While images of gladiators being bitten by lions have appeared in ancient mosaics and pottery this is the only convincing skeletal evidence using forensic experiments anywhere in the world of bite marks produced by the teeth of a large cat The findings centre on a single skeleton discovered in a Roman-period cemetery outside York in England a site believed to contain the remains of gladiators The individual’s bones exhibited distinct lesions that upon close examination and comparison with modern zoological specimens were identified as bite marks from a large feline species The bite marks on the pelvis of the skeleton represent the first osteological confirmation of human interaction with large carnivores in a combat or entertainment setting in the Roman world outlined the significance of the discovery: “For years our understanding of Roman gladiatorial combat and animal spectacles has relied heavily on historical texts and artistic depictions physical evidence that such events took place in this period reshaping our perception of Roman entertainment culture in the region.” published in the journal of science and medical research PLOS One is a collaboration between leading institutions including Maynooth University It highlights the brutality of these spectacles and their reach beyond Rome’s core territories The study contributes a vital new dimension to our knowledge of Roman Britain reinforcing the region’s deep connection to the empire’s entertainment traditions These findings offer new avenues for research into the presence of exotic animals in Roman-period Britain and the lives of those involved in gladiatorial combat The full research paper --  Unique osteological evidence for human-animal gladiatorial combat in Roman Britain -- is available here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0319847 Maynooth University & Maynooth University logo are registered trademarks of the National University of Ireland Maynooth.Registered charity number 20037130 The Development and Alumni Relations Office in collaboration with the Careers and Employability Service and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities hosted an event for current Maynooth University Arts students entitled:‘Arts Students and Your Future: Find Out where You Arts Degree Can Take You’ The event which took place on Thursday 1 May 2025 in the Phoenix Boardroom was an alumni panel discussion featuring a group of Maynooth University Arts graduates with diverse career paths showcasing the wide range of opportunities and pathways that an Arts degree can offer The session was formally opened by Professor Alison Hood Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities The discussion highlighted the versatility of an Arts degree highlighting the wide array of professional opportunities available to graduates. The alumni panellists which included a Policy Analyst at the Department of the Environment a Marketing & Membership Executive at Image Magazine a Client Experience Executive at Goodbody and an Assistant Radio Producer at Today FM Each speaker shared honest and insightful reflections on their time as students and throughout their careers. It was an engaging discussion with students enthusiastically participating in the Q&A session and connecting with the alumni panellists afterward. To further support students’ professional development a student photographer was on hand to take LinkedIn headshots and attendees had the opportunity to win raffle prizes after the event A full recording of the panel discussion will be available to view online shortly Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open You are visiting us because we have something you value Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. A NUMBER OF train services are currently experiencing significant delays due to an issue at a crossing near Maynooth Co Kildare in the early hours of this morning Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) said that delays are expected between Maynooth and Leixlip due to “an issue” at a level crossing between these two stations” located in the Kilmacredock area All services between Maynooth and Connolly have been impacted including Dublin-bound intercity services from Sligo and Longford Delays expected between Maynooth and Leixlip. There is an issue at a level crossing between these two Station. Delays between Maynooth and Connolly are currently expected. We are working to rectify this issue. Update to follow. -CL #Irishrail @TFIupdates Several trains are expected to be held in Maynooth and other services have been delayed by over 45 minutes Iarnród Éireann have said that special signalling arrangements are in place to enable trains to operate between Maynooth and Clonsilla Dublin Bus is also accepting rail tickets from Maynooth and Leixlip “We are working to rectify this issue,” Iarnród Éireann said in a statement Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user Create an email alert based on the current article Maynooth University is embarking on the construction of a dedicated €19 million Sport Science Centre which will include facilities to promote health and wellbeing on campus The University received planning permission from Kildare County Council in late 2024 for a three-storey extension to its Phoenix Sports and Restaurant Building According to Michael Rafter, Director of Estates at MU: “Our primary goal remains to provide modern university facilities for our students to enhance their wellbeing and positive experience while at Maynooth University and we believe this scheme will provide a significant and much needed contribution to student and campus life.” The new centre will also provide students and staff with enhanced educational opportunities in a purpose-built facility with a modern and comfortable teaching environment The new Sport Science Department and the Sports Office will both be located in the complex fostering collaboration and mutual support between the two It is anticipated that work will start on the new building in summer 2025 and it will open its doors to students and staff in January 2027 Prof Tim Thompson says: “A strong sports offer can really enhance the student experience as well as provide wider teaching and learning opportunities We're looking forward to working with our students and wider university community to further embed sports and physical activities into our Maynooth experience.” He said MU’s new sports strategy has been designed to form part of the wider health and wellbeing ecosystem in the national context. The plans are aligned with the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the UNHCR Sports Strategy 2022-2026 https://www.leinsterleader.ie/section/1240/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Kildare and Leinster County Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read the latest crime and court news from Kildare and the surrounding areas Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Find whats happening in and around Kildare and Leinster Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Kildare and Leinster Read about the latest properties available in Kildare and Leinster Enjoy our latest and up to date motoring review and news in Kildare and Leinster Kildare and Leinster Met Eireann Weather Forecast Recent death notices and obituaries from Kildare and Leinster Latest environmental and climate change news in County Kildare Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism Tributes have been paid to a Maynooth woman who has been remembered as 'a truly kind lady' and a 'true cultured lady of Irish language Mary (Máire) O'Flaherty (née Hynes), Kilmacreddock, Maynooth, Kildare / Leixlip Mary passed away peacefully in the tender care of the staff of St Beloved wife of the late Beartla and mother of the late Maitiú Sadly missed by her loving sons Colm and