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Déanann Oidhreacht an Léinn comóradh ar na chéad mhic léinn a cláraíodh in 1849 – ceithre bliana i ndiaidh bhunú na hOllscoile Tá sraith imeachtaí cruthaitheacha fógartha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe inniu chun ceann d'ócáidí móra dá stair a chomóradh trí cheiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na 175 bliain atá caite aici i mbun oideachais. Shiúil na chéad mhic léinn faoin Áirse stairiúil agus isteach sa Chearnóg ag meán lae, Dé Máirt, an 30 Deireadh Fómhair 1849 chun tús a chur lena gcúrsaí staidéir agus foghlama ceithre bliana i ndiaidh bhunú na hOllscoile in 1845 mar Choláiste na Banríona, Gaillimh. D'éirigh le 68 mac léinn sna scrúduithe máithreánacha in 1849 agus thug siad faoin staidéir in 21 ábhar, mar shampla Gréigis agus Loighic agus Meitifiseas, i nDámh na nDán, Dámh an Leighis agus Dámh an Dlí, agus i Scoil na hInnealtóireachta Sibhialta agus Scoil na Talmhaíochta. Tá roinnt imeachtaí eagraithe ag an Ollscoil chun an ócáid seo a cheiliúradh faoin teideal "Oidhreacht an Léinn: 1849-2024". As Síol Beag a Fhásann an Crann is Airde Tá cuireadh á thabhairt don fhoireann, na mic léinn agus alumni "crann darach a uchtú". Tá isteach is amach le 68 crann darach óga – ceann amháin do gach duine dár gcéad mhic léinn – tar éis fás as dearcáin a bhí curtha i bhfolach ar thailte an champais ag na scréachóga coille áitiúla. Cuirfear ceann amháin acu ar chúl na Cearnóige agus tá an chuid eile acu á thairiscint don fhoireann, do na mic léinn agus alumni chun iad a chur ina ngáirdíní féin ar mhaithe leis an mbithéagsúlacht agus mar shiombail d'oidhreacht 175 bliain de mhic léinn na Gaillimhe. Tionscadal comhoibríoch tras-champais atá i gceist faoi stiúir an Dr Caitríona Carlin ó Aonad Éiceolaíochta Feidhmí na hOllscoile agus Diarmaid Mahon, Maoirseoir, Tailte agus Tírdhreachtú, le tacaíocht ó mhic léinn Eolaíochta Comhshaoil. Athléiriú de Ghrianghraf Stairiúil Tá roinnt bailiúchán oidhreachta i seilbh na hOllscoile agus tá foireann na Leabharlainne tar éis rogha grianghraf a thugann blaiseadh dúinn den ré sin a thiomsú de na mic léinn agus den champas i mblianta luatha na hOllscoile. Tá comórtas á eagrú anois chun an Oidhreacht Léinn leanúnach sin a chomóradh. Iarrtar ar mhic léinn ceann de na grianghraif stairiúla a athchruthú nó a athléiriú i suíomh comhaimseartha. 100 Réad Leabharlann na hOllscoile Tá taispeántas seolta ag Leabharlann na hOllscoile chun aird a tharraingt ar 100 réad óna mbailiúcháin a léiríonn cleachtais oibre fhoireann na leabharlainne i gcaitheamh na mblianta chomh maith lenár gcartlanna uathúla agus ár mbailiúcháin speisialta.  Is féidir léirmhíniú a fháil ar stair agus ar fhorbairt na Leabharlainne trí phriosma na réad sin, ar roghnaíodh iad mar thoradh ar thionscadal a stiúir Marie Boran, Leabharlannaí na mBailiúchán Speisialta, agus san áireamh leo tá íomhánna ó leabhair, lámhscríbhinní, bailiúcháin chartlainne, litreacha, grianghraif, nuachtáin, troscán leabharlainne, stáiseanóireacht agus déantáin. Tá an taispeántas oscailte don phobal anois i bhforhalla Áras Uí Argadáin. Céimithe a Scríobh Leabhar a Cheiliúradh Tá cáil ar shiopa leabhar Charlie Byrne i lár chathair na Gaillimhe as a cruthaithí a bhíonn a dtaispeántais fuinneoige. Mar chomóradh ar Oidhreacht Léinn na hOllscoile, tá taispeántas leabhar atá scríofa ag céimithe na Gaillimhe i gcaitheamh na mblianta curtha i dtoll a chéile chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an tionchar a bhí ag an aos léinn, idir mhic léinn agus scoláirí, le 175 bliain anuas. Faigh tuilleadh eolais faoi na tionscnaimh seo ag an nasc seo: www.universityofgalway.ie/ourhistory   Dúirt Uachtarán Eatramhach Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Peter McHugh: “Le linn an tréimhse ba mheasa de Ghorta Mór na hÉireann, tráth a raibh géarchéim shóisialta agus éiceolaíoch ollmhór ann, bhí de mhisneach ag 68 mac léinn tús a chur lena n-oideachas ag an Ollscoil seo againne agus iad ag súil le saol níos fearr agus a gcion a dhéanamh chun an domhan a fheabhsú. "Beireann mic léinn an lae inniu leo an traidisiún fada misnigh, dóchais agus méine sin, agus áirítear leo na 3,368 mac léinn a chláraigh linn ar chúrsaí staidéir den chéad uair i mbliana. Déanann an comóradh seo ar ár nOidhreacht Léinn ceiliúradh ar na rúin sin, agus ar thóir an bhairr feabhais i dteagasc, foghlaim agus taighde."   Seo mar a labhair an tUachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Eatramhach, an tOllamh Becky Whay: “Grúpa beag mac léinn a bhí againn nuair a thosaigh muid, díreach 68 acu, arb as an t-oileán seo iad ar fad, ach anois tá breis agus 20,000 mac léinn againn a thagann chuig cathair na Gaillimhe as gach cearn d'Éirinn agus as breis agus 100 tír ar fud an domhain. Táimid bródúil as an tionchar mór a d'imir siad, agus atá á imirt acu, ar an bpobal agus ar an gcathair agus cibé áit ina bhfuil siad ar domhan, agus is údar mórtais dúinn é a bheith in ann 175 bliain den oideachas i gcroílár na Gaillimhe agus iarthar na hÉireann a cheiliúradh.   Dúirt Catríona Cannon, Ceannasaí na mBailiúchán Oidhreachta agus an Digitithe, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Údar bróid dúinn i Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe taifid is luaithe na hOllscoile ina bhfuil fianaise ar bhlianta luatha an tsaoil acadúil i nGaillimh a bheith inár seilbh. Tá fáil ar na leabhair a bhí á léamh ag ár gcéad mhic léinn sna Bailiúcháin Speisialta, agus áirítear bailiúcháin chartlainne agus dhigiteacha uathúla agus éagsúla sna Bailiúcháin sin chomh maith. Agus muid ag tabhairt aghaidh ar an todhchaí agus ag féachaint le Leabharlann agus Ionad Foghlama nua a fhorbairt, tugann an taispeántas 100 Réad Leabharlann na hOllscoile deis dúinn machnamh a dhéanamh ar na forbairtí suntasacha inár stair agus ár gcleachtas gairmiúil ó 1849." Bunaíodh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe de bhun an Colleges (Ireland) Act in 1845. Coláiste na Banríona, Gaillimhe an chéad ainm a bhí ar an Ollscoil agus cuireadh ar bun í, mar aon lena comhcholáistí i gCorcaigh agus Béal Feirste, chun oideachas ollscoile neamh-shainchreidmheach a chur ar fáil do lucht meánaicme na hÉireann a bhí ag teacht i dtreis an uair sin. Lean foirgneamh na Cearnóige múnla Christ Church in Ollscoil Oxford agus baineadh úsáid as aolchloch áitiúil chun é a thógáil i stíl Ghotach na dTúdarach. Togra Faoisimh an Ghorta Mhóir a bhí i gceist leis an tógáil. Críoch

  A Legacy of Learning commemorates the first enrolments in 1849 – four years after the University was established  University of Galway has today announced a series of creative efforts to mark a milestone anniversary in its history - by celebrating 175 years of educating students. At midday on October 30, 1849, the first students walked through the historic Archway into the Quadrangle to begin their studying and learning, four years on from the University being founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway. In 1849, 68 students passed their matriculation exams and progressed on to studies in 21 subjects ranging from Greek Language to Logic and Metaphysics in the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law, and in the Schools of Civil Engineering and of Agriculture. To mark the anniversary, the University has launched a number of celebrations under the banner “A Legacy of Learning: 1849-2024". Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow Staff, students and alumni are being invited to “adopt an oak”. Some 68 oak saplings - one to remember each one of our first students - have sprouted from acorns hidden on campus grounds by the local population of jays. One will be planted to the rear of the Quadrangle and the rest are offered to staff, students and alumni to plant in their own gardens, to enhance biodiversity and to symbolise the legacy of 175 years of Galway students. This project is a cross-campus collaboration, led by Dr Caitríona Carlin from the University's Applied Ecology Unit and Diarmaid Mahon, Supervisor of Landscaping and Grounds, with the support of Environmental Science students. Historic Photo Re-enactment Drawing on a number of heritage collections, the University’s Library team have compiled a selection of evocative photos of students and the campus from the earliest years of the University. To mark the continuing Legacy of Learning, a competition has been launched asking students to recreate or situate one of the historic photos in a contemporary setting. University Library in 100 Objects The University Library has launched an exhibition to spotlight 100 objects from its collections, which represent both the working practice of librarians over the decades, as well our unique and rare archives and special collections. The Library’s history and development can be viewed through the prism of these objects, which were drawn together through a project led by Marie Boran, Special Collections Librarian, and include images from books, manuscripts, archival collections, letters, photographs, newspaper issues, library furniture, stationery and artefacts. This exhibition is now open to the public in