In the News..

University of Galway students and staff will host SDG Week from September 20th- 27th - dedicated to increasing awareness, engagement and action to help achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  SDG Week activities will include a parkrun, a Green Flag raising ceremony, a climate assembly, learn to darn workshop, a water and sustainability showcase, a Student Union-led panel discussion on how to make campuses more sustainable, seed donation, eco-anxiety café, research talks, table quiz, beach clean and consultations with staff and students to help shape the University’s next Sustainability Strategy.  The week-long series of events is open to the wider Galway community as well as University of Galway students and staff.  Among the highlights is the Community Climate Assembly with community groups, researchers and companies coming together to share success stories and amplify community voices on climate action. Community speakers will address water, mobility, nature, food and wellbeing, and the event is open to everyone and is free to attend. The assembly will take place on Saturday, 27th September, in the Bailey Allen Hall, University of Galway.  Professor Becky Whay, Deputy President and Registrar at University of Galway, said: “As the number one university in Ireland for sustainability and a national SDG Ambassador, University of Galway is proud to host our third annual SDG Week. Through SDG Week, we are advocating local action for global change. This is part of our mission to lead the transition to a sustainable future and foster the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges.”  Another highlight of the week will be the Run into SDG Week with parkrun and Sanctuary Runners. This community-spirited event combines fitness, fun and sustainability, with free t-shirts and light refreshments afterwards. All are welcome to join for a run, jog or walk. The parkrun takes place on Saturday, 20th September, starting at the University Park and Ride in Dangan.  A guided walk along University of Galway’s Biodiversity Trail, exploring campus habitats – from riverbanks to herb gardens, to wildlife and conservation activities, will take place on Monday, 22nd September.  University of Galway Director of Sustainability, Dr Richard Manton, said: “There is something for everyone during University of Galway SDG Week. We are inviting the wider Galway community to join us on campus for the Run into SDG Week along our beautiful biodiversity trail on Saturday 20th, the Community Climate Assembly on Saturday 27th or any of our other events during the week. Check out our website for the full list.”  SDG Week will also see University of Galway raise its third Green Flag, awarded by An Taisce as part of the Green Campus programme.  A full SDG Week event listing is available at www.universityofgalway.ie/sdgweek/  Ends

University of Galway and the University’s Students’ Union have issued a fresh joint appeal for homeowners to consider offering a room to rent for students for the new academic year.  During the summer, the University’s Accommodation Advisory Service led the latest annual push to source and expand student rental opportunities in the region, including an awareness campaign on social media and online and a leaflet drop to 57,000 houses in Galway and Clare in August.  To date, this year, 1,768 properties have been advertised on the University’s accommodation portal Studentpad.  University of Galway is urging homeowners to consider offering a room to rent and to register with its Accommodation Advisory Service. The rent-a-room scheme offers homeowners a tax-free income of up to €14,000 per year.   To advertise with the University’s Studentpad or to find out more, homeowners and landlords can visit the information page.  Professor Ciara Meehan, Dean of Students at University of Galway, said: “Our Accommodation Advisory Service remains committed to building the networks with the wider community that our students rely on, and the team is available year round to assist students. But the reality in the housing markets is that there are fewer new landlords and new properties to attract.  “Our University has much to be proud of when it comes to the student experience – our clubs, societies, and volunteering opportunities; a community that promotes belonging and celebrates diversity; and our focus on student success. Securing accommodation helps students get off to a strong start and allows them to fully engage with everything we have to offer.  “This year we are making a further direct appeal - If you have ever thought about offering a room, or know someone who might, now is the time to act. Every extra room that we can help offer counts, and your home or your spare room could be the difference between a student commuting long distances and getting the best experience and thriving through university.'  University of Galway Students’ Union President Maisie Hall said: "We are asking anyone in or around Galway city with spare rooms to please consider renting to students. Your room could be the difference between a student dropping out or continuing their studies.”  University of Galway’s dedicated Accommodation Advisory Service first embarked on awareness campaigns in 2022, with a view to providing enhanced supports and advice for students as well as sourcing and expanding new accommodation options.  These campaigns and on-the-ground engagement with stakeholders in the Greater Galway region have led to a doubling of the number of rooms and properties advertised on the Studentpad portal.  The Accommodation Advisory Service also provides guidance to students on what precautions and checks and balances to consider when considering booking and agreeing a lease with a private landlord.  A new mechanism is also being introduced for landlords to verify their properties, giving students an extra level of confidence when renting.  Ends  