Eoin Heartfelt tributes paid to Mary on RIP.ie this week included: “Sincere sympathy to Ann Alan also the OFlaherty and Hynes families on the passing of Mary to her eternal reward in Heaven she was helpful and extremely interested in the music she was a true cultured lady of Irish language And: “Heartfelt Sympathy to Maire's family her siblings and the extended family on her sad death Maire was an inspiration - her bravery and courage knew no bounds It has been a privilege to be a friend of Maire's for many many years and her support for Comhaltas and Irish Culture in general was immense Thoughts and Prayers are with you all at this difficult time.” While another mourner wrote: “I'm so sad to hear about Mary's passing and would like to express my deepest condolences to all her lovely family and friends We met many years ago through our role as volunteers for Arthritis Ireland and had lots in common as we shared the same rheumatoid arthritis disease She was a fantastic role model for anyone with chronic disease with her ' can do' attitude Mary showed her kindness through her tireless work managing a water exercise class in Celbridge and exercise classes in Maynooth She also fundraised for the local branch activities Reposing at her residence (W23 X2T5) on Wednesday evening from 4pm to 8pm Removal on Thursday morning at 10.30am to arrive at the Church of Our Lady’s Nativity followed by removal to arrive for evening prayers in the Church of the Immaculate Conception Funeral mass on Friday morning at 10.30am in the Church of the Immaculate Conception followed by burial in Reilig Mhaírois Cemetery Directions to Reilig Mhaírois Cemetery : https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mzjip3hSJ1KYhcHbA?g_st=am Mary’s funeral mass in Leixlip may be viewed online (live only) at 11.00am on Thursday morning by clicking here: https://oln.ie/oln/live-webcam/ The evening prayers and funeral mass in Moycullen Church by clicking here: https://mcn.live/Camera/church-of-the-immaculate-conception Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues Blanchardstown via the "donation" section below please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230 Donations to St Francis' Hospice: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/MM94375792/donate.html READ NEXT: Kildare travel counsellors part of award-winning team " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Punters have flocked to the Kildare racecourse in their thousands all week with Friday seeing the highest-ever single day attendance of more than 43,000 people Outside Naas courthouse are: Susanna Cawley The role offers an attractive package for the right candidate Kilgallen and Partners Consulting Engineers Ltd is an established consulting engineering practice The Foster & Allen '50 Years Of Hits' concert will be filled with all the songs that made them worldwide famous "I cannot look back at 2024 without thanking all of those who supported me in the European elections last June." Local News Photo courtesy of An Garda Síochána Kildare Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie Minister for Education Helen McEntee, has welcomed the announcement that MU is to offer a new three-year Professional Doctorate programme in Educational Psychology from September 2025, to support a substantial increase in the number of qualified educational psychologists available to the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) The programme, which will be supported by the Department of Education through a bursary scheme marks a significant step forward on the Government’s commitment to double the number of college places for educational psychologists as outlined in the Programme for Government 2025 An increase in the supply of educational psychologists available to NEPS will help to ensure the ongoing delivery of a high-quality educational psychology service to children young people and teachers in their school communities across Ireland Minister for Education Helen McEntee said: “It is vital that all children and young people can feel safe and supported to thrive during their time in our schools NEPS psychologists play a really important role in supporting our school communities it is imperative to me that we deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to double the number of college places for educational psychologists so we ensure we can have an ample supply of qualified psychologists available to resource our NEPS teams I am delighted therefore to be announcing that Maynooth University will offer this new three-year professional doctorate programme I congratulate Maynooth University on the establishment of the programme and look forward to a strong partnership with them.” MU President Professor Eeva Leinonen said, “Our Departments of Education and Psychology, and the Assisting Living and Learning (ALL) Institute have come together to offer a new and dynamic Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology supported by the Department of Education/National Educational Psychological Service "Continuing Maynooth's proud tradition of promoting social inclusion this will be a central theme of the doctorate along with a particular emphasis on trauma informed services the use of digital technologies for developmental assessment I am confident that this programme will produce not only excellent practitioners but also outstanding research and significant contributions to policy On April 15th, 2025, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi issued three awards for the best theses of 2024 within the Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia We are proud to say that the winner under the humanities and economics field partly developed her thesis here at Maynooth University With the help and support of Dr. Dobbs and Dr. Kelleher, Alessia was able to present the initial research for her thesis at UCC Postgraduate Research Symposium on Environmental Law, implementing in her thesis the feedback received therein The prizes will be officially presented at a public event on May 14th We wish to congratulate Alessia on this wonderful achievement.  The 2025 Arts and Minds Festival returns to Maynooth University from May 8 - 10 marking the fourth year of this annual celebration of Irish and international culture This year’s programme is the biggest to date and includes a range of performances discussions and screenings for all interests and age groups both on campus and in the town of Maynooth where neighbouring choirs perform as one single choir with new pieces learned at a free choral workshop plus pieces from their own repertoires The festival opens on Thursday, May 8, with Italian Passions: An Evening of Bel Canto in Aula Maxima on MU’s South Campus. Presented by the Irish National Opera the concert features a selection of arias and duets by Bellini performed by Anna Devin and Gianluca Margheri Literature is always a key part of the festival and The Literary Lounge keynote on Saturday May 10 features Pulitzer Prize winner Nathan Thrall in conversation with Booker Prize winner and MU Distinguished Writing Fellow Paul Lynch in St Mary’s Church of Ireland The 2025 festival will also include a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s film, Barry Lyndon to celebrate 50 years since its release in 1975 Hosted by Maynooth Film for All in the TSI Building on Saturday many of the scenes were filmed at Carton House in Maynooth https://www.kildarenow.com/section/1005/contact-us All the latest breaking local news from Kildare and county Catch up on all the latest business news in Kildare and Leinster Thefts at Intel and Maynooth University believed to be linked Gardaí believe that two recent theft incidents which occurred on the grounds of Intel in Leixlip and Maynooth University respectively could be linked Sergeant John Dunne of Newbridge Garda Station