New RCSI Humanarium exhibition ‘Breathe’ explores the science behind every breath, the air we all share and how we can protect ourselves and others this winter.

We breathe 20,000 times every day, usually without giving it a second thought. A breath can be automatic or intentional, calm us or prepare our bodies for action. A new exhibition at Humanarium, the free public engagement space at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences on St Stephen’s Green, invites visitors to discover how the most ordinary thing we do every day is more extraordinary than we think.

Opening on Thursday 15 October, 'Breathe' will take visitors inside one of the human body’s most essential functions, exploring the science of breathing and the remarkable respiratory system that works around the clock to keep us alive. Breathing is a whole-body experience that can affect our hearts, brains, and nervous systems, rather than something that happens solely in the lungs.

Looking beyond our own bodies, the air we breathe connects us to the environment around us. 'Breathe' explores how the quality of the air around us can affect our health and why protecting clean air is important for individuals, communities and society.

The exhibition also encourages visitors to think about how they can breathe their best. From the benefits of controlled breathing and physical activity to avoiding smoking and vaping, positive choices can play an important role in keeping our lungs healthy throughout our lives.

Respiratory health has a significant impact on people across Ireland. An estimated 380,000 people are living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while around 450,000 people have been diagnosed with asthma. Ireland also has one of the highest rates of cystic fibrosis and alpha-1, a genetic lung condition, in the world.

Alongside these challenges is a story of significant progress. Advances in research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment are transforming our understanding of respiratory health and helping people to live longer and healthier lives.

Through interactive exhibits, expert insights and lived experiences, visitors will discover the remarkable science of how we breathe, explore what happens when it is difficult to breathe and learn how treatments can support people to breathe more easily. 'Breathe' also highlights the positive, everyday choices we can make to support good respiratory health throughout our lives.

The exhibition draws on expertise from researchers and clinicians to provide trusted information on conditions including asthma, lung cancer and cystic fibrosis.

At the heart of ‘Breathe’ are the experiences of people living with respiratory conditions, sharing personal perspectives on how breathing and lung health shape everyday life.

Visitors will hear from Joe Clancy about living well with COPD and returning to playing football with his grandchildren; Catherine Clinch shares her experience of an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis despite having no symptoms; and Mia Horgan talks about living with cystic fibrosis and how advances in treatment have transformed her quality of life.

Dr Alison Boyle, Director of Humanarium, said: “Breathing is something we do every moment of every day, but rarely stop to consider. It connects every part of our bodies, responds to how we move and feel, and connects all of us through the air we share.

“'Breathe' brings together science, healthcare and lived experience to help visitors see this everyday act in a new way. From trying breathing exercises to discovering the research and treatments transforming respiratory health, we hope the exhibition will help people to better understand breathing and empower the public with positive steps we can all take to protect ourselves and each other.”

'Breathe' follows 'Heart: more than a beat', the inaugural exhibition at Humanarium, which attracted thousands of visitors to explore the science of the heart and cardiovascular health through interactive exhibits, expert knowledge and patient experiences.

Professor Fergal O'Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI, said: “Research and innovation have driven remarkable advances in our understanding of respiratory health and in the treatments available to people living with respiratory conditions.

“Humanarium gives us an opportunity to bring that science out of the laboratory and healthcare setting and share it with the public in an engaging and accessible way. 'Breathe' celebrates the extraordinary science behind something every one of us does, while highlighting how research, innovation and prevention can help us protect our respiratory health.

“We are grateful to our founding partners Blackrock Health, AIB, Lanas and HSE Healthy Ireland for supporting our mission to make a meaningful difference to the health and well-being of people in Ireland.”

Located at 118 St Stephen’s Green, Humanarium launched with a mission of exploring healthy futures for all. Through a rolling programme of free exhibitions and events exploring health sciences and medical research, Humanarium is a place for everyone to join conversations about how to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

'Breathe' officially launches at Humanarium, 118 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, on Thursday, 15 October. The free exhibition is open to the public from 7.30am–5pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturdays 10am–3pm, at 118 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02X0N1.