Over 45,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy meaning it is one of the most common neurological conditions in the country, while over 50 million people live with epilepsy worldwide.
In this Disability Matters episode, John Comiskey speaks with Patrick McGeoghegan, Advocacy and Communications Manager at Epilepsy Ireland about the realities of living with epilepsy, busting common myths, and the work his organisation is doing to support people across Ireland.
“There’s this perception that epilepsy is rare — I’m here to say nothing could be further from the truth,” says Patrick McGeoghegan.
Epilepsy, as Patrick explains, is a neurological condition characterised by a tendency to experience repeated seizures. These seizures can take many forms — not just the dramatic “falling and shaking” stereotype. Some may involve subtle behavioural changes like lip-smacking or clothing adjustments, and unfortunately, individuals are sometimes misjudged as intoxicated or unwell in public.
“Think of it like a computer crashing and rebooting. That’s your brain during a seizure — it needs time, care, and support to come back online.”
Responding to Seizures: Time. Safe. Stay.
Epilepsy Ireland’s core public awareness campaign, Time Safe Stay, teaches people how to respond if they witness a seizure:
- Time the seizure.
- Keep the person Safe.
- Stay with them until they recover or emergency services arrive.
One major myth they’re keen to dispel? “Never put anything in a person’s mouth during a seizure,” Patrick emphasizes. “And never try to restrain them. You could cause more harm than good.”
Diagnosis, Triggers, and Treatment
Getting an epilepsy diagnosis isn’t always straightforward. Around 50% of people never discover the cause, and while genetics and brain injuries can be factors, epilepsy can develop at any point in life.
Treatments are usually through anti-seizure medications, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. For some, it takes years to find the right balance between seizure control and manageable side effects.
“Even when someone becomes seizure-free, it doesn’t mean the journey was easy. It can be full of trial, error, and uncertainty.”
Living with Epilepsy
Patrick offers realistic but hopeful advice for people newly diagnosed, and for parents of children with epilepsy. The key message? You are not alone.
Epilepsy Ireland supports people through:
- Personalised information and non-medical advice
- School talks and teacher training
- Peer connection for young people via youth resource officers
- Campaigns for better access to free travel and medical supports
Advocacy & Awareness
With 20,000 contacts each year, Epilepsy Ireland’s small but dedicated team delivers:
- Awareness campaigns during National Epilepsy Week
- Professional training on administering emergency medication
- Advocacy efforts to get epilepsy added to Ireland’s Chronic Disease Management programme
- Investments in research to improve future treatments
“We’ve invested over €1.5 million in research since 2009 — and we always ask the community what matters most to them before funding projects.”
How You Can Help
As a charity, Epilepsy Ireland relies on fundraising to bridge the gap between their public funding and the growing demand for support. Whether it’s a coffee morning, a 10K run, or joining the Women’s Mini Marathon — every contribution matters.
📞 Contact: 01 455 7500
🌐 Website: www.epilepsy.ie
📧 Email: info@epilepsy.ie
📱 Socials: @EpilepsyIreland on all platforms
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed, Patrick urges:
“Reach out. We’re here to help. And you can live a full life with epilepsy.”