,500 iad ar 60 mac léinn. Bronntar na Scoláireachtaí Sármhaitheasa gach bliain ar mhic léinn atá díreach tosaithe ag freastal ar OÉ Gaillimh agus a fuair 560 pointe, ar a laghad, i Scrúdú na hArdteistiméireachta, seachas mic léinn Leighis. Sa Leigheas, bronnadh deich Scoláireacht bunaithe ar thorthaí na hArdteistiméireachta agus na Tástála Iontrála nua (H-PAT Ireland) araon. Tá na Scoláireachtaí Sármhaitheasa ann chun luach saothair a thabhairt do na daltaí is fearr a n-éiríonn leo san Ardteistiméireacht, agus chun a dtiomantas leanúnach i sárchaighdeán acadúil a spreagadh le linn a dtréimhse in OÉ Gaillimh. D’fhéadfaí go mbeadh scoláireachtaí nó deontais eile ag an té a fhaigheann na scoláireachtaí seo, Scoláireachtaí Iarchéime na hOllscoile, Scoláireachtaí do Mhic Léinn Lánfhásta, Scéim Scoláireachtaí Spóirt na hOllscoile agus scéimeanna a bhaineann go sonrach le coláistí agus iad siúd a n-éiríonn thar barr leo sna scrúduithe Ollscoile san áireamh. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an Dr Jim Browne, agus é ag labhairt ag an searmanas: “Is cúis áthais dom na scoláireachtaí seo a bhronnadh ar na daoine den scoth seo mar aitheantas ar a gcumas acadúil. Déanann OÉ Gaillimh iarracht i gcónaí tacú le sárchaighdeán acadúil i ngach uile dhisciplín agus é a spreagadh. Tá na Gradaim seo ann le gach mac léinn a spreagadh le lántairbhe a bhaint as a gcumas mar mhic léinn, trí thairseach réalaíoch sárchaighdeáin a leagan amach agus luach saothair a thabhairt do gach mac léinn a bhaineann an leibhéal sin amach. Deis atá ann freisin le haitheantas a thabhairt don tsárobair atá déanta ag a dtuismitheoirí agus ag a múinteoirí.” I mbliana bronnadh na Scoláireachtaí Sármhaitheasa ar scoláirí ó 43 scoil ar fud na hÉireann. Tá scoláireachtaí le bronnadh ar mhic léinn as na contaetha seo a leanas – an Clár, Corcaigh, Baile Átha Cliath, Gaillimh, Ciarraí, Cill Dara, Luimneach, Maigh Eo, Uíbh Fhailí, Ros Comáin, Sligeach, Tiobraid Árann agus an Iarmhí. -Críoch-

