August

University of Galway has issued offers to more than 3,800 new students for the 2025/26 academic year.    With Round One of the Central Applications Office (CAO) process underway, Interim President of University of Galway Professor Peter McHugh shared a message of congratulations to the Leaving Certificate class of 2025 for their efforts and achievements.  With a record level of applications to the CAO in 2025, University of Galway is offering 3,871 places to first year undergraduate students.   Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “Each and every student who completed their school years this year deserves a very warm welcome, and the best of good wishes, for the next step on their journey - Comhghairdeas to the Leaving Cert class of 2025.  “These students will no doubt recall the challenges of their school years, from the pandemic, to the state exams, to the questions posed by grade inflation. What they should always remember is the tremendous amount they have achieved already, and that they are now set on a path towards further development and achievement, and the opening up of exciting new horizons.  “Our admissions team at the University of Galway is once again doing stellar work to facilitate such huge numbers of students, and we look forward to offering them the very best in education and an unrivalled student experience at the University.”  Some of the key trends in undergraduate courses at University of Galway for the 2025/26 academic year are:   Two thirds of courses have seen points increase.   All major subject areas experienced this trend, with the largest jumps evident in flagship omnibus programmes in Arts, Science and Business - BA Joint Honours up 50 points; Bachelor of Science up 40; Bachelor of Commerce up 24 points - pointing to increased popularity in flexible programmes that offer opportunities to specialise later.   As expected, Medicine is random allocation (728 points).   Pharmacy (MPharm), a new 5 year undergrad course at University of Galway, is also random allocation (601 points), with 40 places on offer. The course will expand to offer 75 places in September 2026, responding to the need for qualified pharmacists nationally and the demand for the career.   Reflecting the national trend in CAO applications for healthcare courses, many of University of Galway’s degrees in health and biosciences experienced strong growth - Biotechnology up 28 points; Biopharmaceutical Chemistry up 22; and a significant rise in points across all three nursing programmes.   All Engineering programmes are above 500 points, emphasising the significance of sectors such as medtech in the region and strong career opportunities for graduates.   Similar to the national trend of a 20% increase in CAO applications for Maths and Statistics courses, there has been an increase in the cut-off points for Mathematical Science up 32 points; Physics up 21 points; and Financial Mathematics and Economics up 36 points. These fields feed directly into high-demand careers in data analytics, AI and fintech.   Environmental Science has seen the cut-off points level up by 35 to more than 400 while Marine Science and Earth and Ocean Science are also above 400 points.     BComm (Accounting) rose by 21 points, reflecting the opportunities amidst a well-documented shortfall of professionals in finance and audit sectors. Commerce with Gaeilge was up 33 points.    Courses linked to societal impact also showed increased demand - BA Government (Politics, Economics and Law) is up 61 points; Human Rights up 55 points; BA (Child, Youth and Family, Policy and Practice) up 51 points and all Law programmes continuing to cut off well over 500 CAO points, including Law and Human Rights, up 14 points.  Ends  

Tá mionsraith cheannródaíoch le craoladh ar TG4 ina ndéanfar cíoradh ar chluichí Gaelacha ar an scáileán mór ó thús an fichiú haois. Clár a bhfuil dhá chuid ann is ea Iománaíocht Hollywood: Cluichí Gaelacha ar Scannán / Hollywood Hurling: Gaelic Games on Film ina dtugtar léargas uathúil ar an gcaoi ar cuireadh Éire, muintir na hÉireann agus ár spóirt náisiúnta i láthair ar an scáileán mór agus san áireamh leis sin tá scannáin a rinneadh i stiúideonna móra Hollywood chomh maith le scannáin a rinne stiúrthóirí mar John Ford, an Meiriceánach de bhunadh na hÉireann, a bhain gradam Oscar amach.  Is é an comhlacht léiriúcháin LMDÓC a rinne an clár do TG4, le maoiniú ó Choimisiún na Meán, agus tá sé bunaithe ar an leabhar clúiteach Gaelic Games on Film: From silent films to Hollywood hurling, horror and the emergence of Irish cinema (Cork University Press, 2019) leis an acadóir Seán Crosson de chuid Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, arb é a scríobh an script don tsraith freisin, agus a bhí ina léiritheoir comhlach. Déanann an clár rianú freisin ar an ról lárnach a bhí ag cluichí Gaelacha i dteacht in inmhe cultúr dúchasach scannánaíochta in Éirinn sa dara leath den fhichiú haois. Tá céad chlár na sraithe le craoladh ar an 4 Meán Fómhair ag 9.30pm (agus le hathchraoladh ar an 5 agus an 7 Meán Fómhair) agus tá an dara clár le craoladh ar an 11 Meán Fómhair ag 9.30pm (agus le hathchraoladh ar an 12 agus an 14 Meán Fómhair). Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Dr Seán Crosson: “Pribhléid a bhí ann oibriú ar an tsraith seo leis an stiúrthóir Mac Dara Ó Curraidhín agus le TG4, agus leagan físiúil a dhéanamh den taighde atá ar siúl agam le beagnach 20 bliain anois ar an sciar den chartlann uathúil atá tagtha slán. Tugann na cláir seo (agus iad siúd ar fad a bhí rannpháirteach) léargas uathúil dúinn ní hamháin ar léiriú agus ar fhorbairt cluichí Gaelacha, ach ar shochaí agus ar chultúr na hÉireann i dtéarmaí níos leithne. Athimirt cluiche ceannais sinsir peile na hÉireann in 1914 idir Loch Garman agus Ciarraí an píosa scannáin is sine atá tagtha slán.” Dúirt léiritheoir na sraithe Mac Dara Ó Curraidhín: “Ba mhór an onóir é dul i gcomhar le Seán Crosson agus leis an bhfoireann agus criú léiriúcháin iontach chun sraith teilifíse a dhéanamh as an ábhar dúshlánach seo. Abraím é sin mar dhuine a bhí ina pheileadóir leathréasúnta, ach gan na scileanna céanna a bheith agam don iomáint ná don liathróid láimhe, agus a bhfuil luí agam le hábhair cartlainne, go háirithe físeáin agus grianghraif. Is fiú a lua go raibh ábhar cartlainne de chineál éigin i mbeagnach gach ceann de na cláir atá déanta againn le 31 bliain anuas.” Tá píosaí scannáin cartlainne iontacha ó thús an fichiú haois sa tsraith ina dtugtar spléachadh ar chluichí Gaelacha agus ar shochaí na hÉireann. Labhraíonn daoine mór le rá i réimse an chultúir agus na hacadúlachta sna cláir chomh maith, agus áirítear leo sin an tOllamh Paul Rouse, an tOllamh Mike Cronin, an tOllamh Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, an tOllamh Dermot Keogh, an Dr Ciara Chambers, na déantóirí scannán Fergus Tighe agus Bob Quinn, an cineamatagrafaí Nick O'Neill, agus imreoir clúiteach Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Bhaile Átha Cliath Jimmy Gray, a bhfuil an tsraith tiomnaithe dó. Tá leagan faoi chlúdach bog den leabhar ar ar bunaíodh an tsraith Gaelic Games on Film: From silent films to Hollywood hurling, horror and the emergence of Irish cinema (Cork University Press, 2025) díreach foilsithe i gcomhthráth leis an gcraoladh seo, agus tá fáil air i siopaí leabhar maithe agus ar líne ar https://www.corkuniversitypress.com/9781782050186/gaelic-games-on-film/ Críoch