the foyer of the Hardiman Building. Celebrating Graduate Authors Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop in Galway city centre is renowned for its creative window displays. To mark the University’s anniversary of A Legacy of Learning, a display of books written by Galway graduates over the decades has been created to celebrate the impact of students and scholars over 175 years. Find out more about these initiatives by visiting: www.universityofgalway.ie/ourhistory    Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “At the height of the Great Irish Famine, a moment of profound social and ecological crisis, 68 students began their education at our University, with the courage to hope for a better life and the desire to play their part in improving the world. “The students of today, including the 3,368 who registered to commence their first year of undergraduate study with us this year, are carrying on that long tradition of courage, hope and desire. Our Legacy of Learning anniversary celebrates those intentions and the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning and research.” Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar, said: “We have gone from a small group of 68 students to a community of more than 20,000 students who come to Galway City from across Ireland and from more than 100 countries around the world. We are proud of the immeasurable impact that our students and our graduates have made and continue to make for our community, the city and wherever they are in the world, and with them in mind today we are proud to be able to celebrate a milestone of 175 years of education at the heart of the Galway and the west of Ireland.”  Catriona Cannon, Head of Heritage Collections and Digitisation, University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway Library is proud to be the custodian of the University's earliest records, documenting the beginning of academic life in Galway. The books consulted by our first students form the basis of our Special Collections, which are further enhanced by the addition of unique and varied archive and digital collections. As we look to the future and work towards a move to a new Library and Learning Commons, the Library in 100 Objects exhibition allows us to reflect on and share the significant developments in our history and our professional practice since 1849.” University of Galway was established by the Colleges (Ireland) Act in 1845. The University was first known as Queen’s College Galway and along with it its sister colleges in Cork and Belfast, was established to provide non-denominational university education to Ireland’s emerging middle class. The Quadrangle building, built in local limestone in a Tudor Gothic architectural style, is modelled on Christ Church at the University of Oxford. The construction was a Famine Relief Project. Ends

2024 report reveals record-breaking health threats and impact of increased temperature, rainfall and flooding globally with potential critical implications for infrastructure and livelihoods in Ireland A University of Galway academic has contributed new findings presented in the eighth global annual indicator report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. While people in every country face unprecedented health threats from the changing climate, the report highlights that risks are being exacerbated by continued investment in fossil fuels and lagging funding for action to protect health. Key findings In 2023, people were exposed to, on average, an unprecedented 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures than expected without climate change. Extreme drought affected 48% of the global land area - the second-highest level recorded – and the higher frequency of heatwaves and droughts was associated with 151 million more people experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity than annually between 1981 and 2010. Authors shine a light on governments and companies “fuelling the fire” with persistent investment in fossil fuels, all-time high energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, and years of delays in adaptation that are narrowing the survival chances of people across the globe. The Lancet Countdown underscores that the financial resources to deliver net zero emissions and secure a healthy future are available. Yet governments and companies are spending trillions of dollars on fossil fuel subsidies and investments that are making climate change worse - money that could be redirected towards clean renewable energy and activities that