Tugann cartlann atá díreach seolta léargas uathúil faoin saol i gcampa géibhinn Tá cartlann dhigiteach nua d’irisí príosúin a scríobhadh i gcampa géibhinn na Ceise Fada i rith na 1970idí curtha ar fáil ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. San áireamh le Bailiúchán Paddy McMenamin tá dialanna lámhdhéanta uathúla agus albam grianghraf a tógadh sa phríosún sa tréimhse 1974-1976. Rinneadh McMenamin a imtheorannú sa Cheis Fhada i lár na 1970idí áit a raibh sé ina urlabhraí Caighin. Scríobh sé ailt d’irisí príosúin lena n-áirítear Misneach, An Síoladóir, agus Faoi Glas, chomh maith le bheith ina eagarthóir ar An Fuascailteoir. Ailt agus scríbhneoireacht ó na príosúnaigh Phoblachtánacha féin a bhí sna hirisí seo mar aon le dánta, ceachtanna Gaeilge agus ailt ar stair na hÉireann agus ar pholaitíocht idirnáisiúnta, agus rinne siad an obair ealaíne do na clúdaigh iad féin freisin. Smuigleáladh na hirisí amach as an gCeis Fhada i gcaitheamh an ama, agus coinníodh an bailiúchán sábháilte go dtí gur cuireadh i dtaisce le Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe é. Tá léargas faoi leith le fáil sa bhailiúchán seo ar thaithí na gcimí Poblachtánacha sa Cheis Fhada i rith thréimhse de na trioblóidí ina raibh foréigean seicteach ag dul in olcas. Tugann na hirisí agus na grianghraif seo spléachadh dúinn ar an saol laethúil sa champa géibhinn i gcomhthéacs an oideachais, na díospóireachta agus ghnáthchúrsaí an lae.           Seo mar a labhair Paddy McMenamin: “Mar chéimí le Béarla agus Stair de chuid Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, tugann sé pléisiúr dom an bailiúchán seo de pháipéir bhunaidh ó Chaighin na Ceise Fada a bhronnadh ar Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar phríomhfhoinse do mhic léinn a bheidh i mbun staidéir agus taighde ar stair na hÉireann san fhichiú haois. Is pribhléid dom a fheiceáil go mbeidh na hirisí seo caomhnaithe go sábháilte laistigh den Ollscoil.” Tá bailiúchán suntasach ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe cheana féin i ndáil le polaitíocht agus cultúr Thuaisceart Éireann i rith na tréimhse seo,  ó bhlianta na Gluaiseachta Ceart Sibhialta go dtí Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus anois tá cartlann McMenamin curtha leis. San áireamh leis an mbailiúchán tá cartlann an ghníomhaí ar son na síochána, Brendan Duddy, an acadóra agus abhcóide Kevin Boyle agus na státseirbhíseach Maurice Hayes. Is féidir rochtain a fháil ar Irisí Príosúin na Ceise Fada ar Stór Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: https://digital.library.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/categories/paddy-mcmenamin             Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Monica Crump, Leabharlannaí na hOllscoile: “Ba mhór an onóir dúinn gur fágadh an bailiúchán uathúil seo faoinár gcúram agus gur iarradh orainn é a chaomhnú do na glúnta atá le teacht. Ligfidh sé do scoláirí na todhchaí tuiscint éigin a fháil ar ar tharla sa Cheis Fhada, agus i dTuaisceart Éireann trí chéile i rith na dTrioblóidí.  Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil catalógú déanta ar an mbailiúchán iomlán anois agus go bhfuil na hirisí príosúin digitithe agus curtha ar fáil ar líne. Beidh deis anois ag lucht léite i bhfad níos leithne foghlaim faoin tréimhse chorraitheach sin i stair na hÉireann agus tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar ar tharla.            Labhair an Dr Barry Houlihan, Cartlannaí in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar seo a leanas: Bailiúchán tábhachtach atá i gCartlann McMenamin agus cabhróidh sé na glúnta atá le teacht a theagasc agus iad a chur ar an eolas faoi thaithí na gcimí i rith na dTrioblóidí. Tugann sé deis dúinn staidéar a dhéanamh agus tuiscint a fhorbairt ar thréimhse dheacair den stair ar an oileán seo, agus meabhraíonn sé dúinn a thábhachtaí atá a leithéid de chartlann as Tuaisceart Éireann, mar aon leo siúd atá á gcoinneáil i Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe cheana féin, chun cuimhní agus taithí na ndaoine siúd a bhí thíos leis an gcoimhlint a chaomhnú. Reáchtáladh imeacht chun seoladh na n-irisí príosúin digitithe a cheiliúradh, agus bailiúchán McMenamin féin, agus bhí comhrá ann mar chuid de idir Paddy McMenamin agus an tOllamh Breandán Mac Suibhne, Ollamh le Nua-Stair na hÉireann in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Bhí plé painéil ann chomh maith ag ar labhair an Dr Mary Harris, Léachtóir Sinsearach le Stair in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe; an Dr Barry Houlihan, Cartlannaí i Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe; agus an Dr Laurence Marley, léachtóir le Nua-Stair na hÉireann agus na Breataine. Sheol Dr Mary Harris leabhar nua McMenamin, Voices From Inside: The Hidden Journals of Long Kesh ag an imeacht freisin. Críoch