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Pat Lam to be conferred with honorary doctorate during conferring week Pat Lam, head coach of Connacht Rugby, and former rugby international is to be recognised at NUI Galway with an honorary degree for his achievements which have significantly enriched both Connacht and the wider community. The ceremony on 17 October, will form part of NUI Galway’s Autumn Conferring Ceremonies at which over 2,500 students will graduate between 13-19 October. Pat Lam joins sporting luminaries including the late Christy O’Connor Snr and Jr, and Mick Loftus, in being recognised with an honorary degree by the University. Pat Lam is a New Zealand born rugby union coach who in May 2016, led Connacht Rugby to their first championship win and first trophy in 131 years by winning the Guinness PRO12. Of Samoan descent, he was previously an international player representing New Zealand and Samoa as well as playing in the English Premiership. In advance of the conferring ceremonies, Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway, said: “On behalf of NUI Galway, I congratulate all our graduands and extend a warm welcome to their parents, families and friends. We are delighted to acknowledge their outstanding achievements and wish them continued success in the future.” President Browne added: “Earlier this year, NUI Galway offered its heartiest congratulations to Pat Lam, his heroic players and committed backroom team on their massive win in the Rugby PRO12 Final. We are delighted to now formally recognise the contribution of Pat Lam with an honorary doctorate as members and former members of his squad and from the Rugby Academy also graduate. Their performance over the past season made the University, the province - and indeed the nation - proud and has set hearts racing across Connacht. NUI Galway is fortunate to be associated with many outstanding honorary graduates throughout its history and we are very pleased to be in a position to recognise this major sporting achievement.” Five players from Connacht Rugby to graduate along with their coach on Monday, include, Jack Dinneen (BComm), Conor Finn (BA), Eoghan Masterson (BA), Saba Meunargia (BA), and Danny Qualter (BA). Degrees, Higher Diplomas and Masters will be awarded to students graduating over the five days from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; College of Engineering and Informatics; College of Business, Public Policy and Law; College of Science; and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. The annual Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development ceremonies will take place on Saturday, 15 October, where awards will be conferred on over 800 students who completed their certificate, diploma and degree courses at many locations across the country. -Ends- Onóracha do Chóitseálaí Rugbaí Chonnacht in OÉ Gaillimh  Dochtúireacht Oinigh le bronnadh ar Pat Lam i rith bhronnadh na gcéimeanna Tá céim oinigh le bronnadh ag OÉ Gaillimh ar Pat Lam, príomhchóitseálaí Rugbaí Chonnacht, agus iarimreoir rugbaí idirnáisiúnta as an méid atá déanta aige do rugbaí Chonnacht agus don phobal i gcoitinne. Beidh an searmanas ar siúl an 17 Deireadh Fómhair mar chuid de Shearmanais Bhronnadh Céimeanna an Fhómhair in OÉ Gaillimh áit a bhfaighidh os cionn 2,500 mac léinn a gcuid cáilíochtaí ón 13-19 Deireadh Fómhair.  Ní hé Pat Lam an chéad laoch spóirt a fuair céim oinigh ón Ollscoil mar gur bronnadh céimeanna oinigh roimhe seo ar Christy O’Connor Sinsear agus Sóisear, agus ar Mick Loftus.  Rugadh Pat Lam sa Nua-Shéalainn agus is cóitseálaí rugbaí é a bhí i gceannas ar Rugbaí Chonnacht nuair a ghnóthaigh siad a gcéad chraobh i mí Bealtaine 2016 agus a gcéad chorn le 131 bliain nuair a ghnóthaigh siad an Guinness PRO12. Is de bhunadh Shamó é, agus bhí sé ina imreoir idirnáisiúnta don Nua-Shéalainn agus Samó agus d'imir sé i bPríomhroinn Shasana. Ag labhairt dó roimh na searmanais bhronnta, dúirt an Dr Jim Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh: “Thar ceann OÉ Gaillimh, déanaim comhghairdeas lenár gcéimithe ar fad agus tá fearadh na fáilte roimh a dtuismitheoirí, a dteaghlaigh agus a gcairde. Tá ríméad orainn aitheantas a thabhairt dá gcuid éachtaí agus guímid gach rath orthu san am atá le teacht.” Dúirt an tUachtarán Browne chomh maith: “Níos túisce i mbliana, bhí OÉ Gaillimh ag tréaslú le Pat Lam, agus a chuid imreoirí iontacha agus an fhoireann sa chúlra as a mbua i gCraobh Rugbaí an PRO12. Is cúis áthais dúinn aitheantas foirmiúil a thabhairt d'éachtaí Pat Lam anois le céim oinigh, go mór mór agus imreoirí dá fhoireann ag fáil a gcuid céimeanna chomh maith.  De bharr a gcuid buanna an séasúr seo caite tá an Ollscoil, an cúige - agus fiú an tír ar fad - bródúil as Connacht agus tá ardú misnigh tugtha dúinn ar fad i gConnachta. Tá an t-ádh le OÉ Gaillimh céimithe oinigh den scoth a bheith aici in imeacht na mblianta agus is mór an onóir dúinn a bheith in ann aitheantas a thabhairt don éacht spóirt seo.” Is iad an cúigear ó Rugbaí Chonnacht atá ag fáil a gcuid céimeanna in éineacht leis an gcóitseálaí Dé Luain, Jack Dinneen (BComm), Conor Finn (BA), Eoghan Masterson (BA), Saba Meunargia (BA), agus Danny Qualter (BA). Bronnfar Céimeanna, Ard-Dioplómaí, Máistreachtaí agus PhDanna le linn na gcúig lá ar mhic léinn ó Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte; ó Choláiste na hInnealtóireachta agus na hIonformaitice; ó Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí; ó Choláiste na hEolaíochta; agus ó Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh. Beidh searmanais bhliantúla an Ionaid Foghlama agus Forbartha Gairmiúla d'Aosaigh ar siúl Dé Sathairn, an 15 Deireadh Fómhair, áit a mbronnfar dámhachtainí ar níos mó ná 800 mac léinn a chríochnaigh a gcúrsaí teastais, dioplóma agus céime in ionaid éagsúla ar fud na tíre. -Críoch-

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Playwright Thomas Kilroy launched a new book on Maud Gonne, The Adulterous Muse, at the Moore Institute, NUI Galway on Monday, 10 October. Written by Adrian Frazier, Professor Emeritus at NUI Galway, the book focuses on Maud Gonne, and her relationships with Lucien Millevoye and WB Yeats. Professor Adrian Fraizer uses the vast resources of newly digitised French newspapers and journals to track the celebrated Gonne and her beloved Lucien Millevoye through the sensational turmoil of the Third Republic in France and into the violent push for a Republic in Ireland. This biography pursues the story of what attracted Maud Gonne to a man like Lucien Millevoye, and what imprint the attachment left upon her. Once jilted by Millevoye, Maud Gonne marched into a truly ill-starred marriage to Major John MacBride. The horrible truth of their mismatch is examined through the evidence entered by both parties in the divorce proceedings. Maud Gonne was the beautiful and charismatic inspiration of Yeats’s love poetry, a leading activist in the Irish republican movement and the founder of Inghinidhe na hÉireann (Daughters of Ireland). The shifting levels of awareness, desire, and mutual complicity in self-deception on the part of WB Yeats and his muse are traced with subtlety. Ultimately, the effect of the group biography as a whole is to make Yeats’s early love poems, so long in the public eye, more visible than they have ever been. -ends-

