THE CEIFIN CENTRE

Fr Harry Bohan

Fr. Harry Bohan, Chairman of the Céifin Centre, qualified as Sociologist in the University of Wales and is currently Director of Pastoral Planning in Diocese of Killaloe and Parish Priest in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. Believing in family and community as the two vital systems in fostering human relationships he founded the Rural Resource Organisation in 1972. This organisation was responsible for encouraging communities across Ireland to participate in determining their own future and resulted in the building of 2,500 houses in 120 villages, in 13 counties. In 1998 he founded the Céifin Centre for Values-Led Change. to carry on the conversation on the direction Ireland is taking.  The purpose of Céifin is to reflect, debate and direct values-led change in Irish society.  He was appointed to the Task Force on Active Citizenship by an Taoiseach in 2006. Recognised as one of the leading social commentators in Ireland today Fr Bohan has written extensively on the subjects of christianity, spirituality and economic development, the importance of the local responding to the global and on understanding change.  His books published include ?Roots in a changing Society? and ?Community and the Soul of Ireland? and he is editor and contributor to books of papers from all 8 previous Céifin Conferences.  He has broadcast widely on national radio and television. Fr Harry is also well known for his involvement in sport and Clare Hurling in particular.

Ciana Campbell, BA Psyc., Media Consultant

Originally from Swinford, Co. Mayo, Ciana graduated from UCG in 1979 with a B.A. degree in Psychology. She began her broadcasting career in RTE in 1980 when she first broadcast on Radio 2. For the following eighteen years Ciana presented and reported on both radio and television. She worked in many departments including Features, Young People?s and Current Affairs. Her best known programmes included Check Up, a pioneering health programme, Access Community Television and, more recently, daytime television shows such as PM LIVE. Ciana and her family moved to Ennis, Co. Clare in 1998. She is married with two daughters. In 2000 she was involved in The Scattering, an award winning photographic book on the lives of Clare emigrants. She provides media and presentation services for a variety of organisations. In 2006 she was awarded a H. Dip. in Health Promotion by NUIG and is currently pursuing a Master?s Degree in Health Promotion. Ciana divides her time between media consultancy and training, family commitments, study and volunteering in her local community. Ciana is also on the organising committee for The Ennis Book Club Festival.

Prof. Tom Collins, Lecturer, NUI, Maynooth

Damien Corridan, President, Students Union, GMIT

Damien Corridan is a graduate of Electronic Engineering in NUI, Galway and is currently a postgraduate student in the Dept. of Information Technology in NUI, Galway. Damien is from Listowel in Co. Kerry. Damien has a keen interest in promoting community engagement, particularly within third level education. He has many years of involvement with University societies and the Students' Union movement, including serving two terms as Societies' Chairperson on NUI, Galway Students' Union and one term as the Secretary of the Board of Irish College Societies. He is the current President of NUI, Galway Students' Union. Damien is one of the two student hosts of the Céifin National Students Conference.

Marion Coy, Director, GMIT

Marion Coy was appointed Director of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in October 2002, becoming the second Director of the Institute. She graduated with a degree in History and English from University College Galway and taught for a time at secondary level in Dublin before joining GMIT in the early 1980s, when the Institute was known as the Regional Technical College Galway. Marion Coy began her career in GMIT as a lecturer in communications and immediately set about introducing more humanities subjects to the curriculum. In 1993 she set up a new Department of Humanities and successfully lobbied for the establishment of an arts-based campus in the city, Cluain Mhuire, which offers courses in film, television, art and design. She became Head of Centre at Cluain Mhuire and under her guidance RTC Galway also became one of the first Irish colleges to offer theology courses. In 1998, Marion Coy was appointed head of the amalgamated Schools of Business Studies and Humanities. She served a term as a staff representative on the Governing Body and was also a member of the Academic Council. When the former director Dr Gay Corr announced his intention to retire she put her name forward and was successfully appointed to the post in 2002.  She was appointed to the post of Director in 2002 As Director, she oversees a community of 9,000 students, 600 full-time staff and 400 part-part time staff in four campuses ? GMIT Castlebar, GMIT Cluain Mhuire (Galway city), GMIT Dublin Road (Galway city headquarters and main campus) and GMIT Letterfrack (Furniture College). The Institute also has an out centre at Mountbellew, Co Galway, in partnership with the Mountbellew Agricultural College and Teagasc. A range of research activities and liaisons with industry are in place across all campuses including two new Innovation in Business Centres (IiBC), one at the Dublin Road campus in Galway and one in the Castlebar campus in Mayo. Marion Coy has delivered numerous papers and addressed national and international conferences on topics including: European Higher Education Policy/Bologna Process, Spatial Strategy/Regional Development (BMW region), Youth Culture, Contemporary Irish Theatre, Cultural Industry and Education in Ireland, and the Arts. She is a member of the Executive Council of the Board of Directors of Institutes of Technology and the Coiste Liaison with NUI, Galway.  She is on the board of the Regional Higher Education Network (Lionra), and on the Galway City Development Board, and is associated with a range of community and arts organisations in the west. She worked towards the development of tertiary education in Ireland and contributed to the deliberations of the Points Commission, the development of the Bologna Process, the establishment of Lionra and the development of a national quality framework for the Institutes of Technology. Marion Coy lives near Tuam, Co. Galway, with her husband Joe Coy, a teacher, and her three children, Garrett, Ruairí and Deirdre.

