In the News..

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

Ireland's first dedicated national rural seminar series enters a new phase as a joint initiative, supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) have joined forces to revive Rural Voices – a nationwide seminar series bringing together research, policy and practice to explore the issues shaping rural and regional development. Supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the monthly series provides a platform for researchers, policymakers and rural stakeholders to share research, exchange ideas and contribute to rural development thinking. The relaunch marks a new chapter for the series, which originally ran from January 2022 to May 2025, and was established as Ireland's first dedicated national rural seminar initiative. The new series was formally launched by University of Galway President Professor David Burns and President of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Dr Orla Flynn at an event chaired and organised by the series' co-organisers, Professor Maura Farrell of the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at University of Galway, and Dr Shane Conway, Research Coordinator at ATU. Professor Maura Farrell, University of Galway, said: "The Rural Voices seminar series connects rural development practitioners and those working in agriculture with key research they wouldn't otherwise access, and gives policymakers a direct line to recognised research and practice in rural development and farming, helping them make evidence-based decisions." Dr Shane Conway, ATU, said: “Rural Voices allows us to explore the many different issues shaping rural life from regional, national, European and international perspectives. It is also a practical example of how we can communicate and share research more widely, making it visible, understandable and relevant, while creating opportunities for rural stakeholders to connect and exchange ideas.” The first seminar under the new joint initiative will take place on September 30th, with John Daly, Economist with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. Rural Voices provides a monthly, open platform for academics, policymakers and rural stakeholders to come together to discuss rural issues, share research and contribute to rural development thinking at national level. The series grew from the Higher Education and Research Network for Rural Development, established as a commitment under Our Rural Future, Ireland's national rural development policy for 2021 to 2025. The network brings together academics from 16 higher education institutions and three research institutes nationally. The seminars are open to the public, policymakers and rural stakeholders at home and from overseas. The renewed partnership brings together research, practitioner and stakeholder networks across the West and North-West, strengthening connections between research, policy and practice on rural and regional development while maintaining the series' national focus. The core structure and ethos of Rural Voices remains unchanged. The series will continue as monthly online seminars combining policy, research and practice-based perspectives, open to all sectors, and will continue to operate on a self-funded basis, with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht providing strategic support and ensuring alignment with national rural development priorities. The seminars will take place on the last Wednesday of every month from 3 to 4pm. Ends

Professor David Allan Wood honoured for lifetime contribution to cardiovascular prevention as ESC marks 30 years of EUROASPIRE Professor David Allan Wood, Honorary Professor of Preventive Cardiology at University of Galway and Director of Science, Strategy and Implementation at the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), has received the prestigious European Society of Cardiology (ESC) President’s Award. Professor Wood received the award from ESC President Professor Thomas F. Lüscher during the Opening Ceremony of ESC Congress 2026 in Munich on Friday, 28 August. The award recognises Professor Wood’s exceptional contribution to cardiovascular medicine and a career spanning more than three decades dedicated to advancing cardiovascular disease prevention through research, clinical guidelines, education, policy and implementation. The recognition is particularly timely as ESC Congress 2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of EUROASPIRE, the landmark European programme initiated by Professor Wood to evaluate how effectively evidence-based cardiovascular prevention is implemented in everyday clinical practice. Successive EUROASPIRE surveys have provided a unique picture of cardiovascular prevention and risk-factor management across Europe. The latest programme spans 27 European countries, generating contemporary evidence on the implementation of prevention and rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular disease.   A pioneer of preventive cardiology Professor Wood has contributed to international cardiovascular prevention policy and guidelines since the first ESC guideline on the prevention of coronary heart disease in 1994, with leadership roles across the European Society of Cardiology, World Heart Federation and World Health Organization. He was founder and President of the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, served on the ESC Board and as Secretary/Treasurer, and subsequently became President of the World Heart Federation. He also founded the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation and served as its first Joint Editor-in-Chief. From Imperial College London to Galway The National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC) was co-founded by University of Galway and Croí Heart & Stroke Charity in 2014 to build dedicated expertise in cardiovascular prevention. Professor Wood subsequently moved his cardiovascular prevention research group from Imperial College London to NIPC at University of Galway, bringing an established international research programme and network. Today, his primary research leadership role is as Director of Science, Strategy and Implementation at NIPC, alongside his appointment as Honorary Professor of Preventive Cardiology at University of Galway. He remains Emeritus Professor of Cardiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London. Among his most significant contributions is the establishment of EUROASPIRE, the first European registry programme focused on cardiovascular prevention and implementation of prevention guidelines in clinical practice. Thirty years later, the programme continues through NIPC, with the latest results being presented at ESC Congress 2026. Professor Wood also led the EUROACTION trials, evaluating nurse-led multidisciplinary approaches to primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention across Europe. Professor David Wood said: “It is an enormous honour to receive the President’s Award from the European Society of Cardiology, and particularly meaningful to receive it as we celebrate 30 years of EUROASPIRE. When we began EUROASPIRE, our aim was simple: to understand whether the evidence and guidelines we were developing for cardiovascular prevention were reaching patients in everyday clinical practice. Three decades later, that question remains as important as ever. EUROASPIRE has become an extraordinary European collaboration, and I regard this award as recognition of all those who have contributed to that work across the ESC, NIPC, University of Galway, Imperial College London and our many partner centres across Europe.” Dr Sandra Ganly, Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, said:  “Professor Wood’s contribution to cardiovascular prevention has been exceptional. Through EUROASPIRE and three decades of influential publications, his work has exposed the gap between guidelines and practice, shaped European prevention policy and improved cardiovascular care. His decision to bring his research programme to NIPC at University of Galway was pivotal for cardiovascular prevention research in Ireland, and we are privileged to build on his scientific leadership and international legacy. The ESC President’s Award is richly deserved recognition of an extraordinary career and a proud moment for Professor Wood, NIPC, Croí and University of Galway.” President David Burn, University of Galway, said: “On behalf of our research community at University of Galway, I congratulate Professor Wood on this honour. His work, his endeavours and his leadership on preventive cardiology and patient care has made a truly remarkable difference to huge numbers of people worldwide. We are proud to have created a home for that vision, alongside Croí, through the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health and we look forward to the next generation of clinical and research excellence driven by the innovative outlook of Professor Wood and his team.” Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “Professor Wood’s career is an outstanding example of how rigorous research can shape clinical practice and improve health outcomes at scale. His work through EUROASPIRE has generated invaluable evidence about the implementation of cardiovascular prevention in real-world settings, while also demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in translating research into meaningful change for patients. His leadership has made a lasting contribution to preventive cardiology and provides an important model for how research excellence can drive better healthcare.”  Professor Wood’s award comes during a significant ESC Congress for NIPC at University of Galway, with the latest results from NIPC-led cardiovascular prevention research also being presented in Munich. The award adds to previous honours for Professor Wood, including a Platinum Clinical Excellence Award for services to the NHS, the Mackenzie Medal from the British Cardiovascular Society, and the European Association for Preventive Cardiology Medal.  Ends