About Us

The Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience (IICN) aims to promote the academic clinical neurosciences in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. This objective is pursued by supporting educational initiatives and by advancing research in neuroscience.

A number of academic meetings are organised by the Institute each year, at which neuroscientists, trainees in neuroscience and the wider medical community may learn about new research and developments. The Institute also facilitates and publicises local and international neuroscience meetings.

The Institute promotes and encourages research in neuroscience in Ireland. Research is supported through IICN Research Awards which offers Grant funding to successful applicants following open competition and peer review of applications. In addition, the IICN publicises the avenues through which research funding may be accessed. The Institute welcomes the assistance of corporations and individuals who wish to donate or raise funds for neuroscience research. Interested parties may contact the IICN by telephone at +353 61 622652 or by email at info@iicn.ie

The Institute supports policy initiatives to improve the provision of neurological services in Ireland and works with the Department of Health, Health Service Executive and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland to advance and develop services. 

Early History

The Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience (IICN), was established in 1984, then being known as the Richmond Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The objectives of the Institute were the ‘teaching and education of persons in the knowledge of, promotion and organisation of research into the diagnosis and treatment of Neurological and Neurosurgical disorders in Ireland’. Membership was restricted to those who practice in the Neurosciences disciplines, and were associated with Saint Lawrences Hospital Dublin or Beaumont Hospital (the latter being at the early stages of construction).

Changes and expansion

A number of separate revisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Institute were passed by the Membership over the succeeding 32 years. The Institute first became known as the Irish Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, and in 2003, as the Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience. Membership was widened to include neuroscientists working in centres throughout Ireland, North and South, and in other countries, and senior trainees in neuroscience. The name of the Institute now reflects the involvement of the many disciplines in neuroscience, supporting the Institute’s aims of promoting research and education. The decision by the Irish Neurological Association (INA) in 2002 to join with the IICN over a trial period of three years, and the subsequent decision to permanently amalgamate with the IICN, has notably strengthened the Institute in it’s objective of furthering Neuroscience in Ireland.

Research Objective

The IICN offers grants supporting original research in neuroscience in Ireland. Applications for funding are invited as funding becomes available. The quality of applications for Grants has been extremely high as confirmed by expert external peer reviewers, and the successful applicants are conducting important research in diverse areas of neuroscience. The Institute deeply appreciates the support of donors in providing finance for research in neuroscience and especially the support of the Irish Brain Research Foundation which raised funds for neuroscience until its closure in 2004.

Education Objective

The Institute’s other primary objective, Education in Neuroscience, has been advanced by hosting neuroscience meetings.

• The longest standing of these meetings is the INA Meeting, which will hold its 53rd Annual Meeting in Dublin in 2017 under the presidency of Dr. Janice Redmond. This meeting continues to provide an important opportunity for neuroscientists in training to present their work conducted in the clinical setting, to an audience offering constructive criticism and comment.
• The Diaspora meeting, which was the brainchild of Dr. Orla Hardiman, provided a forum for Irish neuroscientists working abroad to present their research interests and to establish collaborations with those in posts in Ireland. This meeting ran for a number of years on an occasional basis and was of great importance in highlighting the achievements of Irish neuroscientists in centres of excellence around the world.
• The Neurology Update Meeting was conceived by Dr. Norman Delanty as an approach to enhancing knowledge of advances and changes in practice for physicians treating neurological conditions who have not specialised in neurology. The 15th Annual Neurology Update Meeting was held in Dublin under the directorship of Dr. Ronan Kilbride in October 2016. It was attended by physicians, neurologists, geriatricians, general practitioners, and trainees.
• The Registrar’s Prize in Clinical  Neuroscience meeting has continued to grow in size and in the quality of presentations at the meeting. Currently the meeting is directed by Dr. John McHugh. Awards are made in two categories at this meeting, in original research and in the case report category. This meeting is held in November each year.

The IICN is a limited company registered with the Companies Registration Office, company registration number 103630, and has charitable status with the Revenue Commission CHY Number 6645. It is also a charity and is registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority.
The registered office of the IICN is at 7a Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin

Governance and Management

The Board of the IICN, which is elected by the membership yearly at the Annual General Meeting, directs the activities of the Institute. There are currently 9 members of the Board of Directors
Dr. Janice Redmond is Chairperson of the Board (Dean), Dr. John McHugh is Vice Chairperson, Dr. Joan Moroney is Secretary and Dr. Brian Sweeney is Treasurer.
The Institute Manager, Ms. Colette Fitzpatrick, organises the day to day management of the Institute.

The IICN Board meets approximately every 6 – 8 weeks.

The Institute invites feedback from members and engagement with the wider medical community. Please contact the IICN at info@iicn.ie with any comments or suggestions.

The Annual General Meeting of the Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience took place on Saturday, December 10th in the Pembroke room, Merrion Hotel, Dublin 4.

Dr. Peter Boers, Treasurer of the IICN presented the 2015 Financial Accounts

The Dean presented his report of the highlights of the year’s activities during 2016, please click the link to follow to view the report. Dean’s Report 2016

Ms. Fitzpatrick presented the Management Report, highlighting the contribution of many members who directed meetings, adjudicated prizes, reviewed grant applications and represented Irish neuroscience on national and international bodies and organisations, in addition to members of the Board who directed the activities of the IICN

A Special Resolution was put to the meeting, to approve the changes to the governing document of the IICN from the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the IICN to the new Company Constitution of the Irish Institution of Clinical Neuroscience. The new document had been drafted by the IICN solicitor on instructions from the IICN Board, to conform with the 2014 Companies Act. The Constitution had been presented to Revenue and approved. The Special Resolution was proposed by Dr. Christopher McGuigan and seconded by Dr. Janice Redmond and was passed unanimously by the meeting. The Constitution will now be filed with the Companies Registration Office, the Charities Regulatory Authority and Revenue.

The meeting considered resignation of existing directors fro the Board and proposal of new directors. The following directors agreed to continue in position until the next AGM: Dr. Christopher McGuigan, Dr. Janice Redmond, Dr. Peter Boers, Dr. Mark Delargy, Dr. Joan Moroney, Dr. John McHugh and Dr. Raeburn Forbes. They were all deemed to be re-elected. The following directors resigned from the Board: Dr. Eavan McGovern and Dr. Una Fitzgerald.  Dr. Eimer Maloney and Dr. Richard Reilly were nominated and elected to the Board of Directors.
Dr. McGovern informed the Board that Dr. Hugh Kearney had agreed to be nominated as EAN junior delegate, with Dr. Laura Williams to succeed him next year.

The Dean invited expressions of interest in participation on a new Advance Healthcare Directive Sub Group which the HSE will convene in early 2017 and Dr. Mark Delargy was nominated as IICN representative.

The Dean thanked the retiring Board of Directors and especially Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. McGovern who had resigned. He also thanked all those attending the meeting and fixed the date of the first Board meeting of 2017 as Monday, 16th January with the 2017 AGM to take place on Saturday, June 17th.