TG4 is to screen a ground-breaking mini-series exploring Gaelic games on film since the beginning of the 20th century. Iománaíocht Hollywood: Cluichí Gaelacha ar Scannán / Hollywood Hurling: Gaelic Games on Film is a two-part programme offering a unique insight into how Ireland, Irish people and our national sports have been depicted in cinema, including in productions from major Hollywood studios and directors such as seminal Oscar-winning Irish-American director John Ford. An LMDÓC Production for TG4 funded by Coimisiún na Meán, the series is based on the acclaimed  book Gaelic Games on Film: From silent films to Hollywood hurling, horror and the emergence of Irish cinema (Cork University Press, 2019) by University of Galway academic Seán Crosson, who also wrote and is associate producer of the series. The programme also traces the central role of Gaelic games in the emergence of an indigenous Irish film culture in the second half of the 20th century. Episode 1 from the series is to be broadcast on September 4th  at 9.30pm (with repeats on Sept 5th and 7th) and episode 2 will be broadcast on September 11th at 9.30pm (with repeats on the 12th and 14th). Dr Seán Crosson said: “It was a privilege to work with director Mac Dara Ó Curraidhín and TG4 on this series, realising visually and via the extraordinary surviving archive the research I have been engaged with for almost 20 years now. The films (and our many contributors) give us a unique insight into not just the depiction and development of Gaelic games, but also Irish society and culture more broadly from the earliest surviving footage of the 1914 all-Ireland senior football final replay between Wexford and Kerry.” Series director director Mac Dara Ó Curraidhín said: “As someone who has played our games - I was a decent footballer, but not as skilled at hurling and handball - and who has a a strong passion for archival materials, especially videos and photos - almost all the shows we've produced over the past 31 years have included archival content to some extent - it was genuinely an honour to collaborate on Iománaíocht Hollywood with Seán Crosson and the amazing production team and crew we gathered to turn this challenging subject matter into a series.” The series features stunning archive footage of Gaelic games and Irish society from the beginning of the 20th century. It also carries contributions from a range of leading cultural and academic figures including Professor Paul Rouse, Professor Mike Cronin, Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Professor Dermot Keogh, Dr Ciara Chambers, filmmakers Fergus Tighe and Bob Quinn, cinematographer Nick O'Neill, and the late Dublin GAA legend Jimmy Gray, to whom the series is dedicated. To coincide with the broadcast, a new paperback edition of the book that inspired the series Gaelic Games on Film: From silent films to Hollywood hurling, horror and the emergence of Irish cinema (Cork University Press, 2025) has also just been published and is now available in all good book shops and online from https://www.corkuniversitypress.com/9781782050186/gaelic-games-on-film/ Ends

An international team of astronomers, co-led by researchers at University of Galway, has made the unexpected discovery of a new planet. Detected at an early stage of formation around a young analog of our own Sun, the planet is estimated to be about 5 million years-old and most likely a gas giant of similar size to Jupiter. The study, which was led by Leiden University, University of Galway and University of Arizona, has been published in the international journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. The ground-breaking discovery was made using one of the world’s most advanced observatories - the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) in the Atacama Desert in Chile. To coincide with the research being published, the European Southern Observatory - the world’s foremost international astronomy organisation - has released a stunning image of the discovery as their picture of the week. View image here (see notes to editors below).   The new planet has been named WISPIT 2b. Dr Christian Ginski, lecturer at the School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway and second author of the study, said: “We used these really short snapshot observations of many young stars - only a few minutes per object - to determine if we could see a little dot of light next to them that is caused by a planet. However, in the case of this star, we instead detected a completely unexpected and exceptionally beautiful multi-ringed dust disk. “When we saw this multi-ringed disk for the first time, we knew we had to try and see if we could detect a planet within it, so we quickly asked for follow-up observations.” It is only the second time a confirmed planet has been detected at this early evolutionary stage around a young version of our Sun. The first one was discovered in 2018, by a research team also involving Dr Ginski. WISPIT 2b is also the first unambiguous planet detection in a multi-ringed disk, making it the ideal laboratory to study planet-disk interaction and subsequent evolution. The planet was captured in near infrared light – the type of view that someone would see when using night-vision goggles - as it is still glowing and hot after its initial formation phase. The team at Leiden University and University of Galway captured a spectacular clear image of the young proto-planet embedded in a disk gap. They also confirmed that the planet is orbiting its host star. The planet was also detected in visible light by a team from the University of Arizona using a specially designed instrument. This detection at a specific wavelength or colour of light indicates that the planet is still actively accreting gas as it is forming its atmosphere. WISPIT 2b was detected as part of a five-year observational research project during which the international team sought to establish whether wide orbit gas giant