outlined the suspicion held by gardaí when he appeared on a KFM radio programme earlier today (Wednesday He explained that both incidents took place on Friday it took place on the grounds of Intel in Leixlip a white transit van which was parked on the grounds of Intel was broken into and a number of tools inside of it were stolen by the perpetrators He also said that a drill was used in order to break into the van Sgt Dunne explained that the perpetrators attempted to break into another vehicle on the site criminal damage was caused to this vehicle as a result of the break-in attempt "Gardaí believe that a dark-coloured vehicle was involved and that there was three persons in this suspect vehicle," he added "Gardaí from Leixlip are reviewing CCTV from Intel." Sgt Dunne concluded by urging anyone with information to contact Leixlip Garda Station on 01 666 7800 It is also believed by gardaí that the incident at Intel is linked to a second incident which took place shortly afterwards Sgt Dunne explained that this incident took place on the grounds of Maynooth University on the same date and a tool bag was stolen from the vehicle He added that CCTV is also being reviewed by gardaí in relation to this incident and urged anyone with information to contact Leixlip Garda Station Sgt Dunne also urged people to "make sure that their vehicles are "locked up" when not in use and to remove any "visual temptation or easy gain" of possessions which may be left inside of the vehicles When asked by the Leinster Leader about the theft at Intel a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána responded:  "Gardaí received a report of an incident of theft from a van that occurred in Collinstown County Kildare at approximately 10:50am on March 21 "A number of belongings were taken during this incident When asked by the Leinster Leader about the theft at Maynooth University the same spokesperson replied:  "Gardaí also received a report of an incident of theft from a van that occurred at an institution in Maynooth County Kildare on the morning of March 21 "A number of belongings were taken during this incident." "Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson concluded READ NEXT: Intreo Work and Skills event to be held in Kildare House of Hearing's experienced audiologist Matt Allen Ireland’s three Regional Assemblies, in collaboration with the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University, have launched the National Census Atlas This is a ground-breaking tool that provides an unprecedented view of over 200 social and environmental indicators at the neighbourhood level across Ireland a new section on the Regional Development Monitor (RDM) dedicated to key Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) indicators is also being unveiled This pioneering atlas is hosted on the Tailte Éireann GeoHive platform via the Regional Development Monitor (RDM) enabling users to explore a wealth of data in an accessible and interactive format From housing trends and employment statistics to environmental factors the atlas delivers valuable insights for policymakers All data in the atlas comes from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Census 2022 results ensuring the most up-to-date and accurate representation of Ireland’s social and economic characteristics Justin Gleeson emphasised the significance of the initiative: “The National Census Atlas represents a major step forward in democratising access to data By providing granular insights at the neighbourhood level this tool empowers stakeholders across Ireland to identify needs It is a fantastic example of public sector collaboration in Ireland and the use of publicly funded data collection initiatives.” Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly added: “This project highlights the power of collaboration in advancing regional development goals which offers a new perspective on Ireland’s evolving social This tool is a great addition to the Regional Development Monitor which has become a key resource for local and regional authorities in Ireland.” Developed by the RDM project team in collaboration with the Department of Enterprise the dashboard provides visualisations for several key indicators the new S3 visualisation platform will support policymakers and businesses in identifying areas of strategic growth and contributing to regional prosperity across Ireland MU Walking Trails launch for Green Week -Information stands and guided walks will run throughout Green Week 2025 – view the full schedule.  Maynooth Green Campus, in collaboration with the Healthy Campus team is launching a new Nature Connection Trail alongside the relaunch of two updated walking trails as part of Green Week 2025 (24-28 March).   and the broader community a chance to step outside Each trail has been refreshed with new markers and QR codes as well as mindfulness exercises designed to encourage a deeper connection with the environment.   Nature Connection Trail – Encouraging Mindfulness and Wellbeing  Spending time in nature can have a positive impact on well-being, helping to improve focus, reduce stress, and boost overall mental health. The Nature Connection Trail is designed to bring attention to the many green and blue spaces on campus encouraging walkers to notice the variety of plants and wildlife around them. Developed by Dr Ronan Foley from the Geography Department in collaboration with Healthy Campus, the route includes QR codes linking to short surveys and reflective exercises designed to connect you to the beautiful natural spaces on campus An easy way to take a mindful break and reset during a busy day.  providing structured activities for younger learners.  Biodiversity Trail – A Changing Campus  We are delighted to confirm that award-winning Syrian-Irish writer Suad Aldarra has agreed to deliver the annual MU Sanctuary lecture.  The title of her lecture will be ‘I don’t want to talk about home: A conversation with Suad Aldarra’ This will take place on Thursday the 8th of May from 5pm to 6.30pm in SE133 in the School of Education Building.  There will be refreshments served afterwards and we are currently inviting participants to register by close of business on Friday 2nd May Please click here to register for this event and we would be grateful if you can also share the poster (attached) with your networks and events led by Maynooth Green Campus (MGC) and Healthy Campus MGC is a cross-university initiative bringing together students and partners to advance sustainability in research Maynooth Green Campus is a cross-university initiative that brings together students and external partners to advance sustainability through research It drives climate action across programmes promoting both practical action and long-term change.  Green Week is an opportunity to get involved through workshops, talks, or exploring the campus trails. It’s a chance to learn more about sustainability at MU and take small steps that make a difference. View the full Green Week 2025 schedule.  This year's key highlight is the new Nature Connection Trail launch alongside updates to the Tairseach Tree Trail and Biodiversity Trail which offer new ways to explore the campuses and engage with MU’s sustainability and well-being A delegation of 26 representatives from Maynooth University recently attended the Arqus Annual Conference 2025 The conference featured a series of plenary sessions addressing key issues facing the European Universities Initiative Topics included the future of higher education alliances and the role of digital infrastructure in strengthening partnerships across European universities MU President Professor Eeva Leinonen chaired the opening session which explored the legal entity for European university alliances and its implications for the structure and governance of collaborations like Arqus.  