My Moving Brain: M'Inchinn Gluiseachta
Promoting Brain Health & Wellness Through Inclusive Sport
My Moving Brain is our FutureNeuro community-driven engagement initiative funded by Research Ireland that aims to raise awareness of brain health and wellness while promoting inclusivity in sport for individuals impacted by brain conditions across Ireland.
About My Moving Brain
My Moving Brain is a series of community connect events that will open up conversations around brain health and wellness and explore barriers that may prevent people living with brain conditions from participating in sports.
By bringing together individuals, families, caregivers, local sports clubs, coaches, teachers, patient advocacy organisations, clinicians, researchers and the wider public, we hope to identify these barriers and identify ways to increase participation and engagement of people with brain conditions in sport and physical activity. Our ultimate goal is to create inclusive sporting opportunities where everyone can experience the enjoyment and benefits that being active can bring.
In partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) Sports Partnership, Epilepsy Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), we are dedicated to ensuring that sport is for everyone.
Meet the Team
Our passionate team is composed of experts in brain research, sports inclusion, and patient advocacy. Their knowledge and experience are vital to the design and delivery of our community connect events.
Bridget Doyle
Bridget is the Centre Manager for FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science. She heads up the busy Operations team to support all aspects of running a research centre across eight universities and a national clinical network. Previously Bridget worked in community development, working with statutory, NGOs, voluntary and community groups to develop and deliver community-based support for people with dementia and their families. Outside of work, Bridget enjoys road biking in the Wicklow mountains.
Claire Behan
Claire is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in adult epilepsy with a background in Intensive Care nursing. She joined the epilepsy team at St. James' Hospital, where she played a key role in developing it into a regional service. Passionate about improving patient care, her research focuses on epilepsy biomarkers. Outside of work, Claire has completed several marathons and triathlons and prioritises incorporating exercise into family life alongside her husband and four active children.
Daniel Costello
Daniel is a Neurologist at Cork University Hospital and University College Cork with a special focus on epilepsy. After training in Ireland and Boston, he established an epilepsy service at Cork University Hospital, which includes a first seizure clinic, an epilepsy monitoring unit, and a surgical program linked to Beaumont Hospital. His research spans epilepsy epidemiology, genetics, and seizure mimics. A former President of the Irish Chapter of the ILAE, Daniel is also a funded investigator with FutureNeuro. Outside work, he enjoys sports, particularly hurling, and farming.
Gwen O’Looney
Gwen has been working in the sports and leisure industry for over 28 years and began her current role as Acting Sports Inclusion Disability Officer with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership in December 2022. She now collaborates with a range of partner organisations, schools, local groups and services and individuals to increase participation in sport and physical activity for people with a disability in the County.
Kinta Oakes
Kinta is a parent of three adult children, one of whom has complex special needs, including epilepsy, Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), and Cerebral Palsy. For 27 years, she has been a dedicated advocate for her son, actively involved in various sports and Bray Lakers Social and Recreational Club, as well as an assistant volunteer for swimming. A landscape architect, she runs a practice with her husband, Peter, specialising in accessibility projects. Kinta also enjoys travel, hillwalking, and gardening.
Lyndsey Butterworth
Education and Public Engagement Lead at FutureNeuro, Lyndsey plays a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of engaged research to change the patient journey for those living with neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. Outside of work, she enjoys the social aspects of participating in sport, including running with friends and learning boxing skills.
Magdalen Rogers
Magdalen is the Executive Director of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), the national umbrella organisation for neurological charities. In her role, she leads the organisation's advocacy efforts, representing NAI members on key service delivery and policy platforms. She also oversees the design and execution of impactful campaigns, prepares reports and submissions, and manages all aspects of governance and administration. With a background at the Health Research Board, Magdalen has been a driving force at NAI since 2003, dedicated to improving services and support for people with neurological conditions.
Omar Mamad
Omar is a Lecturer in Medical Physics at RCSI, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. His research uses preclinical models, genetic tools, electrophysiology, and imaging to advance technologies for correcting brain dysfunction. Omar leads a growing research group supported by competitive grants and industry collaborations. A recipient of the US Loulou Foundation Junior Fellowship Award, he is passionate about mentoring students and involving patients in research. Outside work, Omar enjoys playing Australian football and promoting active lifestyles.
