In the News..

University of Galway is hosting the exhibition of the Press Photography Ireland Awards 2025, featuring some of the most powerful moments in the world of news, sport, politics, arts and everyday life. The gallery includes more than 100 photographs and is being displayed in the foyer of the Hardiman Building until the end of September. All winning and shortlisted entries from the 47th annual awards hang in the exhibition, celebrating the very best in Irish press photography from 2024, both at home and abroad. Among the highlights are award-winning images by Photographer of the Year James Crombie, who works with Inpho, one of Ireland’s leading sports photography agencies, and specialises in major sports events in Ireland and internationally, as well as nature. It is the third year in which he has won the coveted title. Images are also in the exhibition from News Photographer of the Year Niall Carson, who works with PA Media, the leading news and sports agency for Ireland and the UK and specialises in current affairs and politics.             David Branigan, President of Press Photographers Ireland, said: "Photojournalism is the visual record of our life and times and especially in Ireland where we have a rich story-telling tradition it is especially cherished. The images presented in the AIB Press Photographer of the Year Award exhibition are the very best of truthful and accurate photography; these images anchor our reality, and it is an unmissable display." Ends

Tá fáilte curtha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe roimh an gcead pleanála atá faighte chun foirgneamh nua a thógáil do Scoil an Leighis. Déanfar an tsaoráid nua a fhorbairt ar champas theas na hOllscoile, gar don Chearnóg. Beidh ceithre urlár san fhoirgneamh, a bheidh thart ar 3,925 méadar cearnach ar mhéid, agus beidh aitriam gloinithe á nascadh le Bloc E, foirgneamh atá ann cheana féin, ar struchtúr é atá faoi chosaint agus a bhfuil tábhacht stairiúil agus ailtireachta ag baint leis. Cuirfidh an fhorbairt leis an leathnú leanúnach atáthar á dhéanamh ar dheiseanna teagaisc agus foghlama i gColáiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, lena n-áirítear an chéad ghrúpa mac léinn cógaisíochta ar an MPharm agus an clár Leighis (Iontráil do Chéimithe) atá le tosú i Meán Fómhair 2027. Cuirfidh an foirgneamh nua áiseanna den scoth ar fáil le haghaidh teagaisc agus taighde, lena n-áirítear seomraí do ranganna teagaisc, seimineáir agus cruinnithe, spásanna staidéir agus limistéir chomhoibríocha, saotharlanna taighde ardleibhéil agus oifigí riaracháin. Mar chuid de spriocanna inbhuanaitheachta níos leithne na hOllscoile, áirítear mar chuid den dearadh córais ghléasra agus painéil ghréine fhótavoltacha chun éifeachtúlacht fuinnimh a fheabhsú agus chun an tionchar ar an timpeallacht a laghdú. Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: “Is céim mhór chun cinn don Ollscoil é cead pleanála a fháil d’fhoirgneamh nua Scoil an Leighis. Léiríonn an fhorbairt seo ár dtiomantas láidir don oideachas agus don taighde leighis, go háirithe lenár gclár Leighis (Iontráil do Chéimithe) atá le tosú in 2027 agus an tairbhe a bhaineann leis do réigiún an iarthair agus an iarthuaiscirt agus go náisiúnta. Tá an fhorbairt mhór seo ríthábhachtach chun cuidiú leis an gcéad ghlúin eile de cheannairí cúraim sláinte agus cuirfidh an foirgneamh nua áiseanna ceannródaíocha ar fáil do mhic léinn, do thaighdeoirí agus don fhoireann, ag cothú nuálaíocht, fionnachtain agus barr feabhais san oideachas leighis, agus ag an am céanna ag léiriú meas ar oidhreacht an champais stairiúil seo.” Dúirt an Dr Martina Ní Chúlain, an Stiúrthóir Forbartha Straitéisí i gColáiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is infheistíocht shuntasach i dtodhchaí an leighis agus na n-eolaíochtaí sláinte in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe atá sa tsaoráid nua seo – ag cur lenár gcumas agus lenár n-inniúlachtaí, ag saibhriú eispéireas na mac léinn, ag tacú leis an bhfoireann, agus ag cumasú cuir chuige theagaisc nua-aimseartha. Beidh ról ríthábhachtach ag an bhfoirgneamh i múnlú an chéad ghlúin eile de ghairmithe cúraim sláinte agus is léiriú é ar ár n-uaillmhian a bheith inár gceannaire náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta in oideachas agus taighde leighis.” Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Ollamh Laurence Egan, Ceann Scoil an Leighis in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Ní hamháin go gcuirfidh Foirgneamh nua Scoil an Leighis feabhas ar an gcaoi a múinimid agus a bhfoghlaimímid ach feabhsóidh sé an chaoi a n-oibrímid le chéile le disciplíní eile agus lenár gcomhpháirtithe cúraim sláinte freisin. Tacóidh sé le samhail d’oideachas leighis a thugann tús áite do nuálaíocht, comhoibriú agus nasc láidir le riachtanais cúraim sláinte ár réigiúin agus níos faide i gcéin.” Críoch

University of Galway has welcomed planning approval for the development of a new School of Medicine Building. The new facility is to be built on the University’s south campus, a short distance from the Quadrangle and will complement ongoing expansion of courses in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway including the first intake of pharmacy students on the MPharm this September and the planned Graduate Entry Medicine programme which is due to begin September 2027. The building design runs over four storeys, covering approximately 3,925sq metres, and is integrated, via a glazed atrium link, with the existing Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance. It will offer state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, including tutorial, seminar and meeting rooms, study spaces and collaboration areas, advanced research laboratories and administration offices. As part of the University’s broader sustainability goals, the design includes plant systems and solar PV panels to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.             Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “Planning approval for our new School of Medicine Building is a major milestone for the University. This development reflects our strong commitment to medical education and research, particularly with our Graduate Entry Medicine programme due to begin in 2027 and the benefit it will reap for the west and north-west region, and nationally. A development of this scale is key to supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders by providing students, researchers and staff with cutting-edge facilities, fostering innovation, discovery, and excellence in medical education, all while honouring the heritage of our historic campus.” Dr Martina Ni Chúlain, Director of Strategic Development at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “This new facility represents a significant investment in the future of medicine and health sciences at the University of Galway - enhancing our capacity and capabilities, enriching the student experience, supporting staff, and enabling modern teaching approaches. It will play a critical role in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals and reflects the scale of our ambition as a national and international leader in medical education and research.”  Professor Laurence Egan, Head of the School of Medicine at University of Galway, said: “The new School of Medicine Building will not only enhance how we teach and learn but also how we work together across disciplines and with our healthcare partners. It will support a model of medical education that prioritises innovation, collaboration and a strong connection to the healthcare needs of our region and beyond.” Ends