benefit people’s health, livelihoods and wellbeing. Amidst these concerning findings, the report highlights new opportunities to put health at the centre of the world’s response to climate change, including at the upcoming United Nations Climate Summit, COP29 ‘finance COP’ in Azerbaijan, where negotiations will take place on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for increasing climate finance. Karyn Morrissey, Professor in Environment and Marine, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, is a contributing author to the Lancet report since 2016. She said: “In terms of the health impacts of climate change, increasing temperatures and exposure to extreme heat events dominate international concern with temperature records smashed throughout the globe. “Monitoring 15 climate change-related health hazards, exposures, and impacts, including measures of heat exposure, drought and wildfires, this year we found that 10 have reached new records. “However, climate change is not just about heat; in Northern Europe we are seeing an increased number, length and severity of cold snaps which are equally detrimental to our health. “In Ireland increased rainfall and flooding is directly impacting critical infrastructure in areas of the country, cities, towns and rural areas, and key economic sectors including agriculture, transportation, retail and hospitality. “At the same time, years of delays in adaptation, alongside new records in fossil fuel emissions and investments in fossil fuel sectors means that we are now dangerously close to breaching the Paris Agreements target of limiting global multi-year mean heating to 1.5 degrees. “Alongside the cost-of-living crisis, and the on-going impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic we are systematically undoing the phenomenal public health progress we made during the 20th Century, which saw life expectancy in Ireland increasing from 66 to 82 years. We need to appreciate that health progress is not a given, and that without concrete actions backed by financial and regulatory resources we are jeopardising our own future.” Dr Morrissey highlighted that Ireland still has a large rural population, many of whom work outdoors, and increases in temperature and more extreme weather events such as heavy and prolonged rain are putting people’s health and livelihoods at risk. With high rates of often hidden deprivation and already poor infrastructure, Dr Morrissey stressed that putting the health impacts of climate change at the centre of every sectors’ response to the climate crisis is key to “health-proofing” our future. Dr Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown at University College London, said: “This year’s stocktake of the imminent health threats of climate inaction reveals the most concerning findings yet in our eight years of monitoring, “Once again, last year broke climate change records, with extreme heat waves, deadly weather events, and devastating wildfires affecting people around the world. No individual or economy on the planet is immune from the health threats of climate change. The relentless expansion of fossil fuels and record-breaking greenhouse gas emissions compounds these dangerous health impacts and is threatening to reverse the limited progress made so far and put a healthy future further out of reach. “Despite this threat, we see financial resources continue to be invested in the very things that undermine our health. Repurposing the trillions of dollars being invested in, or subsidising, the fossil fuel industry every year would provide the opportunity to deliver a fair, equitable transition to clean energy and energy efficiency, and a healthier future, ultimately benefiting the global economy.” Responding to the report publication, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said: “Record-high emissions are posing record-breaking threats to our health. We must cure the sickness of climate inaction – by slashing emissions, protecting people from climate extremes, and ending our fossil fuel addiction – to create a fairer, safer, and healthier future for all.” Professor Karyn Morrissey’s work at University of Galway focuses on the impact of climate change and the environment and the impact it will have on human health and the economy. The Lancet Countdown represents the consensus of 122 authors across 57 academic institutions and UN agencies. The report will be launched through a virtual event on Wednesday October 30, 2024 from 3pm-5pm GMT. Find out more, and read the full report at lancetcountdown.org Ends