planets are more common around younger or older stars. This led to the unexpected discovery of the new planet. Dust and gas rich disks around young stars are the birth cradles of planets. They can look quite spectacular with many different structures such as rings and spiral arms, which researchers believe are related to planets forming within them. The disk around WISPIT 2b has a radius of 380 astronomical units - about 380 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. Dr Ginski added: “Capturing an image of these forming planets has proven extremely challenging and it gives us a real chance to understand why the many thousands of older exoplanet systems out there look so diverse and so different from our own solar system. I think many of our colleagues who study planet formation will take a close look at this system in the years to come.” The study was led by an early career PhD student, Richelle van Capelleveen from Leiden University and co-led by a graduate student team at University of Galway. The research findings were co-authored by Dr Ginski and three Physics graduates students who are specialising in Astrophysics at University of Galway. A companion study by the University of Arizona was led by Professor Laird Close, where observations were triggered based on the information shared about the new disk by the University of Galway and Leiden University team.             Richelle van Capelleveen said: “Discovering this planet was an amazing experience - we were incredibly lucky. WISPIT 2, a young version of our Sun, is located in a little-studied group of young stars, and we did not expect to find such a spectacular system. This system will likely be a benchmark for years to come.” Dr Ginski said: “We were so fortunate to have these incredible young researchers on the case. This is the next generation of astrophysicists who I am sure will make more breakthrough discoveries in the years to come.” Chloe Lawlor, PhD student in Physics with a specialisation in Astrophysics at University of Galway, said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to be involved in such an exciting and potentially career defining discovery. WISPIT 2b, with its position within its birth disk, is a beautiful example of a planet that can be used to explore current planet formation models. I am certain this will become a landmark paper, owing particularly to the work of Richelle van Capelleveen and her exceptional team.” Jake Byrne, MSc student in Physics with a specialisation in Astrophysics at University of Galway, said: “The planet is a remarkable discovery. I could hardly believe it was a real detection when Dr Ginski first showed me the image. It’s a big one - that’s sure to spark discussion within the research community and advance our understanding of planet formation. Contributing to something this impactful, and doing so alongside international collaborators, is exactly the kind of opportunity early-career researchers like Chloe, Dan and I dream of.” Dan McLachlan, MSc student in Physics with a specialisation in Astrophysics at University of Galway, said: “In my experience so far working in astronomy, sometimes you can get so focused on a small task and you forget about the big picture, and when you zoom out and take in the magnitude of what you are working on it shocks you. This was one such project (an exoplanet direct detection!) and it was such a mind-blowing thing to be a part of. I feel so well treated by the University of Galway Physics department and especially my supervisor Dr Christian Ginski to have provided me with the opportunity to be part of such an exciting project.” Two research papers have been published in Astrophysical Journal Letter in relation to the discovery: Discovery of planet WISPIT 2b in formation and captured in infrared light using ESO-VLT in research project led by Leiden University and University of Galway https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adf721  Detection of WISPIT 2b in visible light led by University of Arizona https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adf7a5   Ends

A new digital oral history archive has been launched at University of Galway celebrating the lives, experiences, and legacy of Irish show people involved in variety, fit ups, travelling cinemas, fairgrounds, circus, sideshows and more. The project is a partnership between University of Galway Library, the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS), The Irish Showmen’s Guild, and Archives Ireland and is being created to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Ireland’s travelling show community. The archive, ‘Voices of the Showmen’, was officially launched at a special event held on the University campus today as part of Heritage Week 2025. The launch event showcased the development of the Irish Showman’s Archive, a digital repository that documents and preserves the stories, experiences, and cultural contributions of Ireland’s travelling show families over the past two centuries. The archive features recorded interviews, family histories, and first-hand accounts spanning generations of travelling show life. As part of the event, Harry McFadden and Marion Daniels King, both of whom come from generations of travelling show families, took part in a public conversation with University Archivist Dr Barry Houlihan, offering personal insight into the world of travelling fairs. ISACS were recently awarded funding through the Heritage Council of Ireland towards the realisation of the oral history archive, which will be made available online by University of Galway Library later this year.             Lucy Medlycott, Director of ISACS Network, said: “Working together with the Irish Showmen’s Guild and University of Galway Library towards preserving and recording the history and legacy of the Showmen’s community for future generations has been an absolute honour and a privilege. Through doing this project we are aiming to gather and share the knowledge across generations and between communities highlighting the pioneering work that the Showmen have delivered within the Irish arts world for over two centuries.”             Monica Crump, University Librarian, said: "The University of Galway Library holds many archival collections relating to the performing arts, which are a fantastic source of inspiration, teaching and research.  I am delighted that our collections will now include the important contribution of Irish showmen to Irish society and culture, through the stories, memories and experiences of Irish show people recorded in these oral histories."             David Duffy, Executive member, Irish Showmen’s Guild, said: “On behalf of the Irish Showmen’s Guild, we are delighted and honoured to be here at University of Galway in what we hope is the first steps in documenting Irish Show people’s history and contribution to entertaining Irish families for centuries and their role in Irish heritage, culture and social history.”             Dr Barry Houlihan, Archivist at University of Galway Library, said: “The lives and craft of the Irish show people are an integral part of our national culture and history. By recording and preserving these oral histories of the families and artists who have made this their life's work, we are sharing a rich and important heritage for the future.” Ends

