News

Getting a clear and timely diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can make a big difference to care, treatment, and peace of mind. To guide this process, doctors around the world use the McDonald criteria – a set of internationally agreed rules first introduced in 2001 and regularly updated as science advances.

In 2024, these criteria were revised again by an international panel of experts, including clinicians, researchers and patient representatives. The goal was to make MS diagnosis more accurate, less invasive, and more accessible worldwide.

MS Ireland proudly welcomed members of the community, supporters, and local stakeholders to its upcoming Limerick Hub for a special preview event held at Springfield, Singland Road on Wednesday, 10th September.

Next Steps with MS is a series of free 1:1 nurse support sessions. These 45-minute Zoom appointments are designed for people who have been diagnosed with MS in the past two years. 

We are delighted to announce that our MS Readathon Ambassador for 2025 is Louise Power. 

Watch the video below to hear why she’s proud to be our 2025 MS Readathon Ambassador.

Meath footballer Cillian O’Sullivan has urged the public to embrace the ‘superpower’ of reading as he backed a major fundraiser for MS Ireland.

The ‘Royals’ forward has been living with the neurological condition, which came as a ‘bolt out of the blue’ in late 2023.

And he told how acknowledging the rollercoaster of emotions through therapy has helped him to manage it.

MS Ireland is holding a public meeting on the 19th September at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo at 11am to discuss the urgent need for a Community Worker in Sligo and Leitrim, the only counties in Ireland without this vital support. 

MS Ireland’s National Conference 2025 — Living with MS: Conversations on Care, Connection and Mental Health — takes place this November in Cork.

MS Ireland is inviting the community to visit its National Centre on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, from 11am to 2pm at 65–67 Bushy Park Road, Dublin 6.

For full details and to register, visit: Renew – A New Vision: Visit MS Ireland’s National Centre

Our latest Living with MS Podcast guest is Hannah Morris-Bankole, who is a new member of the MS Ireland MS & Me Blog team. Hannah is a mum of 6 children living in Galway and currently doing her PhD in psychology. Listen to the episode here or on your favourite podcast platform.

In our A to Z of MS series, Shirley Keane O’Brien takes us to L for Life Coaching: “Me, myself, and MS — how it helped me reclaim my spark.”