Maynooth University is honoured to host the next Arqus Annual Conference in July 2026 coinciding with Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  A delegation of 26 representatives from Maynooth University As we celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge in conjunction with the MU Oifig na Gaeilge is delighted to announce a series of significant achievements in integrating the Irish language into the Arqus European University Alliance Maynooth University (MU) was delighted to host the in-person workshop “Digitally Transcribing and Editing Medieval Sources,” by Dr Bernhard Bauer from the University of Graz The Arqus Alliance is thrilled to announce the launch of the fourth Arqus Teaching Excellence Award contest The Award will be presented at the Arqus Annual Conference in University of Leipzig (2-4 April 2025) Winners will be invited to participate in the conference to give a guest lecture or workshop for teachers of the Arqus Alliance This week Maynooth University is hosting a significant Arqus event on the 21st and 22nd of November where we will be welcoming around 50 guests from across the Alliance Join us as a collaborator to connect with fellow students under the new Intercultural Dialogue Circles A 20 strong delegation from Maynooth University attends the 4th Annual Meeting at the University of Minho MU Critical Skills scoops prestigious Arqus Teaching Excellence Awards honouring outstanding pedagogical practices Maynooth University takes part in valuable Arqus Alliance workshop to enhance best practices of micro-credentials for the benefit of all Arqus Alliance partner universities Maynooth University joins the Arqus Alliance’s efforts to build a forward-looking integrated and research-driven European University establishing transformative excellence and worldclass research opportunities Maynooth University welcomes the appointment of Gavin McCrea as Writer in Residence at the University for 2025. He is one of nine new Arts Council artists in residence announced across six Irish universities His first novel, Mrs Engels (Scribe was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliot Prize and the Walter Scott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award His second novel, The Sisters Mao (Scribe The novels are the first two instalments of Gavin's Wives of the Revolution trilogy During his residency at Maynooth University he will work on the third instalment, Mother Molotov  His first work of non-fiction, Cells (Scribe was chosen as a book of the year by The Observer, The Irish Times and the Irish Independent and was longlisted for the Polari Prize for LGBTQ+ Literature explores Gavin’s relationship with his aging mother with whom he spent the Covid-19 quarantine as her mind slipped slowly away Gavin’s next novel, Walking with Jean-Jacques will be published by John Murray on 26 February 2026 His articles have appeared in The Paris Review, The Guardian, The Irish Times, The Dublin Review, Lithub and Catapult Welcoming his appointment, Belinda McKeon, Coordinator of MU’s MA in Creative Writing said: “We at Maynooth University are thrilled to welcome Gavin McCrea as the 2025 Arts Council Writer in Residence Gavin's talent and breadth as a writer will make him a terrific presence in our growing Creative Writing community as well as extending rich opportunities for conversation and learning to our MA students We are also committed to creating a nurturing and beneficial working environment for Gavin as a practitioner.” said: “They help embed creativity in education providing critical support to artists as they advance their practice while also creating vibrant opportunities for students and staff to engage directly with professional artistic expression They make for a profound exchange that inspires and uplifts both the artistic and academic communities.   “We are hugely grateful to all the institutions who work with us to deliver these residency programmes Their partnership and continued support are immensely valued.”  MU’s previous Arts Council Writer in Residence Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel Prophet Song He has since been appointed as a Distinguished Writing Fellow and teaches on the MA in Creative Writing Late last year, MU appointed percussionist Ruairí Glasheen as Artist in Residence while it also named Ré Ó Laighléis as Scríbhneoir Cónaithe or Irish language Writer in Residence culture and language as outlined in its Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 The full list of 2025 Arts Council awardees is available here Keith loved people and enriched his relationships with a sense of fun and a wicked sense of humour We are so sorry he is gone and wish him rest David was particularly innovative and his modules were a highlight for many students he is highly regarded in Ireland and abroad as is evidenced by the  many competitive research awards David was a Visiting Lecturer at the Ludwig-Maximilians University He was also a Fellow at the Shelby Cullom Davis Centre for Historical Studies at the University of Princeton and at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation In 2007 he was awarded the Gerald Strauss Prize of the Sixteenth Century Society Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe: A Bavarian Beacon published by Cambridge University Press David was the recipient of an Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences award and more recently (2015-17) he was based at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of the Emotions (Adelaide University) and at the Centre for the History of the Emotions (Queen Mary University London) he was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Bavarian History in Munich The editor of German History in Global and Transnational Perspective (Palgrave/MacMillan he has also published some thirty-five articles and chapters across fields that include the history of witchcraft We wish David many happy years of good health and happiness in his retirement The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will cover 90 per cent of the course fees for early years staff who undertake a degree course They can study the course over a four-year period while continuing their regular daily work within the early learning and care sector The fund aims to help meet the Government objective of achieving a graduate-led workforce in early learning and care services by 2028 It is designed to complement and add to other Government financial supports such as the Free Fees Initiative and SUSI grants which early years educators can also qualify for depending on their circumstances MH004 - More information Further information on the Nurturing Skills Learner fund can be found here. Featured image appearance from left to right - Patrick O’Riordan Director Greater China Ambassador of Ireland to China Dr Nicholas O’Brien A Maynooth University delegation representing our Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Office was honoured to be joined by Ambassador of Ireland to China Nicholas O’Brien and Minister James Browne for the official launch of the Maynooth University China Office on Monday 17th March at the Embassy of Ireland The university is thankful to have been joined by over 70 friends colleagues and partners for this exciting launch and we are looking forward to building on the great foundation of institutional partnerships alumni and agent networks that we have established in China The Beijing Prepare Education Office will be the new base for Maynooth University’s activities in China and will allow prospective students greater access to information and opportunities at MU.  “The opening of our new China office in Beijing earlier this week marks a significant milestone in our internationalisation strategy This new base will enhance our mobility and recruitment ambitions in this crucial market while also coordinating and strengthening our existing Transnational Education (TNE) partnerships and regional partnerships it will provide an opportunity to establish new partnerships aligned with our strategic priorities Patrick’s Day at the Irish Embassy in Beijing and our network of stakeholders at home and in the region are eagerly anticipating the opportunities that this strategic decision presents We are excited to showcase the benefits of this new and exciting chapter in our history in the years to come was founded in 2008 initially as an international education consulting company to provide student recruitment services and promotion in the China market for overseas institutions With a “rocket raising” demand for internationalisation in Chinese universities they later expanded their services to institutional partnerships by building up international programs and research collaboration to enable their partner institutions to meet strategic internationalisation goals To further enhance and facilitate their foreign partners’ business in the Chinese market they now also assist partners with in-country expertise and the operation of China offices We look forward to working closely with Prepare Global Education to enhance our services for our prospective students from China * Appearance from left to right -Jerry Zheng Prepare Education Beijing Office Hector Liu Beijing Prepare Education Office He will deliver his inaugural professorial lecture Converting ideas to reality: the challenge of making micro impacts on 10 April 2025 at 3:00 pm in Renehan Hall.  Register to attend on Eventbrite  I work on infectious disease – mainly bacteria and fungi that cause illness in humans I’m interested in how these pathogens survive and interact with the body at a molecular level including how they produce toxins and resist treatment How did you become interested in this area?  What are some of the projects you’ve led at Maynooth?  How does your research influence your teaching?  What stands out when you reflect on your time at Maynooth so far?  What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?  A study led by researchers at Maynooth University and funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine on women in agriculture has provided an in-depth profile of female farmers in Ireland identifying the barriers they face and recommending policy changes to tackle them HER-SELF, or Highlighting pathways to Empower Rural women to have Sustainable and Equitable Livelihoods in Farming says that the agriculture sector needs to attract women in greater numbers to ensure future sustainability The study, led by Dr Martina Roche of Maynooth University’s Department of Geography working with Dr Mary Anne Hurley of Munster Technological University Dr Áine Macken-Walsh of Teagasc and MU’s Dr Nóirín MacNamara analysed existing data on the sector from the perspective of gender It provides the first comprehensive demographic and geographic report on women in farming in Ireland “This impacts on the work of each person on the family farm and importantly on each person’s legal status as well as farm family finances and decision-making patterns," she says The study identifies barriers to female participation in agriculture succession issues and the challenge of combining farm work faces additional barriers produced through the intersections of tax representation and inclusion of women in farming a greater focus on improving gender equality in agriculture since the research was completed in September 2024 The study found that women do not feel they have the right to identify as a farmer “They understand that at a community level they are expected to fulfil the ‘woman as helper’ norm and that they may be queried and/or incur social penalties if they transgress that,” Dr Roche said “It is important for women and other under-represented groups to self-identify as farmers and for all members of the sector to value the work they do on farms and to recognise their legitimacy in the agriculture sector.” The report makes several recommendations to make farming more equitable Launching the report at Maynooth University Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for Research and Development said: “Women have always been integral to the family farm but often their crucial role has not been fully recognised or acknowledged Recent initiatives through the CAP Strategic Plan and the Action Plan arising from the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture “There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to continue to prioritise work in this area The findings and recommendations provided by this report which is funded by my Department’s Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call will help shape future policies and research in this area.” You can read the full report here is set to investigate the social justice implications of Ireland’s housing retrofitting policies Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this three-year initiative began in March 2024 and is led by Dr Fiadh Tubridy from MUSSI and the Geography Department at Maynooth University As Ireland works toward reducing carbon emissions the decarbonisation of housing has become a national priority The government has committed to upgrading the energy performance of 500,000 homes by 2030 aiming not only to cut emissions but also to lower energy costs and improve public health the social implications of retrofitting schemes are less understood—and JustHousing seeks to address these gaps A key component of JustHousing’s approach is community engagement The success of the project relies on strong relationships with residents as well as collaboration with tenant and community groups working to address housing challenges collectively Researchers encourage anyone interested in learning more or sharing their experiences to get in touch See http://mu.ie/justhousing Maynooth University is delighted to welcome Nobel Laureate Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the Australian National University to the campus to give the 2025 Faculty of Science and Engineering Dean's Lecture TICKETS: Event tickets are free but limited. Book your ticket through Eventbrite by clicking here We are delighted to announce the call for nominations for the Maynooth University Teaching Awards 2024-2025 recognise the particular academic achievements of some of our first year students Congratulations to over seventy new Maynooth University students joining us this year who achieved 575 points or more in their Leaving Certificate examination The Entrance Scholars Awards Ceremony took place recently on campus Maynooth University President Professor Eeva Leinonen presented the Scholars with a commemorative piece of crystal in the presence of family Ita McGuigan said ‘we are delighted to celebrate with Scholarship recipients their outstanding achievements in the Leaving Certificates we had over 70 Scholars from over 60 schools from all over Ireland in attendance who chose to study at Maynooth University’ More about undergraduate scholarships The International Office and Maynooth Students’ Union recently hosted the first celebration of International Cultures and Identities on Maynooth Campus interspersed with performances from international students from India and Ecuador Fáilte chuig gaa.ie - suíomh oifigiúil CLG Maynooth University's Conor Duke in Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup action Maynooth University 2-9 St Mary's 1-7 By Paul Keane at Maynooth University North Campus Maynooth are the last team through to the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup quarter-finals but boy did the hosts live dangerously late on in this Round 3 encounter Just a point separated these sides approaching the 60th minute following Niall McKenna's goal for a resurgent St Mary's from a penalty suggesting the Belfast side could sneak a result when Kerry's Luke Crowley netted for hosts Maynooth but turned what was at one stage in the first-half an eight-point deficit into just a one-point game Maynooth didn't score at all in the third quarter of the game and their first point in the second-half didn't arrive until the 51st minute That is something that last season's semi-finalists will have to address if they are to make it back to the last four this year They were without Dunshaughlin's Conor Duke for 10 minutes after a 43rd minute black card But they got away with it on this occasion because the next score after that McKenna penalty conversion for St Mary's was Frayne's fifth point of the evening to leave two between them Frayne then got on the ball in a central position deep into stoppage time and ran hard at the St Mary's defence offloading to Tullamore's Harry Plunkett who played in James Harris on the left for their second goal Suddenly Maynooth were five clear and coasting again though they will realise that with St Mary's down to 14 players for three quarters of the game Tyrone's Sean O'Donnell was shown a straight red card in the 19th minute following an off the ball incident that left Maynooth's Brian O'Halloran grounded and already on top following the Crowley goal and points from the likes of Plunkett Maynooth hit the interval with a 1-7 to 0-3 lead late winning goal when these sides met at the same stage in 2022 He was among the first-half scorers this time too but Maynooth were pinned back for long spells of the second-half as St Mary's rallied and when substitute Callum Walsh won a 58th minute penalty who'd struck 2-14 in his previous two games drilled it low to the net but that was as close as St Mary's came who bounced back from their extra-time Round 1 loss to TUS Midlands with a five-goal Round 2B thumping of ATU Donegal TU Dublin and TUS Midlands already through to the quarter-finals UL and DCU in advancing as Round 3 winners Scorers for Maynooth University: Luke Crowley Scorers for St Mary's: Niall McKenna 1-2 (1-0pen Maynooth: Eoin Sheehan (Kildare); Daniel Scahill (Westmeath) Thomas McPhillips (Monaghan); James Harris (Kildare) Sean O'Hare (Meath); Conor Gray (Meath) Conor Duke (Meath); Paddy McDermott (Kildare) Sean Emmanuel (Meath); Harry Plunkett (Offaly) Geordi O'Meara (Offaly) for Crowley 45 St Mary's: Shea Magill (Armagh); Finn Murdock (Down) Macdarragh Hynes (Down); Sean Quigley (Armagh) Daniel Haigney (Tyrone); Darragh Treanor (Monaghan) Fergal O'Brien (Armagh); Dara Mooney (Derry) Niall Burns (Antrim); Callum Lagan (Derry) Subs: Caolan Reavey (Armagh) for Haigney 35 Kerry impress in Electric Ireland Munster MFC win over Cork6 hours ago Tipp beat Clare in Electric Ireland Munster MFC Phase 1 Final9 hours ago Referees named for Ulster and Leinster SFC Finals16 hours ago Kevin McStay expecting positive Mayo response22 hours ago Official Sponsors of the GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Official Sponsors of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Championship Maynooth University today hosted an inspiring International Women’s Day (IWD) event to celebrate leadership The event explored women's achievements in leadership particularly within the diplomatic service with the aim of inspiring the next generation of leaders.   A panel of four female ambassadors explored leadership journeys the impact of higher education on diplomacy Ireland has made strides in gender equality in the diplomatic service reaching a 50% male-to-female ambassador ratio “Progress on gender equality is critical to our work in building a society that values everyone's potential and talent equally and an economy that utilises Ireland's rich reservoir of talent."  said: "As we celebrate International Women's Day we recognise the profound impact of female leadership The significant shift in the number of female university Presidents in Ireland marks a step toward gender equality in higher education reflecting the progress we must continue to champion.   Human Resources Division & Corporate Services Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs “We want to reflect the people and the country we serve And we also want to benefit as an organisation from the diverse perspectives and experiences of our people As a public sector organisation representing Ireland abroad we want to show leadership and the Department has set ambitious targets for how we will work to address issues relating to gender I am very pleased to be able to say that half of Ireland’s diplomatic missions are headed by women.”  Some of Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship highlights over the past few months include a visit to the Sports Centre to speak to the scholars from Padraig Harrington Sport Scholarship application is open until April 1st. Find out more and apply here. Maynooth University has unveiled an ‘Elephant in the Room’ (EIR) sculpture at the heart of its campus, underlining its commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing and promoting a campus culture that is inclusive The new sculpture was unveiled on Wednesday, 27 November by MU President Prof Eeva Leinonen a PhD scholar in the Department of History who first proposed having the sculpture at MU A naming competition for the elephant was also announced for MU staff and students The Elephant in the Room movement was co-founded by Dave Southern and former rugby international Brent Pope to challenge stigmas around mental health using sculptures of elephants which are displayed in institutions to identify them as a place that actively supports mental health awareness The purpose of the elephant art sculpture is to create the opportunity for more people to start a conversation about the stigmas that most affect them to open up and talk about their ‘Elephant in the Room’ At the unveiling of the ‘Elephant in the Room’ statue we are committed to fostering a campus where mental health and well-being are prioritised so that no one feels alone in their struggles The unveiling of our ‘Elephant in the Room’ sculpture is both a symbol and a reminder that mental health challenges are a part of life Through this sculpture and the resources it represents we aim to send a clear message to our community: you are not alone EIR's Dave Southern described the elephant as "a beacon of hope for people to come in and know they are in a safe space where there are people and services on site to help" Maynooth University congratulates eight academics and researchers who received Research Allies awards from Research Ireland today.  Research Ally prizes mark the crucial role played by higher education staff in supporting the academic research community across all career levels academic and research-active staff were invited to nominate the mentors research officers and technical support staff who have supported their work and careers and improved the Irish research ecosystem.  Maynooth University Research Allies Awardees:  Research Ireland also highlighted outstanding contributions to research with the presentation of several prestigious awards Prof Christine Casey from Trinity College Dublin was awarded Researcher of the Year Dr Aaron Lim from University College Cork was awarded Early Career Researcher of the Year and The Impact Award went to Dr Jakub Gajewski from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ireland's Director of Research said: “The researchers being honoured today have demonstrated excellence in their many achievements within and beyond their disciplines The awardees are wonderful examples of those that have gone above and beyond to bring new knowledge and understandings to the fore At different stages in their research journey they are enriching their respective fields and Ireland’s research and innovation system more sustainable and more culturally enriched world Maynooth University announces the 2025 staff awards for public engagement The awards celebrate the efforts of our staff to engage non-academic audiences with the University’s work and the positive societal impacts such engagement can yield The University Strategic Plan 2023-28 identifies “Engagement and Partnerships” as one the four key pillars for the University and calls for growing our partnerships with society in ways that lead to better outcomes for all The 2025 Maynooth University Public Engagement Awards recognise and celebrate the myriad ways in which MU staff partner with the public to heighten and showcase the impact of our university.  