Two graduates from University of Galway’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences have been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for Civic Engagement, recognising their exceptional contributions to university life and wider society during their time as students. Summer 2025 graduates Dr Dylan O’Halloran and Faith Ugiagbe were honoured for their leadership in areas ranging from humanitarian advocacy and global health to mentoring, health education and cultural inclusion.  The Gold Medal for Civic Engagement is awarded annually to students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to civic, social or cultural affairs during their time at the University.  Dr Dylan O’Halloran, from Galway City, graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) degree. He has been a transformative force in student life, championing global health equity, anti-racism education and international solidarity.  As a leader of Voluntary Services Abroad (VSA), he helped raise more than €110,000 in two years to support medical facilities in Malawi and Zambia. He also introduced a pre-departure ethics training programme for students volunteering internationally, in collaboration with the University’s Societies Office. This initiative contributed to VSA receiving the Most Fundraised award at the 2024 Society Awards.  Dr O’Halloran re-established the Palestine Solidarity Society, organising large-scale events with UN experts and frontline clinicians, while also supporting efforts to secure new scholarships for Palestinian students and proposals for a human rights impact assessment for international partnerships. His work earned both the University’s ENLIGHT Inclusion Award and the University’s Nelson Mandela Leadership Award in 2025.    Dr O’Halloran said: “The rigours of medical education can distract us from injustice, but as future clinicians, we have a responsibility to contribute to society beyond the clinic. Activism is not separate from medicine - it is integral to it.”  Faith Ugiagbe from Castletroy, Co. Limerick, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Podiatric Medicine and was recognised for her wide-ranging contributions to student life and the broader community. Her work spans leadership, peer mentoring, health promotion, and cultural engagement, with a strong focus on inclusion and wellbeing.  As Class Representative, she consistently advocated for her peers and collaborated with academic staff to enhance the student experience. She played a central role in promoting the Podiatric Medicine degree at University Open Days over three consecutive years, engaging prospective students and their families with practical demonstrations and insights into the profession.  Her volunteer work at the University’s Teddy Bear Hospital brought podiatry to life for children and their families in a fun, accessible way, while her participation in the SEAS SUAS Programme, run in partnership with the ALIVE Volunteering initiative, equipped her to support mental health and wellbeing initiatives across campus, including Mental Health Week.  As a peer mentor, she helped junior students navigate the transition into university, both academically and personally. Her work with the African Caribbean Society was particularly impactful, supporting cultural awareness, representation, and a strong sense of community for students of African descent.  Faith Ugiagbe said: “I’m really grateful to receive the Gold Medal Award for Community Engagement. It means a lot to be recognised for work that has been such a big part of my university experience. Whether it was representing my course at open days, volunteering at the Teddy Bear Hospital, becoming a committee member for society’s or helping to promote mental health awareness through the ALIVE and SEAS SUAS programmes, each role taught me something new and helped me feel more connected to my community. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute in ways that support others and also reflect my own values.”  Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: ““Dylan and Faith have shown that being a healthcare professional goes far beyond academic excellence - it’s about empathy, leadership, and a deep commitment to making a difference. Their achievements in civic engagement are inspiring examples of how our students can be catalysts for positive change, both within the University and in society. We are honoured to count them among our graduates.”  University of Galway Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr Helen Maher, said: “Both Dylan and Faith exemplify the values we aim to instil in our students - compassion, integrity, and a deep sense of social responsibility. They have both left an indelible mark on this University through their tireless contribution.” Ends

University of Galway and TE Connectivity support facility to build on success of BioInnovate Ireland  University of Galway and TE Connectivity have entered a new partnership in support of the University’s Ian Quinn Centre for Health Technology Innovation, building on the success of the BioInnovate Ireland programme. Established in 2011, BioInnovate Ireland was created to anchor the medical device sector in Ireland by educating and training future entrepreneurs. To date, the programme has trained 159 Fellows and led to 35 companies, 24 of which are alumni-led high potential start-ups. The Ian Quinn Centre is building on the success of the BioInnovate programme and the wider medtech and digital health community by providing co-working space, mentorship and global connections to emerging start-ups, as well as being a venue for industry, clinicians and campus-based innovators to come together and accelerate health technologies. This new partnership will include mentorship, site visits and other opportunities for engagement between TE experts, and BioInnovate Fellows and alumni, as well as philanthropic support to help establish the new Centre. The new Centre is named in memory of the late Ian Quinn, a visionary in medical device design and innovation. He founded Creganna with his brother, where he served as chief executive for 25 years. Having witnessed the decline of the IT hardware industry and other industries in Ireland, Ian Quinn set about ensuring that the medical device industry would not suffer the same fate. Creganna would go on to become TE Connectivity following its acquisition in 2016.             Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said: “We are grateful for this new partnership with TE, which supports the development of the Ian Quinn Centre. This new Centre underscores the importance of our work for the public good and for fostering innovation which will greatly benefit future medtech solutions and development, both here in Galway and globally.”               Pat Duane, SVP and GM Medical, TE Connectivity, said: “TE is proud to support the new Ian Quinn Centre, honouring the legacy of Ian Quinn’s vision and investing in the future strength of the medtech sector here in Ireland and beyond.”             Martin O’Halloran, Executive Director of BioInnovate Ireland, said: “This new partnership with TE’s medical business is a great example of the importance of creating strong University-industry partnerships that strengthen the entire medtech ecosystem.”   Following a visit to Stanford BioDesign, Ian Quinn spearheaded the foundation of BioInnovate Ireland, along with Enterprise Ireland and University of Galway, bringing the BioDesign model to Ireland, with the aim of creating a fellowship programme to educate and train innovators in the sector. More than a decade later, Ireland has become a global hub for medtech and digital health, with more than 450 companies, of which, 60% are homegrown. One in 8 Irish medtech companies have come from BioInnovate Ireland. The BioInnovate programme, which is funded under Enterprise Ireland’s Innovators’ Initiative, takes in 12 participants a year to complete a 10-month specialist, medical device innovation training programme. It combines teams of high-calibre, experienced professionals from medical, engineering, business and technical backgrounds whose aim is to discover unmet healthcare needs and align them with market opportunities. The participants are rigorously selected to contribute their skills, knowledge and expertise as part of multi-disciplinary teams. During the programme they are awarded a scholarship and receive mentorship from industry, clinicians, venture capitalists, domain experts and academics. Each team focuses on one specific clinical area and they have the opportunity to complete 8 weeks of clinical immersion to identify unmet needs in that area at hospitals in Galway and nationwide. BioInnovate is supported under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. Ends

Two University of Galway research projects have received funding from Met Éireann to further develop climate services and new flood forecasting models. The projects are among six at Irish universities which were awarded a total of €2.8 million in funding from the national meteorological service, with almost €1 million being awarded to University of Galway. The funding is being awarded to innovative projects aimed at addressing climate change, extreme weather events and environmental sustainability as part of Met Éireann’s Weather and Climate Research Programme, which aims to strengthen national research capacity and scientific expertise in weather and climate, through high-impact projects. The two funded projects are: Dr Paul Nolan leads the research project - T3UD: TRANSLATE-3: Underpinning Data. Dr Nolan is a climate scientist and project lead in the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) at University of Galway - the national centre for high-performance computing. Dr Indiana Olbert leads the research project - IMUFF: Integrated Multi-model multi-hazard Flood Forecasting. Dr Olbert is a lecturer in Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering in the College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway. Dr Paul Nolan’s T3UD project will deliver updated climate projections and related products for Ireland over the next four years, using global data  It will also explore how these projections are used in practice across different sectors, addressing uncertainty and risk management. Ultimately, the work aims to enhance national climate services by producing user-relevant, scientifically grounded projections while communicating the limitations and confidence levels of the data. Dr Nolan said: “We are delighted that Met Éireann has chosen a team of climate researchers from ICHEC to deliver this project with the mission to deliver updated standardised climate projections for Ireland. The combination of high-resolution local simulations from ICHEC and historical data from Met Éireann means that we can provide the best insights from the worlds of physics and statistics to inform the climate adaptation plans of Irish local authorities, utilities, and other end-users." Dr Indiana Olbert’s two-year IMUFF project will address the growing threat of compound coastal-fluvial flooding – when rivers and streams burst. It will develop an advanced system for three day flood forecasts using AI-generated time series and water depth maps. More than 300 Irish communities at risk from this type of flooding and the project will aggregate diverse data sources - such as meteorological forecasts, river flows, tidal record and satellite data - directly supporting Met Éireann’s flood forecasting, strengthening community resilience and improving Ireland’s readiness for compound flood events in a changing climate.             Dr Olbert said: “I am delighted to receive this funding award from Met Éireann. As floods are amongst the most common and deadly weather-related natural disasters, the project aims to develop a state-of-the-art AI-based compound flood forecasting system. The project will support the forecasting work delivered by the Flood Forecasting Centre at Met Éireann, increasing resilience of Irish communities and better preparing for the growing threat of compound coastal-fluvial floods.” Professor Lokesh Joshi, Interim Vice-President for Research and Innovation, University of Galway, said: “We are delighted that two projects, led by Dr Paul Nolan and Dr Indiana Olbert, have been selected for funding under Met Éireann’s research programme. These awards recognise the strength of University of Galway’s research in vital areas such as delivering advanced climate projections and improving flood forecasting. Together, these projects will help deliver real benefits to communities in Ireland as we face more extreme weather events and a changing climate.” The Met Éireann Weather and Climate Research Programme was launched in 2018, initially through co-funding partnerships with other research funding organisations. With the Research Call 2024, Met Éireann's Research Call Scheme enters its fourth round, having already directly funded €10.3 million in research across Irish academic institutions. With nearly 80% of applications submitted by researchers new to the Weather and Climate Research Programme in 2024 Met Éireann welcomes the growing reach of the Programme and the increased number of active researchers in weather and climate science in Ireland. Ends

