Epilepsy Ireland

03/06/2026

It is so important that people living with epilepsy and their loved ones are aware of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).

While the exact reason why SUDEP happens is still unknown, research points to several factors that can potentially increase a person's risk of SUDEP. Being aware of these risks and how to potentially reduce them is vital information to know.

Please take a moment to visit our website in the link in the comments below to become SUDEP aware.

02/06/2026

If you are the parent or the guardian of a child who has recently received a diagnosis of epilepsy, join us this month for our Epilepsy Education Session for Parents and Guardians. Find out more through the link to our website below.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child that has been newly diagnosed with epilepsy, this event is for you.

01/06/2026

Listen to our song Time, Safe, Stay to make sure you remember how to respond to a seizure. While you’re here make sure you like and share this post so others can learn about seizure first aid. Visit our website at the link in the comments below to learn more.

31/05/2026

Today, we have over seventy incredible supporters taking part in the VHI Women's Mini Marathon. They are people with epilepsy; family members and friends of people with epilepsy; and others who are running the race in memory of loved ones sadly no longer with us. Many of them are taking part because they have directly benefitted from the support services offered by our team.

No matter their reason for taking part or personal connection to epilepsy or Epilepsy Ireland, we would like to thank each and every one of our supporters for taking on the challenge to raise awareness of a condition that affects over 45,00 people in Ireland and for taking on this challenge to raise funds to hep continue the vital services provide by Epilepsy Ireland across the country.

Best of luck to everyone and we look forward to seeing your pics from the finish line! If you’d like to show your support, you can donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/team/vhiwomenmarathon7435

29/05/2026

Good luck to everyone taking part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for Epilepsy Ireland this weekend! We are so privileged to have you run this race in our name. All funds raised will go towards continuing our vital support for people with epilepsy and their families in Ireland. If you would like to donate, click the link in the comments below.

28/05/2026

Join us on our journey towards a society where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Become a member of Epilepsy Ireland today. More info below 👇

Find out how to become a member of Epilepsy Ireland.

27/05/2026

If you are a young adult living with epilepsy, join us for our Young Adult Meet Up on Monday, 8th June at 7pm.

This event is for people with epilepsy aged 18 - 24 and attendees will be able to to discuss their epilepsy as well as any new challenges that they may be experiencing as a result of young adulthood.

Visit our website by clicking the link in the comments below to read more about the event and to register.

26/05/2026

We hope that everyone has been enjoying the beautiful weather over the last number of days. With the settled spell set to continue into tomorrow we wanted to remind people with epilepsy and their families of a few tips to bear in mind during this sunny period.⁠

Visit our website through the link in the comments below to read more.

25/05/2026

Can you help Eimear McManus with her ongoing research? Her study focuses on medication-related care in hospital outpatient services and is in collaboration with UCC School of Pharmacy.

The study wants to explore how medicines are discussed, reviewed, or considered during appointments – as well as how people feel about how this care is delivered. If you think you could help Eimear with her research, click the link in the comments below to find out more.

22/05/2026

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐲, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐲...

I was diagnosed at 15 with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. My seizures include loss of consciousness with falls and muscle jerks, brief lapses in awareness, and involuntary muscle twitching.

After trying several medications, I found one that worked and was seizure-free for many years, which gave me confidence and a sense of normality. However, as I got older and started a family, my epilepsy changed. Treatments that were once effective became less reliable, and I began experiencing seizures again, impacting my daily life and routines.

I am currently working with my neurology team to find a treatment that better manages my seizures, and I remain hopeful of regaining stronger control.

Living with epilepsy has taught me to accept uncertainty. The trial-and-error nature of treatment can be challenging, particularly when things change over time.

As a teenager, I hid my diagnosis to avoid feeling different. Now, in my late 30s, I take a more open approach, ensuring those around me understand how to support me. I also engage with Epilepsy Ireland through research participation, sharing patient perspectives with medical professionals, and helping to raise awareness so others better understand the condition and how to respond.

I would encourage people with epilepsy, and their loved ones, to connect with Epilepsy Ireland for trusted information, guidance, and support in navigating the complexities of the condition.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐲, 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 '𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞' 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞.