School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway

02/06/2026

Beautiful bee orchid ( _Ophrys apifera_ ) outside Environmental Science thanks to reduced mowing strategy on campus.

24/04/2026

A fantastic end to TY Learning Experience Week 2026! University of Galway
Today we wrapped up a really enjoyable Transition Year (TY) Week in the School of Natural Sciences. Over 50 TY students joined us from across Ireland — including Donegal, Limerick, Longford, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Meath and Galway — taking part in 12 workshops and 2 SNS tours throughout the week.
Sincere thanks to all staff and helpers who contributed their time and expertise. A special acknowledgement to the Ideas Lab team (Caoimhe & Naomi), Eileen, our TY team (Liz, Bridget, Lorna and Joan), and our wonderful helpers David, Buddila, Paola and Isuri.
This morning students presented videos they created reflecting on their week, followed by the presentation of certificates — a great celebration of learning, creativity and teamwork.
Well done to everyone involved 👏

07/04/2026

🦕 A Wonderful Plesiosaur Visit at the James Mitchell Geology Museum! 🦕
We were delighted to welcome Dr Sven Sachs to the museum last week for a detailed study of our impressive fossil plesiosaur, mounted high on the northeastern wall of the gallery. Buildings kindly erected a full scaffold for the visit, allowing for safe close up access to this remarkable specimen, a rare opportunity for all of us who work with the collection.
Dr Sachs generously shared his expertise on our marine reptile fossils, offering new insights and highlighting the true diversity and significance of the vertebrate material housed here. Even for those of us who have been involved with the museum for decades, seeing the specimen from such close range was breathtaking. The skeletal detail preserved is extraordinary.
🎥 A short film capturing the visit and the beauty of the fossil is now available here:
https://youtu.be/gdHVMsb2Q-s?si=uJcKSIkuiPicg3Jg
We are grateful for this collaboration and excited about the renewed understanding it brings to one of the museum’s most iconic specimens. A huge thank you to Sven for his time, expertise, and enthusiasm.
Here’s to continued research, discovery, and celebrating the heritage of our geological collections! 🌍✨

On 2nd April 2026, Dr Sven Sachs - an international expert in fossil plesiosaurs and marine reptiles - visited the James Mitchell Geology Museum in Universit...

21/01/2026

🌰 Happy Red Squirrel Appreciation Day! 🐿️❤️
The School of Natural Sciences University of Galway are delighted to announce that the 2026 All Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey has officially launched today!
This all island initiative invites people of all ages to become Citizen Scientists and help track three of Ireland’s most iconic woodland mammals:
Red squirrel
Grey squirrel
Pine marten
Throughout 2026, members of the public are encouraged to record their sightings. Every submission helps researchers build a clearer picture of how these species are distributed and how their populations are changing over time.
The survey is led by researchers at University of Galway, Ulster Wildlife, and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, with support from the National Biodiversity Data Centre (Republic of Ireland) and CEDaR (Northern Ireland).
📍 How to take part:
Simply record your sightings on the online survey forms hosted here:
🌿 www.biodiversityireland.ie
🌿 www2.habitas.org.uk/records
By taking a few moments to share what you see, you’ll be helping to protect Ireland’s woodland wildlife.
Thank you for supporting this important conservation work! 🐾🌳

20/11/2025

Staff and Students from University of Galway BSc Occupational health and Safety Management, MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety programes, attending the Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland (OHSI)/Health and Safety Authority/NISO collaborative workshop on Breathe Freely Ireland program. The program is aimed at preventing occupational Lung disease and protecting worker health. The programme had a strong focus on lung carcinogens such as Asbestos, respirable crystalline silica and also diesel exhaust particulate. Excellent contributions from University of Galway Occupational Health lecturer Victoria Hogan and also MSc student and President of Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland (OHSI) Clare Farrell

04/11/2025

25/10/2025

📚 Standing Room Only at the 2025 William King Annual Lecture!
On Wednesday 22nd October, the Colm O hEocha Theatre at University of Galway was filled to capacity for an unforgettable evening celebrating the legacy of William King and the fascinating story of the Neanderthals.
🎬 The event opened with the premiere of a film highlighting King’s pioneering role in founding paleoanthropology, followed by a moving tribute to the late Professor Mike Williams, whose poem Gibraltar Woman inspired the evening’s theme.
🎖️ The President of the University of Galway, Professor David Burns presented the William King Medal to Professor Clive Finlayson for his exceptional contributions to our understanding of human evolution. Professor Finlayson’s lecture, “Neanderthal: Revisiting the story of a maligned human”, captivated the audience with insights into Neanderthal life, research at Gibraltar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the impact of climate change on their extinction.
💬 His message was clear: Neanderthals were fully human — intelligent, adaptable, and deeply connected to their environment.
🎁 The evening concluded with a heartfelt gesture from Earth & Ocean Sciences students Saoirse Egan and Muhterem Yamansef, who presented Professor Finlayson with a specially inscribed glass tankard in thanks for his journey from Gibraltar to Galway.
Professor Clive Finlayson (Image 1)
President of the University of Galway Professor David Burns and Professor Finlayson with the audience (Image 2)
Medal presentation (Central Image)
Dr John Murray welcoming guests (Image 4)
Student presentation (Image 5)
Image credit: Dr John Murray and Prof Grace McCormack

24/10/2025

🎶 Songs of Travel Research Report Launch 🌍

Exciting news for music lovers and festival organisers!
A multidisciplinary team—including researchers from UnUniversity of Galwayhas contributed to the newly released Songs of Travel Research Report.

The report introduces green commitments—sustainable production guidelines for music festivals—and outlines ways to measure their environmental impact. 🌱🎪

This collaborative work offers practical insights and recommendations to help festivals become more eco-conscious and future-ready.

📘 Read the full report here: https://musicforgalway.ie/sustainability-2/

03/10/2025

🔬 Explore Science That Shapes Our World 🌍

Thinking about your undergraduate options? Come visit the University of Galway Open Days and discover the exciting degrees offered by the School of Natural Sciences

🌱 Environmental Science (GY308)
🌊 Marine Science (GY310)
🦺 Occupational Health & Safety (GY313)
🌍 Earth & Ocean Sciences (GY314)
⚛️ Physics (GY320)
🦉 Zoology (GY323) & 🌿 Botany (via GY301)

📍 Meet our lecturers and students and find your future in science.
📅 We're in the Purple Zone — to-day and tomorrow!

👉 Learn more: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays/

29/08/2025

🌬️ The Air We Share – Panel Discussion 🌍
🗓️ Friday, 29 August
📍 Nun's Island Theatre
🕒 3PM – 5PM
We’re inviting you to The Air We Share, a unique event that brings together artists, scientists, policy makers, and members of the public to talk about how we can create social change for climate.
Whether you're passionate about the environment, interested in influencing policy, or curious about how art and science can work together to inspire change—this is a space for you.
💬 Expect lively discussion, fresh ideas, and a chance to connect with others who care about our shared future.
✨ Free and open to all. Come along, bring a friend, and be part of the conversation!
TheAirWeShare