Galway conference focuses on managing MS symptoms

PEOPLE living with multiple sclerosis, their families, carers, healthcare professionals and experts will all descend on Galway tomorrow (Saturday) as it hosts the MS Ireland National Conference.

More than 11,000 people in Ireland are living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition affecting the central nervous system.

MS Ireland provides information, support and specialist services to people living with MS and their families throughout the country.

Their 2026 conference, entitled “Living Well with MS: Managing Symptoms, Building Communities”, will take place on Saturday, 17 October at the Clayton Hotel Galway.

This year’s programme will explore a wide range of issues that can affect people living with MS, including brain health and ageing, mental health and wellbeing, cognition, nutrition, sexuality and relationships, self-care and support for family carers.

“The conference is really about providing good, high-quality information for the community around managing MS and symptom management, but crucially, it is also a really good opportunity for people to connect,” explained Mary McCusker, National Services Development Coordinator with MS Ireland.

The keynote session, “The Long Game: Brain Health & Ageing in MS”, will be delivered by Consultant Neurologist Dr Andrew Lockhart of University Hospital Limerick. Dr Lockhart has a special interest in MS and his research has examined progressive MS and nerve cell loss.

Mental health will also be an important focus, with Dr Rebecca Maguire, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University, leading a panel discussion on supporting mental health in people with MS.

Dr Maguire is herself living with MS and her research focuses on the impact of chronic illness on individuals and their families.

There will also be a strong Galway connection at the conference. Dr Sinéad Hynes, Associate Professor and Head of Discipline of Occupational Therapy at the University of Galway, will be joined by occupational therapist Hannah Bergin for Targeting Cognition to Improve Daily Life.

“People really value the opportunity to hear information delivered in a way that is easy to understand,” added Ms McKusker.

“It is a really good opportunity to hear about what is happening in the MS space and there is always something you take away from that, giving yourself the space to learn something new that perhaps you weren’t aware of before.”

Ahead of the conference, MS Ireland will host an optional Gala Dinner at the Clayton Hotel on Friday, October 16 October at 7pm.

The event is being supported by MS Ireland’s voluntary branches in the Western region and will provide another opportunity for members of the MS community to meet and connect.