🗓 Date: Monday Sept. 29th 2025
📍Venue: Croí House, Moyola Lane, Newcastle, Galway H91FF68
⏰Time: 6pm Reception | 6.45pm Film screening (25 min) & Q & A
FREE EVENT RSVP using the button below.
To mark #WorldHeartDay on Monday September 29th, CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway and Croí, the Heart and Stroke Charity will host a free screening of the latest Science on Screen film, ‘Counter Attack’ at Croí house, in Newcastle, Galway. Directed by Tiernan Williams and produced by Maria O’Neill of Cluster Fox Film, the film explores cardiovascular disease from the patient, researcher, paramedic and family perspective. The film was produced under the Science on Screen Education and Public Engagement Programme, a partnership between CÚRAM and Ardán running since 2015.
The film features Kildare-based musician Frankie Lane, who suffered a heart attack followed by a cardiac arrest, Frankie’s wife Anita Lane and Cork based paramedic Pat McCarthy. The documentary also features CÚRAM’s University of Galway-based researchers, including vascular surgeon Dr. Niamh Hynes who focusses on the body’s largest artery – the aorta. Her research looks at predicting if, and when an aortic rupture will happen and, using AI and machine learning, how we can build computer models or ‘digital twins’ of aortas to understand the rupture process.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with some of the film’s contributors and an audience Q&A.
This World Heart Day – don’t miss a beat: real stories, real science, real lives.
Annie Costelloe, Head of Patient and Community Engagement at Croí, said:
“World Heart Day is about raising awareness of heart health and inspiring action, and this year’s theme, ‘Don’t miss a beat,’ could not be more fitting. Screening ‘Counter Attack’ here at the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre allows us to bring a powerful real-life story to the community, highlighting both the urgency and the hope in tackling heart disease. It is a timely reminder that every beat matters, and that knowledge, support and early action can save lives.”
Doors open at 6pm, with film screening at 6.45pm and link to register for the event is here: https://croi.clr.events/event/138837:counter-attack-
Watch the ‘Counter Attack’ trailer
CÚRAM’s public engagement programme aims to provide opportunities for collaboration with patient or public audiences interested in or affected by its research and a key aspect of the Science on Screen Programme – that is co-managed with Ardán (previously Galway Film Centre) – is the collaboration between filmmakers, researchers and those with lived conditions of chronic illness.
Ardán is a non-profit talent development organisation that supports creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.
Croí is a registered Irish Heart and Stroke Charity. Croí’s mission is to prevent heart disease and stroke, save lives, and empower and support people, families, communities, and future generations to take control of their health and well-being. The Croí Heart & Stroke Centre, is a leading centre for heart and stroke prevention, research, education, support, and rehabilitation located in Newcastle, Galway.
The Science on Screen scheme was founded to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through Science on Screen have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost 2 million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and via online platforms and public exhibits.
2025 marks the 10th year of CÚRAM & Ardán’s Science on Screen programme, and we look forward to celebrating the anniversary of this initiative in Galway later this year.
Find out more about Ardán at www.ardan.ie
Find out more about CÚRAM at www.curamdevices.ie