In the News..

University of Galway and TE Connectivity have marked their partnership with a naming ceremony of a key facility for the BioInnovate Ireland programme. The TE Connectivity Meeting Room has been unveiled as part of the Ian Quinn Centre for Health Technology Innovation on the University campus, in recognition of the company’s commitment to supporting health technology innovation, talent development and industry–academic collaboration through BioInnovate. President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “Our partnership with TE Connectivity is symbolic of how University of Galway focuses on the translation of research and innovation into real-world impact. The naming of the space in the Ian Quinn Centre is a permanent and visible reminder of the inspiration of Ian Quinn and the support of TE Connectivity for our ambition to ensure we have collaborative facilities to enable ideas to move from concept to application.” Pat Duane, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Medical, TE Connectivity, said: “At TE, we are taking an active role in the creation of a strong pipeline of innovators and engineers ready to take the helm at companies like ours in the future. We support BioInnovate Ireland, and programmes like it all around the world, to inspire the next generation.”   Dr Sinead Walsh, Programme Director at BioInnovate Ireland, said: “Dedicated innovation spaces matter. The TE Room will be a place where BioInnovate fellows and partners can work together, challenge assumptions and progress ideas. It also reflects the strength of our relationship with TE Connectivity, and the importance of sustained university–industry collaboration for the region.” The Ian Quinn Centre for Health Technology Innovation was officially launched at University of Galway in May 2024 in honour of the late Ian Quinn who was central in establishing Galway as a global medtech hub. Ian Quinn was a visionary in medical device design and innovation. Having witnessed the decline of the IT hardware industry and other industries in Ireland, he set about ensuring that the medical device industry would not suffer the same fate. Ian Quinn founded Creganna with his brother Niall, which went on to become TE Connectivity following its acquisition in 2016. The TE Connectivity Meeting Room will be used by BioInnovate Fellows, alumni, clinicians, researchers and industry partners as a dedicated environment for collaboration, ideation and project development. The naming of the space reflects TE Connectivity’s continued engagement with BioInnovate through mentorship, site visits and knowledge exchange, and its broader support for innovation-led growth within the medtech sector. Ian Quinn was a driving force behind the establishment of BioInnovate Ireland in 2011, bringing the BioDesign model to Ireland in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and University of Galway. It is Europe's only affiliate of Stanford Biodesign and Ireland’s national healthcare device innovation training programme. Over the last 15 years it has played a central role in strengthening Ireland’s medtech ecosystem. The programme has trained 170 Fellows and led to the creation of 35 companies, 24 of which are alumni-led high potential start-ups. The Ian Quinn Centre for Health Technology Innovation builds on this success by providing co-working space, mentorship and global connections for emerging health technology ventures, while also serving as a hub where industry, clinicians and campus-based innovators can come together to accelerate the development of new solutions. BioInnovate Ireland 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

University of Galway in partnership with the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has received Government funding to establish a new national centre of excellence in medical device innovations. The Medical Device Innovation Network (MeDiNet) aims to strengthen Ireland’s position as a global leader in medtech and support the development of life-changing healthcare solutions. The project is one of nine key infrastructure projects funded through the Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme to drive national priorities in health innovation, sustainability and economic resilience. Awarded almost €2 million in funding, MeDiNet will provide shared national facilities to help researchers, clinicians and companies design and test new medical devices more quickly, safely and affordably by providing access to the latest equipment, expert support, and a collaborative space for innovation. The Government investment will enable University of Galway to expand its activity as part of the new Medical Device Prototype Hub, which is supported by medical device company Medtronic and launched in February this year as part of the five-year €5million signature innovation partnership between Medtronic and the University, announced in 2023. The Medical Device Prototype Hub is managed by the Technology Services Directorate at University of Galway and focuses on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research. MeDiNet’s integrated approach combines design, prototyping, anatomical simulation and clinical engagement, by offers 3D printers and simulation tools that will create realistic models of the human body, allowing medical devices to be tested in lifelike conditions before reaching the patient. In partnership with RCSI, MeDiNet will be led by Dr Eimear Dolan from the College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway. Dr Eimear Dolan, Research Ireland Royal Society University Research Fellow Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, said: “This funding will enable us to fill an important gap in the Irish medtech ecosystem. It will enhance our reputation as a global hub for the sector by granting medical device innovators access to the latest equipment, expert support and a collaborative space for innovation. We are excited about working so closely with RCSI as this collaboration is greater than the sum of its parts.” Professor Claire Condron, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “I am delighted to collaborate with the University of Galway on MeDiNet, which represents a significant step forward for Ireland’s medtech design landscape. As one of Europe’s leading simulation centres, RCSI SIM brings unique expertise that will add real value to the efficient design and validation of medical devices and instrumentation, while strengthening connections between researchers, clinicians and industry to deliver meaningful advances in patient care.”  Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Chief Executive of Research Ireland, said: “We are enabling researchers across the country to pursue ambitious ideas, deepen collaboration and accelerate breakthrough discoveries by providing access to truly world-class infrastructure. The awards announced today are a key step in delivering on Research Ireland’s strategy to strengthen national research capacity, future-proofing our research ecosystem and ensuring Ireland remains a global leader in high-impact research.” The Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme funding will enable the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities across the country, strengthening Ireland’s research capacity in strategically important areas such as advanced materials, MedTech, AI, semiconductors and quantum technologies. The programme is designed to ensure that Irish researchers can access the specialised equipment needed to compete on the global stage. Ends

