Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) Conference 2026
Parkinson’s Ireland is delighted to announce the return of our Annual Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) Conference, taking place on Saturday, 28 November 2026.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, we are once again bringing together members of the Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease community from across Ireland for a day of connection, learning, support and shared experiences.
This free event provides an opportunity for people living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, their families and supporters to meet others facing similar challenges, hear from expert speakers, and access information and resources relevant to life with Parkinson’s at a younger age.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026
Time: 10:30am to 4:00pm
Venue: Ashling Hotel, Dublin 8
Cost: Free of Charge
Registration is essential as places are limited.
Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/bUFDxA3XUF
What to Expect
The conference will feature a range of presentations, information sessions and opportunities to connect with others in the Young Onset Parkinson’s community.
| Dr. Annelien Oosterbaan |
| Dr. Annelien Oosterbaan is a Dutch gynaecologist, physician-researcher, and internationally recognised advocate for people living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). Diagnosed with Parkinson’s herself in her thirties, she combines her professional expertise with lived experience to advance understanding of the disease and improve care for those affected. A mother of four, Dr. Oosterbaan is the lead researcher of the Women and Parkinson’s project at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, where her work focuses on the unique experiences of women with Parkinson’s and the biological and social differences between men and women living with the condition. Her research explores topics including hormones, pregnancy, menopause, and the impact of Parkinson’s on younger women. Through her research, speaking engagements, and advocacy, Dr. Oosterbaan is helping to ensure that women’s voices and experiences are better represented in Parkinson’s research, treatment, and care. She is a passionate advocate for greater awareness, improved support, and a future where Parkinson’s can be slowed, stopped, or cured. |
| Dr. Emma O’Shea |
| Dr. Emma O’Shea is a lecturer and researcher at the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork (UCC), and one of Ireland’s leading Parkinson’s disease researchers. Her work focuses on Parkinson’s disease, dementia, rehabilitation, and health service improvement, with a particular emphasis on understanding and addressing the needs of people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Dr. O’Shea led the landmark Mapping Parkinson’s study, which provided the first comprehensive picture of Parkinson’s services in Ireland and helped inform improvements in care, including increased specialist nursing provision. She currently serves as Chair of the Research and Impact Subcommittee of Parkinson’s Ireland and is a co-investigator on the €4 million PD-Life project, Ireland’s first all-island Parkinson’s research hub. She is also the lead researcher on the PD-Mind project, a study exploring the mental health experiences and care needs of people living with Parkinson’s across Ireland. The project, co-funded by Parkinson’s Ireland through the HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme, will examine how mental health symptoms affect quality of life and aims to develop practical tools and resources to support more person-centred Parkinson’s care. Through her research, Dr. O’Shea is committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of people with Parkinson’s remain at the heart of service development, policy, and clinical practice. |
| Vanessa Costigan |
| Vanessa Costigan is a Dublin-based Tai Chi teacher, Five-Element Acupuncture practitioner, and Legacy Holder with the Tai Chi Foundation. A highly respected instructor, she has dedicated many years to studying, teaching, and promoting Tai Chi, helping people improve their health, balance, confidence, and overall wellbeing through mindful movement and practice. Vanessa plays an active role in the international Tai Chi Foundation community as a Legacy Holder, helping to preserve and pass on the Foundation’s teaching traditions to future generations. She regularly contributes to training programmes and workshops, sharing her belief that Tai Chi can support physical health, emotional wellbeing, and resilience at every stage of life. Drawing on her experience in both Tai Chi and traditional Chinese medicine, Vanessa brings a holistic and practical approach to her teaching, making her a valued guide for people seeking greater confidence, mobility, and quality of life through movement. |
| Prof. Richard Walsh |
| Prof. Richard Walsh is a Consultant Neurologist specialising in movement disorders and one of Ireland’s leading experts in Parkinson’s disease. He leads the Movement Disorders Unit at Tallaght University Hospital and is Clinical Lead for the National Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Service at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, providing specialist care for people with complex and advanced Parkinson’s disease. Prof. Walsh completed specialist fellowship training in Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation at Toronto Western Hospital under internationally recognised leaders in the field. His clinical interests include advanced Parkinson’s disease, DBS and pump therapies, tremor disorders, dystonia, and other movement disorders. He has played a key role in developing specialist Parkinson’s services in Ireland and is actively involved in research, education, and service development. In addition to his clinical work, Prof. Walsh leads national research initiatives aimed at improving Parkinson’s care and outcomes. He is currently leading a nationwide study examining how Parkinson’s care in Ireland has changed over the past decade, helping to identify progress, highlight ongoing challenges, and inform future healthcare policy and service planning. Through his clinical expertise, research leadership, and commitment to innovation, Prof. Walsh continues to advance the quality of care and treatment options available to people living with Parkinson’s across Ireland. |
| Prof. Anhar Hassan |
| Prof. Anhar Hassan is a Consultant Neurologist and internationally recognised movement disorders specialist with expertise in Parkinson’s disease. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at UCD School of Medicine and consults at both Beacon Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Prof. Hassan completed specialist training in Australia before undertaking advanced fellowships in Clinical Neurology, Movement Disorders, Neurophysiology, and Deep Brain Stimulation at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Florida in the United States. She subsequently spent a decade as a Consultant Neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, where she established the Ataxia Clinic and served as Fellowship Director of the Movement Disorders programme. Prof. Hassan has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters, contributing extensively to international research in Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, and neurophysiology. She has been involved in national and international clinical trials and is an active member of leading neurological and Parkinson’s organisations worldwide. In addition to her clinical and academic work, Prof. Hassan serves on the Board of Directors of Parkinson’s Ireland. |
Whether you attended our inaugural conference or are joining us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be an informative and engaging day.
Travel and Accommodation
The Ashling Hotel is conveniently located in Dublin city centre and is easily accessible by public transport. The venue is within walking distance of Heuston Station and is well served by the Red Luas Line and a number of Dublin Bus routes.
For attendees travelling from outside Dublin, Parkinson’s Ireland has partnered with the Ashling Hotel to offer discounted accommodation rates for the night before the conference. Rooms can be booked directly with the hotel, subject to availability.
Register Today
Places are limited and early registration is encouraged.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease Conference 2026 and to another day of learning, connection and community.
Register now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/bUFDxA3XUF