Paddy Duffy, NWHSE & Donegal County Council; youth advocacy and participation.

Paddy Duffy is a former student of NUI, Galway, recently completing a B.A. Degree in History and English in May 2006. For three years he presented and produced numerous shows on Galway's campus station, Flirt FM, including a week-in-review panel discussion show and annual coverage of Student Union elections. He also served as News Editor for the 2005/06 academic year. A former member of the Donegal Youth Council, he has worked for several years for the North Western Health Board and Donegal County Council in the field of youth advocacy and participation. He is currently a writer and youth editor for national youth website, spunout.ie.

Sally-Ann Flanagan, Mayor of Tuam

Sally-Ann Flanagan was elected to Tuam Town Council as a candidate for Fine Gael in 2004 at the age of 20.  She was elected as Mayor of Tuam in 2006.  Sally Ann works as an administrator in GMIT.

Colm Hamrogue, President of the Union of Students of Ireland.

Colm Hamrogue is 25 years old from Bundoran, Co. Donegal. In 2006 Colm entered the Students Union in IT Sligo on a full time basis when elected President. Colm was successfully re-elected President of the Students Union with an overwhelming mandate. In May of this year Colm was elected President of the Union of Students of Ireland.

John Hyland, NUI Galway Students' Union

John Hyland (24) originates from Ballyvaughan in County Clare. He has recently completed a one year term as Vice-President/Campaigns & Communications Officer in NUI Galway Students' Union before which he had served two years as Students' Union Clubs' Captain, representing the University Sports Clubs on the Students' Union Executive and the Sports & Recreation Union. During that time John also acted as Vice-Chairman of the Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland, coached the University Volleyball Club and the Ladies Soccer Club while completing his B.A. (Psychological Studies and Economics) and ascertaining an ITEC Diploma in Gym Instruction. John has spent the last couple of years working on new sports facilities in the University and he is now also undertaking a project in his local community of Ballyvaughan to build sports facilities in order to help give the children of the area options when growing up. John has been honoured as Clubs' Individual of the Year in 2003 in NUI Galway and has served as Manager of the Irish Universities Swimming and Water-polo team in the 2005 Celtic Nations tournament. John is now studying an Masters in. John Hyland (24) originates from Ballyvaughan in County Clare. He has recently completed a one year term as Vice-President/Campaigns & Communications Officer in NUI Galway Students' Union. He is now studying for a Masters in Sports and Exercise Science in the University of Brighton, England with an aim in becoming a Sports Psychologist in the near future. 

HE Devikarani Priscilla Sewpal Jana, South African Ambassador to Ireland.