The triumphs and endeavours of athletes, sports clubs and coaches have been celebrated at the 41st annual University of Galway Sports Awards.  Among the winners were under-23 World Rowing Bronze medallist Donagh Claffey, senior county hurler Sam O’Farrell and Carrie Dolan, All-Ireland winning captain of the Galway Senior Camogie team.  Sam O’Farrell and Carrie Dolan were named Sports Persons of the Year, while Donagh Claffey from the Rowing Club won Individual Performance of the Year for his bronze medal at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships.  Other winners included Ronan Sheppard and Matthew Kennedy of the Sailing Club, who received the Unsung Hero Award, Eveline Nee, for her contribution to University of Galway Archery Club over her four years as an undergraduate student, and the Mountaineering Club for the Best Event of the Year.  Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, the awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Red Hotel Galway and hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.  Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway Sports Awards are a celebration of the dedication, resilience and community spirit that define sport across our campus. This year’s recipients have demonstrated not only exceptional achievement in competition, but also leadership, teamwork and a commitment to supporting one another. We are immensely proud of all our students, clubs and coaches who continue to foster an inclusive and vibrant sporting culture within the University.”  Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: “Our Sports Awards are a celebration of our sporting high performance achievements and our sport for all achievements in the University of Galway. The awards recognise the performances, achievements and hard work of our athletes, players, teams, coaches, committee members and volunteers. Our mission in the University of Galway Sports Unit is to be the most progressive and caring University sports programme on the island of Ireland. All the nominees and award winners are helping us on that mission.  “This year our winners range from Senior Camogie All Ireland winning Captain to Clubs who have doubled membership this year, and we are very grateful to the Bank of Ireland for their sponsorship and support. Our university sports club members contribute great social capital to our environment. For us in the Sports Unit, it is an honour and a pleasure to work with so many talent young adults and to support all those involved in Clubs. It is a wonderful event where all the different sports club celebrate together all those who have greatly contributed to sport in the University of Galway.”  The University of Galway Sports Awards recognise performance, leadership and participation, as well as those that contribute to the running and development of the clubs. They also celebrate remarkable final-year students who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to sport; demonstrated an impeccable example of sportsmanship and a high level of performance and achievement; served as excellent ambassador within the University and for student sport; and competed at a regional level or above.  University of Galway is now home to more than 40 active sports clubs, which are student-led and organised, with approximately 6,000 students participating in sport and activity daily at the University.  2026 Sports Award Winners  Best Event of the Year 50th Anniversary of the Maamturks Challenge - Mountaineering  Club Captain of the Year Áine Kavanagh (Calry, Co. Sligo) Hockey, Emma Jane Inns (Bundoran, Co. Donegal) Sub Aqua  Club of the Year Swimming and Waterpolo Club  Coach of the Year Matt Lockett (Galway City) Athletics  Most Improved Club Gaelic Games Club (Includes Camogie, Hurling, Ladies Gaelic Football, Men’s Gaelic Football)  Fundraising of the Year Boxing in Pink – Boxing Club  Individual Performance of the Year Donagh Claffey (Fardrum Athlone, Co. Westmeath) Rowing  University Honours Mohammad Zajeer Ahmed, (India) Cricket and Table Tennis Eveline Nee (Rosmuc, Co. Galway) Archery Ailbhe Folan (Galway City) Hockey Naoise O’Donnell (Moycullen, Co. Galway) Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, and Triathlon  Sports Person of the Year - Male Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh, Co. Tipperary) Hurling  Sports Person of the Year - Female Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge, Co. Galway) Camogie  Unsung Hero Ronan Sheppard (Moycullen, Co. Galway), Matthew Kennedy (Galway City) Sailing  Team of the Year Women’s Senior 8 - Rowing  Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Female Orla Murphy (Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh) Ladies Gaelic Football  Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Male Storm McDonald (Easkey, Co. Sligo) Sub Aqua  Dean of Student Award Katia Tuck (France), Rory McDonnell (Beaufort, Co. Kerry) Table Tennis Caoimhe Gilligan (Rossinaver, Co. Leitrim) Surf, Sub Aqua Laoise Gillic (Galway City) Fencing Oscar Choo (Strandhill, Co. Sligo) Surf Neasa Ní Ainiféin (Ennis, Co. Clare) Athletics Mark Deegan (Galway City), Bernie Grealish (Galway City), John Folan (Galway City) Hockey  Director of Sports Award Emer Jackson (Castletown Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath) Camogie Ben Haverty (Athenry, Co. Galway) Men’s Gaelic Football, Hurling David Lynch (Tralee, Co. Kerry) Men’s Gaelic Football Andrew Egan (Galway City), David Mannion (Ballindereen, Co. Galway) Athletics Declan Gbinigie (Galway City), Fortune Igbokwe (Galway City) Basketball Amy O’Sullivan (Ennis, Co. Clare) Volleyball Oisin Murray (Ballyard, Co. Kerry) Athletics Niamh Ní Lochlain (Galway City) Judo Matthew Thompson (Galway City) Men’s Gaelic Football  Gradam Gaelach Award Swimming and Waterpolo Club  Ends