Some 37,000 people have epilepsy in Ireland, including 10,000 children under the age of 16, Epilepsy Ireland has said.

This week is National Epilepsy Week and as part of this, a number of events are taking place across the country to raise awareness of the condition and offer support and advice to those affected.

Around one in 20 people will have a single seizure at some time during their life, but epilepsy is characterised by recurring seizures. This is caused by excess electrical activity in the brain.

Some 50 million people worldwide are affected, making it one of the most common neurological conditions. Up to 2,000 people are diagnosed with the condition in Ireland every year and as many as 15,000 of those affected have uncontrolled epilepsy.

The events taking place this week include a seminar on epilepsy awareness for teachers and special needs assistants and a seminar on women and epilepsy. There will also beinformation stands at hospitals nationwide.

National Epilepsy Week runs from May 15-21. For more information on the events taking place around the country, click here

*Pictured at a fundraiser lunch in Dublin ahead of National Epilepsy Week is RTE 2FM DJ, Rick O'Shea, RTE presenter, Kathryn Thomas, and Ireland rugby head coach, Joe Schmidt