President Higgins to visIt city for anniversary of Galway scientists achievements

Galway Bay fm newsroom – President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins will visit the city tomorrow (May 24th). He will be attending an event celebrating the achievements of a Galway based scientist. William King, professor of Geology at the then Queens college in Galway, became the first scientist ever to name a new species of human. In 1864, he gave the name ‘Neanderthal' to the race of prehistoric people who disappeared almost 30 thousand years ago. President Michael D. Higgins will be attending a lecture at NUI Galway by Professor Svante Paabo, a specialist in evolutionary genetics. The lecture marks the 150th anniversary of the naming which distinguished Neanderthals from modern humans. During the event, President Higgins will also present Professor Paabo with the William King Medal. The free public talk will take place at 5.30pm tomorrow in the O' Flaherty Theatre in NUI Galway. Registration is required.