For the purposes of this award ‘the public’ encapsulates non-academic external stakeholders such as individuals The winners will receive €2,000 to benefit their continued public engagement activity Learn more about the 2025 Maynooth University Public Engagement Awards including information on making your application Professor Sean Doyle was born in Waterford attended Mount Sion School and secured an industrial scholarship to attend Waterford Regional Technical College (now SETU) He graduated from University College Cork in 1985 with a 1st class BSc (Biochemistry) he successfully completed a PhD (Biochemistry) at UCC in 1989 under the supervision of Professor Shawn Doonan on ‘The purification and primary structure analysis of human liver cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase.’ He emigrated to the UK in 1989 and undertook research roles at Unilever Research and Wellcome Diagnostics and in the latter position made enabling contributions to the development and manufacture of the first advanced diagnostic systems for Hepatitis C antibody detection to be deployed in blood transfusion centres in the UK and Europe Returning to Ireland in 1994 he became Head of R&D at Biotrin a start-up medical diagnostic company where amongst other contributions he and his team played a lead role in developing and securing unprecedented US FDA approval for two Parvovirus B19 diagnostic systems used to screen individuals for Parvovirus B19 exposure especially pregnant women where viral infection can lead to foetal loss In 1997 he was recruited by Maynooth University as a Lecturer to direct the BSc (Biotechnology) After multiple original contributions to parvovirology he turned his attention to another infectious disease of humans caused by the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus fumigatus coincided with the availability of the entire fungal genome next generation sequencing and a desire to train the next generation of Researchers using both advanced molecular biology approaches and protein mass spectrometry his research team and collaborators have made seminal findings and discoveries in fungal biosynthetic gene cluster functionality integrated metabolic systems in filamentous fungi and the biotechnological application of fungal metabolites The latter for both disease diagnosis and potentially overcoming antibiotic resistance one of the major global health problems of the 21st Century his research has focused on fungal metal-chelating peptides the biosynthesis of which has yielded extensive new knowledge on what was Professor Doyle was promoted to Full Professor in 2022 after an internal competitive process and continues his research in both disease diagnosis and mechanisms of infectious disease The Arts and Humanities Institute at Maynooth warmly congratulates Professor Terence Dooley, Head of the Department of History on his appointment as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy the highest academic distinction in Ireland.  This prestigious recognition is a testament to Professor Dooley’s outstanding contributions to historical scholarship particularly his pioneering research on Ireland’s great houses and landed estates Through representing the Academy nationally and internationally and by promoting the Academy’s strategic mission to advocate for the arts and social sciences in Ireland Professor Dooley will make a significant contribution to public debate and public policy formation on issues in history Ronan’s research explores the relationship between place and health—how our environments influence well-being His mentorship has inspired a generation of researchers now working in academia Professor Rob Kitchin opened the event by acknowledging Ronan’s impact “His generosity as a colleague and mentor has helped build the supportive community we have today We’ll miss his wit and warmth around the department but we know his impact will continue to inspire future geographers.” Dr Sarah Bell from the University of Exeter highlighted Ronan’s ability to connect personal experiences of place with broader social ideas “He always encouraged us to push boundaries and think differently He’s inspired so many of us to be bold and creative in our work.” She also recalled his playful curiosity sharing a memorable moment from a 2018 methods workshop where participants testing biosensing technology saw Benedict Cumberbatch filming nearby “We’ve since dubbed it ‘The Cumberbatch Effect,’” she laughed “Ronan turned an unexpected moment into one of the highlights of my career.”  Professor Andrew Power an MU alum now at the University of Southampton spoke about Ronan’s generosity as a collaborator Working with him has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.” Reflecting on Ronan’s wider contributions, Professor Gerry Kearns described him as “thoughtful, curious, and genuinely kind,” highlighting his role in fostering a collegial and supportive environment within the Department of Geography Congratulations to Dr Ronan Foley on his retirement and Emeritus Professor appointment Thank you for your remarkable contributions to Health Geography and the MU community Maynooth University campus has received the Green Flag award from An Taisce for a public green space retaining its award for the sixth consecutive year The University campus has also retained its Green Heritage Flag for the fourth consecutive year was “highly commended” for its biodiversity on campus In total, 120 public green spaces received awards in the programme managed by An Taisce Environment Education which celebrates the recognition of Ireland’s best parks and green spaces shared by Saint Patrick's Pontifical University is part of a global community of well managed parks and green spaces. The award acknowledges excellence in the management of those green spaces greenways and wildlife sanctuaries around the country Ireland leads the way for other EU countries with the largest quota out of a total of 174 EU Green Flag Award sites being located here in 2024 Ireland is also among the leaders in parks and public gardens with more Green Flag Awards received than by any country other than the UK where the scheme originated in 1996 The Green Flag Award is the international quality benchmark for the public green space sector now operating in 19 countries around the world the Green Flag programme uses eight key criteria with an emphasis on environmental management All sites implement a management framework and then undergo an annual inspection conducted by qualified judges thanked all of those who those who helped and supported the Grounds Team in retaining these awards for another year “We are honoured to retain the Green Flag Award and the Green Heritage Flag at Maynooth University highlighting our ongoing commitment to sustainability and care for our campus environment Our green spaces are a real source of pride for our community and reflect the hard work and dedication of our Grounds Team and the Maynooth Green Campus initiative," she said "This recognition encourages us to keep building on our efforts to support biodiversity and sustainable practices across our campus as we look towards a greener future that benefits both our community and the wider environment.” Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD recently opened his Department’s All Staff meeting at Maynooth University More than 200 Department staff from their three offices in Offaly and Dublin came together for a number of talks at the university under the theme of Social Cohesion who was welcomed to the Kildare campus by University President Professor Eeva Leinonen I was very happy to be here at Maynooth University a place that holds great significance not just for its academic excellence I was pleased to return to the campus I know so well as both my wife and my daughter are graduates of the university "I want to extend my thanks to the President of Maynooth University all the staff involved in organising this meeting and to my Department’s staff for making me feel so welcome I’m incredibly excited about this new role leading the Department and I’m eager to begin working with my officials as we drive a range of important policies forward.” is to empower people and create opportunities for everyone We are making education more accessible and ensuring lifelong learning is an option for all we were not just in Maynooth to reflect on what has been achieved but to focus on the future and the important work we still have ahead of us It’s about building a more inclusive society through education and where social cohesion is at the heart of everything we do." said: "It was an honour to welcome Minister for Further and Higher Education Innovation and Science James Lawless to Maynooth University in what was his first week as Minister We look forward to working with Minister Lawless to support and collaborate on our shared vision to enhance education and research in Ireland's third level sector." While multidisciplinary submissions that align with the overarching conference focus are particularly welcome symposia and roundtable proposals on a wide range of criminological themes.  Both the PhD training day and the main conference will be located in the TSI building in the North Campus of Maynooth University.  Further details on speakers, travel and accommodation are available on the conference website. Please note that there will be no fee for conference registration. Any queries can be directed to [email protected] To submit an abstract for consideration or find out more details, click here Prof Karen Desmond an internationally recognised scholar in medieval musicology delivered her inaugural lecture at Maynooth University titled "Medieval Parchment Fragments and Musical Reconstruction: Building New Histories of Music for the Later Middle Ages."   The event, held in Renehan Hall on Tuesday, 19 November, marked an important milestone for Professor Desmond, who joined the Department of Music and Faculty of Arts and Humanities in 2023 from Brandeis University in Massachusetts The project investigates the social and cultural contexts of medieval music writing drawing on sources from Ireland and Britain and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and digital methodologies.  “I am delighted to deliver this lecture today and introduce my research to our community The discipline and methods of historical study can elevate lost voices of the past – the voices of those busy and active musicians and scribes who carefully left their mark on the world and whose work as musicians and documentarians was central and important to the communities in which they lived," Prof Desmond said "BROKENSONG not only reconstructs lost melodic lines within individual compositions but also makes progress towards reconstructing lost musical cultures and makes new connections to the humans involved in music making and creative practice from over eight hundred years ago.”   The event began with welcome remarks from Prof Eeva Leinonen President of Maynooth University who highlighted the significance of inaugural lectures in the university’s academic tradition:   serves as a platform to showcase academic achievement foster dialogue within both the academic and broader community and offer newly appointed professors an opportunity to share their scholarly vision They are an important event for both the individual and our institution highlighting the expertise and intellectual contributions that strengthen our university Prof Desmond is an exemplary member of our community and her research embodies our commitment to scholarship that both honours and reimagines our heritage,” she said Prof Desmond’s contributions to the field of musicology have been widely recognised 1300-1350: The Ars Nova in Theory and Practice (Cambridge University Press received the American Musicological Society’s prestigious Lewis Lockwood Award in 2019 for outstanding scholarship she has secured several other major grants and fellowships including three awards from the US National Endowment for the Humanities Maynooth University welcomes the news that Ireland’s application to join the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) has been accepted in principle This important decision represents a transformative step for Irish science unlocking unparalleled opportunities for students MU has established a longstanding and active partnership with CERN through pioneering particle physics research Associate membership presents an exciting opportunity to deepen these collaborations further enabling the University to contribute even more significantly to global scientific advancements and discoveries The University is particularly proud of its involvement in CERN’s highly regarded Summer Studentship Programme a final-year student in Theoretical Physics and Pure Mathematics Oisín had the privilege of living and studying alongside other top young physicists from around the world at CERN This unique experience allowed him to engage with some of the brightest minds in the field MU’s Vice President of Research and Innovation, Prof Rachel Msetfi said: “This is an exciting development for science students and researchers in Ireland Membership will ensure that many more Maynooth students have the chance to participate in such life-changing experiences enriching their education and inspiring the next generation of scientific leaders.” Dr Jon-Ivar Skullerud, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at MU commented: “Maynooth University strongly welcomes the news that Ireland’s application to join CERN as an associate member has been accepted in principle The University already has strong links to CERN through particle physics research We look forward to the opportunity to strengthen these links further.” The UK Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston visited Maynooth University on Monday where he met with staff and students and attended a speaking engagement on the priorities of the new UK government President of Maynooth University, Professor Eeva Leinonen and Dr Mary Canning, Chairperson of the Governing Authority welcomed the Ambassador and his wife Mrs Nicola Johnston “Security and justice are global concerns; they do not affect only those countries or regions immediately impacted Insecurity undermines our prosperity - with global conflicts costing an estimated €913 billion to the worldwide economy last year,” the Ambassador said Prof Leinonen said: “Ambassador Johnston’s visit to Maynooth University offered a unique opportunity for our students and staff to engage with critical perspectives on international relations and policy events like this enable our university community to consider diverse viewpoints and the pressing challenges facing our interconnected world It has been a very successful year so far for the MU Soccer Club All six of the Intervarsity squads reached the semi-final stage in their respective Colleges & Universities Football League (CUFL) with three squads reaching the final - played in the Athlone Town Stadium