Groundbreaking Cancer Researchers Honoured at Irish Cancer Society Research Awards 2026
23 February 2026: People involved in ground-breaking research projects around the country were honoured at the Irish Cancer Society Research Awards on Thursday, February 19th at Irish Cancer Society Head Office in Dublin.
Every year, the Irish Cancer Society invests approximately €4 million in innovative cancer research. In 2025, the Society funded 25 new projects and supported over 150 cancer researchers across Ireland.
The event, hosted by the Irish Cancer Society’s Head of Research, Dr Claire Kilty, celebrates some of the amazing work in cancer research being carried out by nominees around Ireland, funded by the Irish Cancer Society.
Among those to claim top honours were Prof Sinead Brennan, Roisin O’Maolalai, Ciaran Malone, Sam Ryan and Jill Nicholson from the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Rathgar, Dublin, who scooped the Irish Cancer Society Clinical and Translational Project of the Year Award.
Their clinical trial, supported through the Irish Cancer Society €1 million euro investment in Cancer Trials Ireland, explored using a new technology called surface-guided radiotherapy to establish whether open-faced masks could safely replace traditional closed masks for patients undergoing radiotherapy, and if this could offer an improved patient experience while maintaining the same level of accuracy provided by closed masks.
Their findings demonstrated that open-faced masks, when used with surface-guided radiotherapy, provide the same level of treatment precision as closed masks, while significantly reducing patient distress.
Welcoming the group’s Clinical and Translational Project of the Year Award, Roisin O’Maolalai, who is the manager of the Irish Research Radiation Oncology Group, said: “Our work shows that it is possible to deliver safe, accurate radiotherapy in a way that is more comfortable, reassuring, and compassionate for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
“Winning an Irish Cancer Society Research Award is an enormous honour. It represents recognition that patient-centred, practice-changing research matters, and that improving how people experience cancer treatment is an important area for research.”
The Survivorship Project of the Year Award went to Dr Brendan Noonan and Professor Jack Gleeson and their team; Anita Cahill (Advanced Nurse Practitioner, CUH), Steph Corkery (Senior Physiotherapist, CUH) and Katie Johnston (Senior Dietitian, CUH & UCC) for the LIAM Mc Trial.
The LIAM Mc Trial pioneering men’s cancer survivorship programme was codesigned with patient representatives to address the unmet needs of cancer survivors. The project focuses men with advanced genitourinary (prostate, bladder, kidney) cancers, who are typically an underserved group.
The Cork University Hospital-based LIAM Mc Trial sees men receive specialist nurse and dietician support weekly, as well as twice-weekly physiotherapy sessions to empower them to maintain physical activity to enhance their quality of life. This is complemented by access to social work and psychological supports to ensure their practical and emotional, as well as physical, needs are met.
The two-year pilot initiative is the result of a €300k funding commitment awarded to University College Cork from the Irish Cancer Society.
Welcoming the Survivorship Project of the Year Award for the LIAM Mc Trial, Prof Jack Gleeson of Cancer Research at University College Cork, who is also an Associate Professor in Medical Oncology, University College Cork, and Consultant Medical Oncologist, Cork University Hospital, said: “This is a fantastic recognition of the hard work and effort everyone involved in the trial has put in to date. Our amazing multidisciplinary team from nursing, physiotherapy, dietetics and research backgrounds have come together to deliver a really meaningful and impactful intervention for our patients. This award showcases the impact survivorship care interventions can have, and highlights these is an important unmet need for patients with cancer diagnoses.”
Congratulating the winners, Irish Cancer Society Head of Research Dr Claire Kilty said: “Cancer research in Ireland has a huge impact on the lives of people affected by cancer. It is a driving force in improving not only treatments and outcomes, but in quality of life beyond cancer. It was fantastic to get an appreciation of the amazing cancer research projects currently happening right across the country at the Irish Cancer Society Research Awards, and to be able to recognise the great strides that are being made in cancer research.
“We are proud to be the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland. However, none of the vital research we fund would be possible without the support of the public, especially on days like Daffodil Day. We would encourage everyone to please get out there and support Daffodil Day in whatever way you can on March 20th.”
Daffodil Day takes place on Friday 20th March. Whether you want to get involved with your school, company, or in your community, there are lots of ways to go all in and support cancer patients across Ireland. Visit cancer.ie to get involved or learn more. Anyone with questions or concerns about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie
For more information or to speak with an Irish Cancer Society representative, please contact communications@irishcancer.ie | 087 645 3867.
Winners List
- Support Staff of the Year Award: Aoife Shannon (Cancer Trials Ireland)
- Translational/Clinical Project of the Year Award: Prof Sinead Brennan, Roisin O’Maolalai, Ciaran Malone, Sam Ryan and Jill Nicholson (St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network)
- Survivorship Project of the Year Award: Dr Brendan Noonan and Professor Jack Gleeson (LIAM Mc Trial)
- Public and Patient Partnership (PPP) Award: Dr Anne-Marie Baird and Seamus Cotter (Lung Health Check)
- PPP Commendations: TSJCI PRG (Grainne Smith) and IMPROVE TMZ (Prof Jack Gleeson)
- PhD Researcher of Year Award: Katie Johnston (UCC & CUH)