News

Irish 15-year-olds can, on paper, feel reassured. The OECD's latest PISA report was the largest of its kind, covering 91 countries and economies and ranks Ireland first in the EU for reading, third for science and fourth for maths. But sit inside that good news is a warning the report itself doesn't shy away from: globally, reading scores have fallen by 28 points since 2015, the steepest decline of any of the three core skills measured, and the share of "hasty readers", students who rush through a text and guess rather than think, has nearly doubled since 2018.

The MS Ireland National Conference 2026 – Living Well with MS: Managing MS, Building Communities takes place this Saturday, 17 October, at the Clayton Hotel, Galway.

If you can't attend in person, you can still be part of the day! Join us online from 10am as we bring you talks and expert insights on brain health, mental wellbeing, nutrition and cognition.

In this episode of the Living with MS Podcast, we are joined by Deborah Cuddihy, an Irish primary school teacher, children’s author and MS Readathon 2026 Ambassador, who has been living in Dubai since 2016.

The MS Ireland National Conference is coming to Galway this October, bringing together people living with multiple sclerosis, their families, carers, healthcare professionals and experts for a day focused on living well with MS.

The conference, entitled “Living Well with MS: Managing MS, Building Communities”, will take place on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at the Clayton Hotel Galway from 9am to 4.45pm.

The event will feature expert speakers, practical information and opportunities for people affected by MS to meet, share experiences and connect with others.

ECTRIMS Patient Community Day – an online and in-person event hosted by the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and supported by MS Ireland – is your opportunity to join a global community, learn from leading experts and hear about the latest advancements in MS research and care.

MS Ireland has welcomed some of the measures announced in Budget 2027 that will provide additional financial support to people with disabilities and carers, but significant concerns remain about whether the Budget goes far enough to address the ongoing financial pressures and healthcare challenges experienced by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Event Update – Dalkey Abseil Challenge Postponed

The Dalkey Abseil Challenge, originally scheduled for 24 October 2026, has been postponed until further notice.

A new date has not been confirmed. We will update this page if further information becomes available.

For any queries, please contact Melanie at melaniec@ms-society.ie.

MS Ireland is pleased to publish our Annual Report 2025, highlighting our work and impact throughout the year and our continued commitment to supporting people living with MS and their families across Ireland.

Cloyne mum-of-two Violeta Keretic is calling on schools, families and readers across Ireland to pick up a book this November as she takes on the role of MS Readathon Ambassador for 2026, in aid of MS Ireland.

Our latest Living with MS Podcast episode is now available.

In this episode, we speak with Sarah Mather from Kildare, a primary school teacher, mum of two and the 2026 MS Readathon Ambassador.