February 9th was International Epilepsy Day and we realise that everyone may have been too busy singing our new Time, Safe, Stay song to see and hear some of the other awareness raising pieces that were happening!
Luckily, we were keeping a close eye on all the activities and this article highlights some of what you may have missed!
Time, Safe, Stay – the Song!
Just in case you happened to miss it, the main feature of our activities for International Epilepsy Day was the release of our new song highlighting those key words of Time, Safe, Stay! If you haven’t heard it yet, change that now and be sure to share with family, friends and colleagues so they remember this important message. The song is being promoted through a series of adverts on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok. Also, like every great song, its available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Search Time, Safe, Stay and be sure to add our single to your playlists today!
Today FM, Spotify and Digital Audio adverts!
With our new campaign being heavily reliant on grabbing the ears of Ireland, our campaign is being promoted through adverts on Today FM, Spotify and digital audio – with our Patron Rick O’Shea once again lending his voice to the campaign to encourage listeners to visit our website to learn more! You can listen to the ad in the video below.
Media Coverage
- Irish Independent with Alina
In a three-page spread which contained key information about Time, Safe, Stay, our media volunteer Alina shared her experiences of life with epilepsy to help raise awareness. The feature was also promoted on the front page of the Irish Independent in print, while the online edition of the article also featured a video with St. Vincents Epilepsy Nurse Specialist Sinéad Murphy explaining the key words of Time, Safe, Stay. Thank you, Alina and Sinéad! You can read the article by visiting the Irish Independent website (behind a paywall). - Anton Savage on Newstalk with Katie
Katie, one of the stars of the Brain Doctors documentary series from last year, joined Anton on Newstalk Breakfast to talk about her journey with epilepsy – and how our new song can get stuck in your head. Thank you, Katie! You can listen back by visiting the ‘Newstalk’ website - Irish Examiner with Aisling
In the lead-up to #EpilepsyDay, there was a fantastic feature with our volunteer Aisling about her daughter Bonnie’s diagnosis with epilepsy. Well worth a read, it can be found by visiting the ‘Irish Examiner’ website - Kickstart with Today FM & Ian Dempsey
Our Advocacy and Communications Manager Paddy had the pleasure of kickstarting the nation on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, where they spoke about a very important song with a very important message! Unfortunately, playback link is not available. - Irish Daily Mail with Jessica
In a fantastic personal story, our volunteer Jessica spoke with the Irish Daily Mail about her experiences with epilepsy. You can read by visiting the ‘Daily Mail’ website (paywall) - RTÉ News 2Day
In a brilliant piece, epilepsy warrior Sadie led the awareness raising efforts alongside her fourth-class classmates of St. Brigids Girls National School Killester. It is well worth a few minutes of your time to watch back by visiting the RTÉ website – especially to see the Time, Safe, Stay dance! - Claire Byrne Show Newstalk with Minister Patrick O’Donovan
We were delighted to see Minister Patrick O’Donovan share his experiences of epilepsy with Claire Byrne to help raise awareness on International Epilepsy Day – with his position as a senior Cabinet Minister highlighting how epilepsy does not have to hold you back. Listen back by visiting the ‘Newstalk’ website. - Alive and Kicking Newstalk
Before the day itself, our Advocacy & Communications Manager Paddy spoke to Clare McKenna about Time, Safe, Stay and our new song! You can listen back by visiting the ‘Newstalk’ website - The Irish Sun with Zuzanna
Our volunteer Zuzanna shared her experiences with the Irish Sun to help raise awareness on International Epilepsy. Day. Visit the ‘Irish Sun’ website to read in full (paywall) - KFM with Zuzanna & Paddy
Zuzanna was busy on #EpilepsyDay as she also joined Hannah Kelly on KFM's Kildare today to share her experiences with epilepsy alongside our Advocacy & Communications Manager, Paddy McGeoghegan. You can listen back by visiting the KFM website. - Clare FM with Tommy & Paddy
Tommy took to the airwaves with his local radio station Clare FM, to help raise awareness on International Epilepsy Day, where he was also joined by Paddy. You can listen back by visiting the Clare FM website. - 96FM with Aisling
Having featured in the Irish Examiner previously, Aisling spoke to PJ Coogan on Cork’s 96FM about her experiences with epilepsy through her daughter Bonnie. Visit the ‘Acast’ website to listen back. - Tuam Herald with Rachel
Our volunteer Rachel shared her experiences with epilepsy in an informative feature with the Tuam Herald. Visit the ‘Tuam Herald’ website to read! - Regional Radio Appearances
In the lead up to the day, we also appeared on many key regional and community radio stations – including Galway Bay FM, Midwest Radio, Midlands 103, Southeast Radio, Dundalk FM and many others; with many stations playing our brand new song to help raise awareness!
Other Coverage
- Our campaign was featured on National and regional radio stations across the county – helping amplify our key message. Visit the Tipp Fm website as an example of this in action.
- In the lead up to the day, we also issued specific media statements to each county in Ireland – with many covering the important message of Time, Safe, Stay. Visit the Donegal Daily website as an example of this in action.
- Across their social media channels yesterday, TDs and Senators – including An Taoiseach – shared messages of support for International Epilepsy Day, sharing our song and the key message of Time, Safe, Stay. Thank you to all those who shared.
- Sticking with political developments, Deputy Eoghan Kenny announced the introduction of a Dáil bill to coincide with International Epilepsy Day and inspired by our Seizure Safe Schools campaign. Visit the ‘News’ section of our website to learn more. This development was covered on national & local media. Visit the ‘Irish Mirror’ website to read more.
- Last but not least, on International Epilepsy Day and on the weekend in the lead up to it, our incredible volunteers have helped to raise awareness of epilepsy at our stands at locations across Ireland. Meanwhile, our Community Resource Officers will also busy hosting information events and stands in locations across the country. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help support this new aspect of #EpilepsyDay! A huge thank you as well to everyone who stopped by our stands to learn more about epilepsy and the work of Epilepsy Ireland, and who made a vital donation to help continue this work! A collage of **some** of these events in action is below.
We would like to thank everyone for their support for International Epilepsy Day 2026, especially all those who have shared their lived experience – some of which are not yet featured in the above list.
If you would like to get involved in our awareness raising efforts across the year, please consider becoming a Media Volunteer. You can find more details on this by visiting the ‘Become a Media Volunteer’ page on our website. If you would like to help us continue our awareness raising efforts, support our work by signing up for our March Walking challenge. You can find out more by visiting the 'Fundraising' section of our website.
Thank you again for your support and please continue to encourage family, friends and colleagues to learn more about TIME, SAFE, STAY today and learn our new song by visiting the ‘International Epilepsy Day’ page on our website.
Thank you to....
- The TIME, SAFE, STAY song has been written and performed by Richie Egan and produced by Laudhaus – thank you to everyone involved for their work in developing this single!
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals has provided a hands-off unrestricted grant to help fund the production of our campaign materials for International Epilepsy Day; Jazz have had no involvement or input into any of the content of the campaign. Thank you to Jazz for their support. Find out more about Jazz's support by visiting the 'News' section of our website.