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D. has today announced construction is to start on the UrbanLab project at the University of Galway. The works are a milestone in the plans for the Galway Innovation & Creativity District, led by the University in partnership with Galway City Council and funded under the Government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The UrbanLab is the first project to commence on site as part of the €4.3million URDF funding investment for the Galway Innovation & Creativity District. It involves the redevelopment of an old mill building at the University of Galway on Nuns' Island in Galway city. The historic property dates back to the 1850s and originally formed part of the Persse’s Distillery complex. The redevelopment will see it brought back into use as a dedicated and flagship space in which to bring together communities to work on new ideas and solutions for city life. The UrbanLab will focus on innovation in sustainable urban development, public and community engagement and interdisciplinary research and collaboration between the University, the City and the diverse communities who live in, work in and visit it. Minister Browne said: “The UrbanLab is an exciting and timely initiative. The commencement of works marks a key step forward in shaping a resilient, inclusive urban future. The UrbanLab, housed in this beautiful historic structure, supported by the Urban Regeneration Development Fund, is a flagship initiative by the University of Galway focused on sustainable urban development, community engagement and interdisciplinary research. It brings together communities to work on new ideas and solutions for city life. The UrbanLab will be a shared space where people can learn, talk, and do research together.” Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said: “The concept behind the University of Galway UrbanLab is a powerful expression of the opportunity that we can afford to our city and community to develop solutions which can transform Galway and the wider region, both to live and work in. The Government’s Urban Regeneration Development Fund makes that happen and we look forward to people coming together to imagine and shape a better Galway.” Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, said: “This project is a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration between the University, the Council, based on real community feedback contained within the Nuns' Island Masterplan. With URDF support, we are restoring a historic building and transforming it into a dynamic space for innovation, engagement focussed on sustainable urban development. The UrbanLab will help us shape a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking Galway.” Dr Pat Collins, Lecturer in Economic Geography at University of Galway, said: “At its heart, the UrbanLab is about the people of Galway having a voice in shaping the future of Galway. This will be a space to meet, to learn, to decide and to dream about what a better Galway might look like.” Local building contractor, McNamara Construction, have been appointed to the construction project. Works are expected to be completed in early 2026. Ends

A new study led by University of Galway finds proposed Irish climate targets protect methane emission privileges at the expense of poorer nations' development.  The transition to a sustainable and equitable food system is being undermined by a new approach to climate target setting by livestock exporting countries such as Ireland and New Zealand, an international study by climate scientists has warned.  The study led by University of Galway in partnership with the University of Melbourne, University College Cork and Climate Resource has been published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.   The scientists have called out the new “temperature neutrality”, also known as "no additional warming", which allows Ireland to maintain a high share of global agricultural methane emissions while claiming to meet its climate targets.  This approach dramatically reduces the level of ambition needed for overall greenhouse gas emission reduction. The resulting targets have been proposed to the Irish Government by the Climate Change Advisory Council, in part to reduce potential disruption from Ireland’s legal commitment to achieve national climate neutrality by 2050.  Temperature neutrality is a concept based on stabilising a country’s contribution to global warming, rather than aiming for the more ambitious, established target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions. In effect, temperature neutrality requires modest reductions in methane emissions from high-emitting countries, denying methane emission “rights” to countries with low methane emissions. As methane emissions are strongly linked with agricultural production, widespread adoption of temperature neutrality would lock-in current inequalities in the global food system, by reducing the need to curtail or offset methane emissions in current livestock exporting countries such as Ireland.   The study shows that such exports overwhelmingly go to other wealthy, food-secure countries. Meanwhile, temperature neutrality severely restricts the development space for agriculture in low-income, food-insecure countries where livestock products are most needed to improve nutrition.   Furthermore, the temperature neutrality approach underestimates the level of emissions offsetting required in livestock exporting countries, delaying the development of new markets for farmers in those countries to deliver solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.       Lead scientist, Dr Colm Duffy, Honorary Lecturer in Agri-Sustainability, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: “If every country adopted a temperature neutrality target, we’d seriously jeopardise the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C, or even 2°C.  “Worse still, this approach doesn’t just weaken climate ambition, it entrenches inequality. It protects the status quo for wealthy countries while placing an unfair burden on poorer, food-insecure countries, limiting their ability to grow their own food systems.”   