Ms Jana served her articleship with Ismail Ayob and Associates in Johannesburg. After articleship she became a professional assistant to Shun Chetty. She was admitted as an attorney in 1978 and opened her own law practice in 1979.  Immediately thereafter she was served with a banning order for five years. Ms Jana was a member of the National Parliament of the African National Congress from 1994 to 1999.  She chaired the Ad-hoc Committee on the Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Ad-hoc Committee on the SA Law Commissions Report Surrogate Motherhood and the Ad-hoc Committee on Allegations by Minister E Pahad and Dr W W Odendaal.  She was member of the Portfolio Committees of Justice, of Constitutional Affairs and of Correctional Services and member of the Ad-hoc Committees on Members’ Statements and on Allegations by Mrs P De Lille, as well as member of Joint Committee on Public Protectors’ Interest. She devoted he legal career and her energies primarily and almost entirely in the field of Civil Liberties and Human Rights.  She was involved as a Human Right Lawyer in a majority of the celebrated political cases throughout South Africa.She played a significant role in protest politics against apartheid and particularly in opposing the new constitution through the South African Students Organisation (SASP), Black People’s Convention, the Anti Constitutional Committee and Federation of Transvaal Women (FEDTRAW). Ms Jana is a legal advisor/consultant to the African National Congress Women’s League on Gender Issues, National Children’s Rights Committee and the African National Congresses’ Local Regional Government Committee and the Women’s Coalition Bill. She is a trustee of the Old Palme Trust, The Sisulu Trust, The Mbeki Trust, Khululekani Parliamentary Trust and Resources Aimed at Protecting Children Against Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN). In March 2001 Ms Jana was appointed as Ambassador for the Republic of South Africa in the Netherlands. In September 2005 Ms Jana was appointed as Ambassador for the Republic of South Africa in the Republic of Ireland

Paul Kelly, MD, Aspect Recruitment Consultants; founder of CONSOLE

Paul Kelly is the Managing Director of Aspect Recruitment Consultants, one of Irelands leading recruitment firms. In 2003, Paul founded CONSOLE following the death of his younger sister, Sharon aged 22 through suicide. The tragic loss compelled him to develop a specific national service providing professional Counselling, Support and Helpline services to those Bereaved through Suicide. CONSOLE also offer Education and Suicide Prevention Programmes. Paul is also the recipient of the 2006 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Alan Kerins, Physiotherapist; Volunteer for Cheshire Home in Mongu, Zambia.

Alan is a native of Kilcolgan, Co Galway.  He studied in St Mary’s college Galway and trained as a physiotherapist in Trinity College.  He is currently working with the Health Services Executive in Merlin Park in Galway.  Alan is a former county footballer and is on the current senior hurling team for Galway.  On his own initiative Alan has taken time out from his busy schedule to work with Sr. Cathy Crawford in the Cheshire Home in Mongu, Zambia, which caters for the rehabilitation of disabled children and those ravaged by HIV/AIDS.  Alan has established a charity to provide continuous physiotherapy to the children and food relief for the area. Alan was recent recipient of REHAB People of the Year Award 2006 for this work.  Alan is a keen sportsman and has played for his county in both Senior Hurling and Football. He won an All-Ireland Football medal with his county in 2001 and was on the Galway team that contested the 2005 All-Ireland Hurling Final.

John Lonergan, Governor of Mountjoy Prison

John Lonergan is a native of Bansha, Co Tipperary.  He joined the Irish Prison service in 1968 and was appointed Governor of Mountjoy Prison in 1984.  He also served as Governor of the top security prison in Portlaoise from November 1988 until May 1992.  He is married with two grown up daughters. His philosophy is that change, personal or otherwise, cannot be enforced on people, believing that real and meaningful change comes about through consent and agreement.  He is convinced that people change from the inside out and that the task for all of us is, first of all, to find the humanity in another human being and then to nurture it.  The more a person becomes aware of their own humanity the more likely they are to treat others with respect.  He argues that there is a direct link between crime and social and economic deprivation and believes that the biggest challenge facing us as a society today is not the economy but how we are going to create a just, inclusive and cohesive society based on the core values of justice, equality, fairness and compassion. John Lonergan was appointed Governor of Mountjoy Prison in 1994.  His philosophy is that change, personal or otherwise, cannot be enforced on people, believing that real and meaningful change comes about through consent and agreement.

Roisin Mc Grogan, Vice President/Welfare Officer, NUIG Student Union

Roisín is the Vice-President / Welfare Officer of NUIG Students Union. She assists with students' problems in the areas of accommodation, childcare, study, health, finances and social welfare. Roisín is from Galway City, has completed 2nd year of her Bachelor in Civil Law and is currently completing a Diploma in Legal Irish. She held the position of Disability Awareness Officer on the 2005/06 NUIG Students Union Executive Committee and has a certificate in basic Irish Sign Language (ISG). She is a former Schools Convenor of the Literary and Debating Society and has been an active member of the Political Discussion Society. Roisín is also involved in performance dance and drama at NUIG.

