Welcome to Epilepsy Ireland

Over the years of supporting people with epilepsy and their families, at the turn of the year we often receive calls from people with epilepsy who have had breakthrough seizures over the festive period. This is often because routines have changed dramatically over a short period, or a person is overcome with the stresses that the Christmas period brings – amongst other factors. While it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it’s fair to say that it can often be one of the most stressful as well.

A new research project from Dublin City University (DCU) which aims to develop a seizure-predicting dog collar has received just under half a million euro in funding from the Science Foundation Ireland Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme.

The project is being led by Professor Alan Smeaton and Tomás Ward of Insight DCU and aims to build on previous work on the role dogs can play in detecting seizures, including Epilepsy Ireland funded research by Dr. Neil Powell of Queens University Belfast.

We were delighted to recently join with our colleagues in FutureNeuro for the official launch of the Neuroadapt programme.

This €2m initiative – funded by the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) 2023 COFUND and FutureNeuro – will involve bringing 11 postdoctoral researchers from around the world to Ireland, equipping them with the specialised skills needed to advance research into neurological conditions such as epilepsy.

To raise further awareness of epilepsy in local communities across Ireland – and to help gain public support for our key advocacy priorities – Epilepsy Ireland have written to all current Cathaoirleach (Mayors) of City/County councils, seeking that they submit a motion at upcoming council meetings to show their support for International Epilepsy Day on February 10^th.