The international research team ran a number of scenarios to assess the impact of the policy - which has also been proposed in New Zealand - on global mean temperatures.   Apart from “business as usual”, the temperature neutrality approach performed the worst in terms of global warming emissions.   By 2050, Ireland’s per capita methane emissions would remain almost six times the global average.   Dr Duffy added: “The science shows that the new policy essentially grandfathers methane emissions - meaning a country’s future share of warming is based not on equity or ambition, but on historical share of emissions. In essence; 'I had more, so I get more'.”  Dr Róisín Moriarty, Research Fellow at the Sustainability Institute at UCC, said: "A ‘no additional warming’ approach to target setting amounts to backsliding on a country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and is not a reflection of ‘highest possible ambition'. With less than 3 years of global carbon budget remaining to limit warming to 1.5°C, with a 50% chance of achieving it, countries around the world need to do as much as they possibly can to achieve the rapid, deep and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed to keep within the 1.5°C temperature goal."  Professor Hannah Daly, Professor in Sustainable Energy at UCC, said: "Methane emissions are responsible for around 40 per cent of global warming to date – methane’s short lifetime in the atmosphere means that cutting its emissions is an essential lever to limit global warming to safe levels. For a country like Ireland, with outsized methane emissions, to base our long-term climate target on simply stabilising warming is inadequate to meet our global obligations and sets a dangerous precedent.”  David Styles, Associate Professor in Agri-Sustainability, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: “Ireland’s agricultural sector has huge potential to contribute towards a future climate neutral and biodiverse economy, but this requires big changes over time. Establishing a robust and internationally defendable climate target is vital to plan for a just transition, not just internationally, but for Ireland’s farmers. Temperature neutrality falls short.”   Dr Duffy is a Research Fellow on the FORESIGHT project and Honorary Lecturer in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at University of Galway. He was one of a number of signatories to an open letter that criticises a similar policy proposal in New Zealand.   The research was supported by funding from the Department of Climate Energy and the Environment for the FORESIGHT and CAPACITY climate modelling teams.  The full study can be read here: 10.1088/1748-9326/adf12d   Ends 

University of Galway today announced that Professor David J. Burn has been appointed the 14th President of the University with effect from the 8th of September 2025. Professor Burn will succeed Professor Peter McHugh who has held the position on an interim basis since September 2024. Professor Burn has served as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University since 2017, where he led transformative change initiatives to restructure faculty, accelerate research performance, advance equality, diversity and inclusion and drive internationalisation. David is also Professor of Movement Disorders Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust.    Professor Burn serves as Director of an Academic Health Science Centre, the Newcastle Health Research Partnership, which works to deliver improvements to health and wellbeing for the over three million people living in the Northeast of England and North Cumbria. Professor Burn is also President-elect of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. David will take up his position as President on the first day of the new term on the 8th of September 2025, joining the many thousands of students returning for the new academic year. Speaking about the appointment, Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Chair of Údarás na hOllscoile, University of Galway’s Governing Authority, said: “Following a rigorous and competitive assessment process, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor David Burn as the next President of University of Galway. Professor Burn brings a wealth of experience in University and health care leadership and presents a compelling vision to inspire University of Galway’s staff and students to take this remarkable University to new heights. With a track record of leadership and achievement internationally, Professor Burn brings both the necessary experience and vision to this role and I look forward to working with him as we begin a new chapter in the University’s journey. “I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Interim President, Professor Peter McHugh, for his steady leadership of the University over the last year and to wish him well in his future endeavours.” Commenting on his appointment, Professor David J. Burn said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the next President of University of Galway. Although born and bred in the Northeast of England, I have had a strong personal connection to Ireland for over 35 years and am therefore no stranger to its rich heritage and vibrant culture. I look forward to working with all staff and students to help University of Galway further realise its incredible potential and am excited about what we can achieve together.” Ends Media queries to pressoffice@universityofgalway.ie

An tOllamh David J. Burn, Leas-Seansailéir Ionaid Dhámh na nEolaíochtaí Leighis, Ollscoil Newcastle, le tosú ar a théarma i mí Mheán Fómhair 2025. D’fhógair Ollscoil na Gaillimhe inniu gurb é an tOllamh David J. Burn an 14ú hUachtarán atá á cheapadh ar an Ollscoil le héifeacht ón 8 Meán Fómhair 2025. Tiocfaidh an tOllamh Burn i gcomharbacht ar an Ollamh Peter McHugh a raibh an post aige ar bhonn eatramhach ó Mheán Fómhair 2024. Bhí an tOllamh Burn ina Leas-Seansailéir Ionaid ar Dhámh na nEolaíochtaí Leighis, Ollscoil Newcastle ó 2017 i leith, áit a raibh sé i gceannas ar mhórthionscnaimh athruithe a bhain le hathstruchtúrú na foirne teagaisc, luas a chur faoi fheidhmíocht taighde, comhionannas, éagsúlacht agus cuimsiú a chur chun cinn agus borradh a chur faoin idirnáisiúnú. Is Ollamh le Néareolaíocht Neamhord Gluaiseachta agus Néareolaí Comhairleach Oinigh d’Iontaobhas NHS Ospidéil Newcastle upon Tyne é David chomh maith.    