Seamus Mc Guinness, AdAstra scholar in suicide studies at UCD.

Seamus McGuinness was born in Inisowen, Co Donegal, in 1964. He studied Textiles in GMIT 1982 - 1986 and went on to become a Lecturer in Textiles there from 1995 to 2006. Seamus is currently an Ad Astra Scholar in Suicide Studies at UCD. This is a discursive collaboration between Medicine and Art, under the supervision of Prof. Kevin Malone, Mental Health Research Unit, St Vincents Hospital, Dublin, and Prof. Janis Jefferies, Visual Arts Dept., Goldsmith College. Seamus's current research includes young male suicide and visualizing the process of mourning. He is very much interested in bringing the research beyond statistics. Seqamus has exhibited both nationally and internationally and now lives in the Burren, Co Clare.

Lorraine Mc Ilrath, Project Coordinator for the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI). CELT.

Lorraine McIlrath is an Academic Staff Developer (Service Learning) and Project Coordinator for the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) based at the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at the National University  of Ireland, Galway.  She is responsible for overseeing the work of the CKI, and developing and supporting the introduction of the service learning component of the Community Knowledge Initiative supported by a generous donation from a major philanthropic trust and management of the overall project.  Prior to her present position she worked at the UNESCO Centre at the University of Ulster, where in partnership with the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA), she developed an academic programme on the Northern Ireland conflict peace process which underpinned service learning.  Prior to this she supported the development of the Northern Ireland curricula framework for ‘Local and Global Citizenship Foundation http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/ and published a Resource Directory for all schools in Northern Ireland.  Her research interests include the role of education in contested societies, civic engagement and higher education, conflict transformation and democratic participation.

Jack Mahoney, Merlin Park Hospital Alcohol Unit

Colm Markey, President, Macra na Feirme

Colm Markey was elected the 30th national president of Macra na Feirme in May 2005, with his term of office running until May 2007. Colm has been a member of Termonfeckin Macra club since 1990. He has served as Leinster vice-president of the organisation, as well as in numerous officer roles such as club chairman, county development chairman, national chairman of Macra’s Rural Affairs and Member Services committee and as Louth’s representative on the organisation’s national council. Colm is also a member of Louth Disease Monitoring Committee and the County Louth Strategic Planning and Development Committee. Since 1993, he has been a board member of the National Youth Council of Ireland. During his years as a member of Macra, Colm has participated in a broad range of competitions and activities. As club chairman, he developed an innovative drama project, which involved the writing of three plays followed by a performance in the Dublin Fringe Festival. As development chairman in his county, he played a major role in increasing Macra membership in Louth and also developed strong links with the Young Farmer Clubs of Ulster. He also played a key role in the setting up of Newgrange Purchasing Group and was involved with Teagasc in introducing a farmers’ discussion group in his area. In his role as chairman of Macra’s Rural Affairs and Member Services committee, he campaigned on a number of issues relevant to rural young people including lower car insurance for young drivers. As president of Macra, Colm has been active in highlighting various issues including the need for increased participation in community life (Know Your Neighbour Weekend was held for the first time in July 2006), unacceptable driver test waiting lists, pension awareness, farm safety, the nitrates directive, and other issues affecting young farmers and rural young people. He has taken part in the recent talks on a new social partnership deal and is a member of the IFA National Council and the Council of ICOS.

Deborah Molloy, President. GMIT Student Union

Daráine Mulvihill, Graduate DCU & NUIG.

In 1999 Daráine Mulvihill was struck with a deadly strain of Meningitis and Septicaemia. Doctors were not hopeful that she would survive and she was given the last rites.  Fighting for her life, the doctors were forced to amputate both of her legs below the knee and all of her fingers.  Despite these difficulties, Daráine managed to return to her education graduating from DCU in 2005 with a degree in Communication Studies. In 2006 she completed a postgraduate course in NUI Galway. In 2001, aged 18, Daráine received an Irish Person of the year award. In 2004 Daráine was appointed by President Mary McAleese to be the young person representative on the Irish Council of State.

Kieran O Malley, USI Western Area Officer.