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Experiencing anger/emotional upset or heavy physical exertion linked with a doubling of heart attack risk. Being angry or emotionally upset while engaging in heavy physical exertion linked with a tripling of heart attack risk. The findings do not negate the benefits of appropriate, regular physical activity in preventing heart attacks. Study, largest of its kind, analysed data from 12,461 patients with an average age 58. Being angry or emotionally upset or engaging in heavy physical exertion may trigger a heart attack, according to new research published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. In a large international study, researchers found an association (more than twice the risk) between anger or emotional upset and the onset of heart attack symptoms within one hour. The same was true for heavy physical exertion during the hour before their first heart attack. However, the association was stronger (more than triple the risk) in those patients who recalled being angry or emotionally upset while also engaging in heavy physical exertion. “Previous studies have explored these heart attack triggers; however, they had fewer participants or were completed in one country, and data was limited from many parts of the world,” said Dr Andrew Smyth, study lead author and a researcher at the HRB Clinical Research Facility at NUI Galway and the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University, Canada. “This is the first study to represent so many regions of the world, including the majority of the world’s major ethnic groups.” Researchers analysed data from 12,461 patients (average age 58) participating in INTERHEART, a study consisting of patients with first-ever heart attacks across 52 countries. Participants completed a questionnaire about whether they experienced any of the triggers in the one hour before their heart attack. They were also asked if they had experienced any of the triggers in the same one hour period on the day before their heart attack. Authors said that these triggers appeared to independently increase a person’s heart attack risk beyond that posed by other risk factors, including age, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and other health problems linked to heart attack.  “This large, nearly worldwide study provides more evidence of the crucial link between mind and body,” said Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D., an American Heart Association volunteer and director of behavioral sciences at the Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program in Springfield, Pennsylvania. “Excess anger, under the wrong conditions, can cause a life-threatening heart attack. All of us should practice mental wellness and avoid losing our temper to extremes.” Dr Andrew Smyth said that extreme emotional and physical triggers are thought to have similar effects on the body. “Both can raise blood pressure and heart rate, changing the flow of blood through blood vessels and reducing blood supply to the heart” he said. “This is particularly important in blood vessels already narrowed by plaque, which could block the flow of blood leading to a heart attack.” “Regular physical activity has many health benefits, including the prevention of heart disease, so we want that to continue,” he said. “However, we would recommend that a person who is angry or upset who wants to exercise to relieve some of this stress, not go well beyond their normal routine to extremes of activity.” One limitation of the study was that participants had to recall their triggers. After a heart attack, a person may be more inclined to say they experienced a trigger than they otherwise would be. In addition, participants were not given any descriptions of being angry or emotionally upset or of heavy physical exertion. Self-defined, these triggers appear to have the same effect across countries and ethnicities. “People who are at risk of a heart attack would do best to avoid extreme emotional situations,” Jacobs said. “One way many cope with the emotional ups and downs of a health condition is through peer support, talking with others who are facing similar challenges can be very helpful in better managing your own emotions.” -ends- 

Monday, 10 October 2016

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) will hold an international conference on Quality Outcomes in Youth Mentoring on Thursday, 13 October, in NUI Galway. The event takes place in conjunction with the Global Youth Mentoring Network. Featuring international speakers as well as academics and practitioners from Ireland, the conference will highlight how using trained volunteer adult mentors to support young people can have positive outcomes for young people dealing with challenges and transitions in their lives. Mentoring is used by organisations such as the ISPCC and Foróige in Ireland, to support young people with a range of needs. While mentoring, as a means of providing social support for young people is well-established, the factors that contribute to high quality outcomes for young people are less clear. This conference will explore research and evidence based practice in relation to Youth Mentoring with a focus on real life examples of what works in practice.  The factors that contribute to high quality mentoring programmes and some of the challenges of measuring outcomes in everyday contexts will be examined along with guidelines for practice improvement. Speakers on the day will include Professor Pat Dolan, UNESCO Chair in Children, Civic and Youth Engagement from NUI Galway, Grainia Long from the ISPCC and Séan Campbell, CEO of Foróige. Tess Noonan, Assistant Director for Quality and Risk for the ISPCC, stated: “This conference will be particularly helpful for anyone who is interested in providing social support for young people. The topics which will be covered will vary from building resilience in young people to why youth mentoring matters, from some of the most influential people working with young people. It promises to be an informative day and since it is free to attend, we would encourage anyone with an interest to join us.” Dr Bernadine Brady, Lecturer and Senior Researcher at UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway stated: “We are delighted to be hosting this conference, and contributing to the academic study of youth mentoring. Supporting youth organisations to measure and evaluate programmes such as mentoring and to understand why certain practices are effective is key to ensuring that young people get access to the best possible services. We look forward to a really interesting day, and encourage anyone working with young people or considering using a mentoring model to attend.” This event is free to attend, registration is via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/quality-outcomes-in-youth-mentoring-tickets-26464909256.   ENDS