Tá an tOllamh Burn ina Stiúrthóir ar Chomhpháirtíocht Taighde Sláinte Newcastle, arb Ionad Acadúil Eolaíochta Sláinte í, a bhíonn ag obair chun sláinte agus folláine breis is trí mhilliún duine atá ina gcónaí in Oirthuaisceart Shasana agus i dTuaisceart Cumbria a fheabhsú. Is é an tOllamh Burn an tUachtarán tofa ar an gCumann Idirnáisiúnta Parkinson agus Neamhord Gluaiseachta chomh maith. Tosóidh David ina phost nua mar Uachtarán ar an 8 Meán Fómhair 2025, arb é an chéad lá den téarma nua é, agus na mílte mac léinn ag filleadh ar an Ollscoil don bhliain acadúil nua. Ag labhairt di faoin gceapachán, bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Cathaoirleach Údarás na hOllscoile: “Tar éis próiseas measúnaithe a bhí dian agus iomaíoch, tá áthas orm a fhógairt go bhfuil an tOllamh David Burn ceaptha ina chéad Uachtarán eile ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Tá neart taithí ag an Ollamh Burn i gceannaireacht Ollscoile agus cúraim sláinte agus tá fís láidir curtha i láthair aige chun foireann agus mic léinn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a spreagadh le go rachaidh an Ollscoil ar leith seo ó neart go neart. Tá dea-theist ar an Ollamh Burn go hidirnáisiúnta ó thaobh ceannaireachta agus a bhfuil bainte amach aige, agus tá an taithí agus an fhís aige atá riachtanach le tabhairt faoin ról seo. Tá mé ag súil le bheith ag obair leis agus muid ag cur tús le caibidil nua in aistear na hOllscoile. “Ba mhaith liom fíorbhuíochas a chur in iúl d’Uachtarán Eatramhach na hOllscoile, an tOllamh Peter McHugh, as an gceannaireacht stuama atá léirithe aige le bliain anuas, agus guím gach rath air amach anseo.” Ag labhairt dó faoina cheapachán, bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Ollamh David J. Burn: “Tá an-áthas orm, agus is mór an onóir dom a bheith ceaptha mar an chéad Uachtarán eile ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.  Bíodh is gur rugadh agus gur tógadh in Oirthuaisceart Shasana mé, tá nasc láidir pearsanta agam le hÉirinn le breis agus 35 bliain agus tá seantaithí agam ar a hoidhreacht shaibhir agus a cultúr bríomhar.  Tá mé ag súil le bheith ag obair as lámha a chéile le comhaltaí foirne agus le mic léinn chun lánacmhainneacht Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a bhaint amach, agus tá mé ar bís faoinar féidir linn a bhaint amach le chéile.” Críoch Ceisteanna ó na meáin chuig pressoffice@universityofgalway.ie 

A research team from University of Galway has captured a rarely observed ocean mixing process during an expedition to the Greenland Sea, a finding that could improve our understanding of Arctic climate change. The research team spent several weeks at sea during the summer of 2023 aboard the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer, carrying out surface ocean measurements in one of the most remote and climate sensitive parts of the world. The team focused on a phenomenon known as cabbeling. This process involves the temperature and salinity (concentration of salt) in the ocean, which together make up the ocean density. Cabbeling occurs when two water masses with different temperatures and salinities, but the same density, are mixed together. The result is a denser mixture than either of the original water masses, a consequence of the non-linear behaviour of seawater. This denser mixture then sinks, triggering turbulence and vertical mixing. Cabbeling has important implications for melting Arctic sea ice as it can increase the amount of heat from below to the ocean surface. The study has been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. To observe the cabbeling process, the team deployed a robotic instrument known as the Air-Sea Interaction Profiler (ASIP), which is a unique instrument specifically designed to study small-scale processes at the ocean surface. The ASIP is 2.8 metres in length, weighs about 90 kilograms, and is completely autonomous. Repeated dives and ascents by the robotic instrument carry its sensors through the upper 100 meters of the upper ocean, making fine-scale physical measurements including turbulence, temperature, and salinity. The results have implications for improving scientists’ understanding of cabbeling and its potential role in models of sea surface warming and Arctic ice loss, particularly as climate patterns shift. The Greenland Sea is expected to experience increased freshwater outflow from melting ice in a warmer climate, altering the regional dynamics. Understanding and incorporating the effects of cabbeling will enhance the accuracy of predictions of ocean heat transport, especially in polar regions where warming is accelerating and sea ice is in decline. The study was led by PhD candidate Kevin McGraw, Professor Audrey Morley and Professor Brian Ward from University of Galway, and took place along the East Greenland Polar Front, an area where cold, fresh Arctic water meets warmer, saltier Atlantic water.             Kevin McGraw, PhD candidate at the School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, said: “Cabbeling is rarely observed because it is sporadic and short-lived, with its intensity and reach varying across Polar Regions. Our underwater robotic platform, Air-Sea Interaction Profiler, is a unique instrument designed specifically to study the upper ocean without interference from the ship. Because it can capture rapid changes on the scale of seconds to minutes, it allowed the team to detect cabbeling in action which would have been nearly impossible with conventional methods.”             Professor Audrey Morley, Professor of Marine Geology at the School of Geography and Archaeology, University of Galway, said: “The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a system of ocean currents that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean, bringing warm water north and cold water south thereby distributing heat around the globe. Density gradients have been identified as a main driver of the AMOC, which may be altered by high-latitude cabbeling in a warming ocean. This suggests that the cabbeling effect needs to be considered to explain past and future AMOC variability.”             Professor Brian Ward, Professor of Ocean Physics at the School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, said: “These observations are a good example of the subtle processes associated with climate change and how small-scale processes can have broader implications. New methods of detection, such as the Air-Sea Interaction Profiler instrument, are required to fully understand the coupled ocean-atmosphere system.” The research highlights the importance of combining innovative ocean technology with field observations to improve our understanding of fine scale mixing processes that shapes regional and global climate patterns. The full study is available to read here: https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JC022567. Ends Media queries to pressoffice@universityofgalway.ie