Kieran O Malley is a native of Ballina in Co. Mayo. He is the USI Western Area Officer, this role involves suppor Carmel O Reilly is 23 years old and a native of Athlone in Co Westmeath. She has completed a degree in Social Studies in Athlone IT and was elected to the position of Student Union Vice President/ Welfare Officer ting the Full Time Student Union Officers in the region. He was elected to the Students Union in GMIT acting as Vice President and President in successive years. Kieran is one of the two student hosts of the Céifin National Students Conference.

Carmel O Reilly, Athlone IT Student Union Vice President/ Welfare Officer.

Carmel O Reilly is 23 years old and a native of Athlone in Co Westmeath.  She has completed a degree in Social Studies in Athlone IT and was elected to the position of Student Union Vice President/ Welfare Officer.

Brendan Smith, Community Officer, DERI 

Brendan Smith’s professional and voluntary activities allow him to be defined under a broad range of labels: technologist, science advocate, educationalist, community activist, environmentalist, wildlife campaigner and Irish culture enthusiast. His valuable contributions to his home city of Galway has earned him a number of accolades over the last year, including the Galway ‘Mayoral Social & Community Volunteer’ Award and the annual Galway Science and Technology Festival Award for his contributions in promoting science and technology amongst young people. He is also one of only a handful of Irish people to be granted the honorary title of Distinguished Educator by Apple Computers for his expertise in the area of digital educational film production. As a person whose work involves empowering social groups and as a former well-known student union activist, he has some very strong opinions to make on the real and potential contributions that this sector can make to modern life. His talk will focus on the positive impact that the Galway/Irish student movement had in transforming local and national society in the 1960s-1980s period as well as on the need for youth leaders to once again re-ignite this radicalism for the 21st century. Brendan Smith’s professional and voluntary activities allow him to be defined under a broad range of labels: technologist, science advocate, educationalist, community activist, environmentalist, wildlife campaigner and Irish culture enthusiast.  As a person whose work involves empowering social groups and as a former well-known student union activist, he has some very strong opinions to make on the real and potential contributions that this sector can make to modern life.

Brian Walsh, Director, BTW Finance and a member of Galway City Council.

Brian Walsh, aged 33, is a director of BTW Finance and a member of Galway City Council. He held management positions with both NIB and Anglo Irish Bank before establishing his own financial consultancy business in 2004.. He was elected to Galway City Council at his first attempt in June 2004 and was elected the City’s youngest ever Mayor just one year later in June 2005. During his term as Mayor, Brian organised the first ever Mayoral Youth conference dealing with issues such as Mental Health, Diet & Fitness & Drugs Alcohol. Brian is a member of City of Galway VEC, Galway Harbour Company, western Regional Authority and the Council’s Environment and Housing strategic policy Groups.

Fiona Walsh, Coordinator, HSE West Drugs Task Force

Fiona has been Regional Drugs Co-ordinator with the WHB/HSE since 1997. Prior to that she was Community Drugs Co-ordinator in Oldham, Manchester since 1990. She qualified as a general nurse in 1980, and then specialised in Psychiatric Nursing in 1984. She worked in acute psychiatric services until 1988 before specialising in addiction in 1989 (ENB 612). While co-ordinating the Oldham Drugs Service she gained a Higher Diploma in Addiction Studies (1995). The move to Ireland realised a life-long ambition, and she has brought a wealth of experience to the development of the local drug services over the past 9 years. Fiona completed a Masters in Drug and Alcohol policy from Trinity in 2000. She has published several peer-reviewed articles and presented at both National and European conferences.

Philip Watt, Director, National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism

Philip Watt has been Director of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) since 1998. This is an expert body involving Government, social partners and NGO’s established to provide advice and to develop initiatives linked to combating racism and promoting a more inclusive intercultural society in Ireland. He was previously seconded to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to draft the National Action Plan Against Racism (2003) and to coordinate European Year Against Racism (1997). Born in Belfast, he is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and a postgraduate of the University of Ulster. He has written extensively on racism and interculturalism. For example, 'Responding to Racism in Ireland’, (2001) published by Veritas; ‘Migration Policy in Ireland’, (2002) published by the NCCRI and is joint editor of ‘How Public Services are provided to Minority Ethnic Groups’ (2006) a major research project focussing on Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Dominick Whelan, Student Shannon College of Hotel Managment.