It is an important time for health research in Ireland. Sláintecare creates cross-party consensus and a platform for transformation in the health services; Healthy Ireland aims to improve the health and well-being of the Irish population; and there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of evidence and evidence-based decision-making in healthcare and health policy. In addition, new areas, such as big data, digitalisation and genomics, are beginning to emerge, so 2018 was an interesting and opportune year for both of us to have joined the Health Research Board, as Chairperson and Chief Executive respectively