Paddy McGeoghegan
Paddy is the Advocacy and Communications Manager at Epilepsy Ireland, where he leads campaigns aimed at improving the lives of people with epilepsy by driving public policy changes and raising awareness of the condition. On a lighter note, Paddy’s love for sports is evident in his wardrobe choices during internal calls—he’s often seen sporting a Donegal GAA jersey, an Irish rugby jersey, or a Liverpool FC shirt, making his allegiances crystal clear to his colleagues!
Tara Smith
Tara is the Director of Services at Epilepsy Ireland, overseeing the delivery of services across the organisation. She manages a dedicated team, including 11 Community Resource Officers, a Youth Resource Officer, and a National Information Officer. Through her work, Tara has witnessed firsthand how epilepsy is sometimes mistakenly viewed as a barrier to participating in sports—an issue that can often be addressed through information and education. Tara enjoys leisurely walks, and thanks to Paddy, she’s always well-informed about the latest from Donegal, Ireland, and Liverpool!
Community Connect Events
My Moving Brain is an inclusive, community-driven initiative for everyone—whether you’re an individual or family living with a brain condition, a sports coach, volunteer, member of a sports club, teacher, patient organization representative, or simply interested in brain health and wellness.
What to Expect
At our events, you’ll hear from inspirational speakers and engage with an expert panel to explore key topics around brain health and sports inclusion. You’ll also discover FutureNeuro’s brain research through interactive science activities and participate in ‘come and try’ sports sessions led by local clubs, with activities suited to all ages and abilities.
Join Us
Be part of a day filled with fun, learning, and meaningful connections. Help drive conversations that make a difference for individuals and families with brain conditions across Ireland. Events will be held in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford, and Maynooth.
Upcoming Event
📍 Dublin, Blackrock College: 16th November 2024 – 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM. Register here.
Topics Include:
- Navigating sport and exercise with a brain condition – A neurologist’s perspective
- Competing internationally with a neurological condition
- Practical aspects of playing sport with a neurological condition
- How exercise can help manage brain conditions
- Community resources for coaches and families
Activities:
- Science engagement by FutureNeuro’s Cell Explorers: hands-on activities such as DNA extractions, pipetting rainbows, DNA modeling, and exploring brain waves.
- Inclusive sports sessions, including rugby, tennis, archery, and frisbee, suitable for all ages and abilities.
- Arts and crafts for children and families.
Get Involved
Want to help co-create a more inclusive sports culture? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Complete our Community Scoping Survey – We’re seeking input from people living with brain conditions, as well as sports coaches and volunteers, to share their experiences and views on sport participation and inclusion. Your insights will help shape key messages that address the unmet needs of the community. Click here to access the survey.
- Join a Focus Group – Interested in contributing to the co-creation of My Moving Brain? Sign up for an online focus group by emailing lyndseybutterworth@rcsi.ie.
- Join Our Community Connect Events – Register for an upcoming event and be part of the conversation.
- Become a My Moving Brain Advocate – Help organise our community events and spread the word in your local area. Download our event flyer and promotional pack to get started.
Latest News
Announcing the First Community Connect Event
We’re excited to announce the first My Moving Brain Community Connect Event, taking place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 1:30 PM at Blackrock College. This event is open to individuals and families living with brain conditions, sports coaches, club leaders, teachers, researchers, patient advocates, and anyone interested in brain health and wellness. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.
Unveiling the My Moving Brain Logo
We are thrilled to announce the official unveiling of the logo for My Moving Brain, our community engagement initiative aimed at promoting brain health awareness and inclusivity in sport. A huge thank you to our talented researcher Sophia Heneghan for providing the initial inspiration that guided this design.
Inaugural Steering Group Meeting
Today we had the pleasure of holding the inaugural Steering Group Meeting for My Moving Brain, our flagship initiative focused on raising awareness of brain health and promoting inclusivity in sports for individuals with neurological conditions. We are excited to welcome our dedicated committee members as we embark on this important journey together.
Partners
We proudly work alongside our eight academic partner institutions, as well as key project collaborators and supporters to ensure the success of My Moving Brain.
