Waterford-based trauma surgeon to share rare insight into work in volatile conflict zones

World-renowned, Waterford-based surgeon Dr Morgan McMonagle is to close the South East Science Festival with a talk on his work in conflict zones.

At the event in the auditorium at SETU on the Cork Road on November 18, at 7:30pm, Dr McMonagle will discuss his work in Gaza from which he has just returned.

South East Science Festival spokesperson Eoin Gill said the event will give the public a rare, first-hand insight into life as a trauma surgeon in many of the world’s most volatile war zones and the added pressure that brings.

“Morgan McMonagle studied medicine at UCD and also trained in Australia, the US and the UK. 

"He has used his skills in conflict zones, recently receiving widespread media attention around his several missions in Gaza. 

"We’re honoured and privileged to have him as our final speaker on this year’s Festival programme.

“Shortly after qualification, he moved to Australia, working in helicopter rescue environments. 

"Following this, he trained in general and vascular surgery in the UK, where he operated on many young soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with gunshot and shrapnel injuries.

“Since moving to Waterford, he has served in the West Bank, Ukraine, Lebanon and several recent missions to Gaza. 

"On one occasion, the hospital he was working in was bombed. 

"Because journalists were not allowed into the conflict zone, the accounts of humanitarians like Morgan became very important and received widespread international attention.

“We’re honoured that he is part of the South East Science Festival programme and we could think of no better speaker to have to close what has been a phenomenal festival this year with an estimated 6,000 people attending events across three counties,” said Mr Gill.

The event is free, but booking is essential.

The South East Science Festival programme for 2025 ran from November 8 and is funded by Research Ireland and run locally by CALMAST, the South East Technological University’s STEM engagement centre.

Science Week events have been taking place across pubs, restaurants, libraries, theatres, schools and community hubs across Waterford city and county, Clonmel and Carlow.

Organisers say attendance was significantly up on last year.