1) The Fureys are relaunching their song Our Games on Friday, April 26th. Proceeds from downloads will go to CMRF Crumlin, which raises funds for Crumlin Children's Hospital and the National Children's Research Centre. Former RTÉ sports presenter, the late Brendan O'Reilly, wrote the song back in 1991 and asked the Fureys if they would record it. They sang it in Croke Park at half-time during that year's All Ireland football final between Down and Meath.
2) Ivor and Ronan Browne are giving an afternoon talk, Music and Madness, at Blanchardstown Library, Dublin on Friday, April 26th at 2pm. This talk is part of a year-long series of concerts and presentations in honour of Séamus Ennis and curated by piper Ronan Browne. Places can be reserved (free) at eventbrite.ie.
3) The pharmacy regulator is inviting the public to apply for its disciplinary committee panel. It will be used to fill vacancies that arise over the next few years on the committees, which make decisions on the complaints that the PSI receives about pharmacists and pharmacies. Applications are invited from pharmacists and members of the public with an interest in public protection and patient safety. No particular qualification is required as training will be provided for all new members. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday, April 26th. More details at psi.ie.
4) Registrations are now open for Cycle Against Suicide's annual cycle, which takes place from April 27th to May 6th (going from Westmanstown, Dublin,Tullamore, Nenagh, Limerick, Listowel, Killarney, Mallow, Cashel, Kilkenny, Kildare, Dublin). Cycle Against Suicide is an initiative to raise awareness of the help and support networks that are available to people across Ireland that are battling depression, self-harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide. To register your support or for more information on the Cycle Against Suicide #itsOKNotToFeelOK Challenge, visit cycleagainstsuicide.com.
5) As part of Trinity Week, "Clown Around" will be held in the Round Room of the Global Brain Institute at Trinity College, Dublin. Therapeutic clowning is about experiencing clown techniques from the circus and theatre world, with the aim of improving health and well being. The event (or perhaps better called an experience!) takes place at 2pm-3pm on Monday, April 29th. While free to attend, booking is required. See tcd.ie/trinityweek.
6) Exit Wounds conference, organised by barrister Doireann O'Mahony, will take place on Wednesday, May 1st at 1.30pm-5.30pm at the King's Inns, Dublin 1. The event will hear from medical experts on maternal urological injuries and anal sphincter injuries in childbirth. Proceeds will go to Nurture Health, a service providing counselling and support surrounding conception, pregnancy, childbirth and other related difficulties to women and their partners. Tickets are available for €150. For details, contact doireannomahony@gmail.com.
7) On Tuesday, May 14th, ME Advocates Ireland (MEAI) will host a third Dublin ME Awareness event in front of Leinster House, Kildare St, Dublin 2, at 11.30am-2.30pm to highlight the lack of appropriate medical and support services. This year's event takes on the theme of invisibility and a new name – Call 4 Change 4 ME.
8) Cork charity Ag Éisteacht is running a second Able brief intervention training course in Cork this May for practitioners working in health, social care and community settings. Able (adopt a relational approach, build, listen and empower) training provides a framework and builds skills to help practitioners to engage with, "listen to understand" and empower patients/clients by embedding a relational approach into their practice. The training is approved for CPD purposes by Social Care Ireland, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, the Irish Association of Social Workers, the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Department of Education. The three-day course takes place on May 14th, 28th and 29th at Northridge House Education Centre, Castle Road, Mahon, Cork. Tickets €250-€300, via Eventbrite or 021-453 6556.
9) The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick is hosting Music Therapy and Pain Medicine: Special Event with Dr Joanne Loewy at the Tower Theatre, University of Limerick, on Wednesday, May 15th. Dr Loewy researches pain, sedation, assessment, asthma and NICU music therapy. The event will run at 10am- 5pm and tickets are €50 (€10 student/unwaged/Chronic Pain Ireland member). Register at eventbrite.ie.
10) About 10,000 people will descend on Cork city on the June bank holiday weekend to take part in the annual Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon. Race organisers are encouraging individuals of all fitness levels and running ability to step up this year. Apart from the full marathon (€65) on Saturday, June 2nd, there is also a half-marathon (€42), relay (€97) and youth challenge. Register at corkcitymarathon.ie
11) Tallaght University Hospital's schedule for its spring/summer series of community health talks Let's Talk Health – run in partnership with the Patient Community Advisory Council – cover a wide range of health issues:
Thursday, April 25th – Stroke: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Speaker: Prof Rónán Collins, director of stroke services. Location: Kilnamanagh Family Recreation Centre at 11am.
Wednesday, May 15th – Men's Health: Looking Under the Bonnet. Speaker: Mr Rob Flynn, consultant urologist. Location: Firhouse Community and Leisure Centre at 6.15pm.
12) The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) human milk bank located at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen is asking more new mothers to donate breast milk as stocks are low. "We are encouraging new mothers to help with the increase in demand for breast milk and to ensure we have an adequate supply for neonatal units across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland," says Jacinta Boyle, co-ordinator of the Western Trust milk bank. If you would like to find out more about the milk bank and becoming a donor, contact the milk bank on 028-686 28333 or email TMB.SWAH@westerntrust.hscni.net
For inclusion email health@irishtimes.com with Health Board in the subject line
