Women in Connemara are the target group for the first diploma in women's studies to be offered on an Outreach basis by NUI Galway in partnership with Forum, the Connemara rural development organisation. At present 20 women have signed up for the course which aims to equip participants for further education, employment or community work.

The project, funded under the New Opportunities for Women (NOW) programme, is unusual in that it was developed in consultation with women in the area. "Research had indicated that the training programmes and courses available to women in Connemara had not been appropriate in terms of qualifications or suitable in terms of location, time or child care provisions," says NUI Galway press officer Maire Mhic Uidhir.

"The provision of this programme in Recess has highlighted the demand in rural areas for such programmes and it raises key issues about educational provision in the future." Women attending the course will get assistance with travel and child-care expenses.