Speakers & Performers 2024
Senator Dr Tom Clonan
Dr. Tom Clonan is a retired army officer, university lecturer and was first elected to Seanad Éireann in March 2022 and was re-elected in January 2025. Tom is a fully Independent Senator - with no links to any political party. His mission - as a Trinity College Dublin Senator - is to hold Government to account. Tom graduated from Trinity College in 1987. For over 25 years, Tom has been a tireless campaigner for the Rights of others - as an Army Whistleblower on Gender Based Violence, a member of the HEA Expert Group on ending bullying, sexual violence, and sexual harassment in Irish universities and as a Parent campaigning for the rights of Disabled Children, Adults, and the Elderly. He is also a proponent of Irish Military Neutrality. He has four adult and teenage children and is an advocate for children and young adults with disabilities. Tom has written two best-selling books about his experiences in the army in the Middle East and former Yugoslavia. Unusual fact: Tom has also performed as a lead dancer in the award winning ‘Soldier Still’ – an exploration of trauma and grief written and choreographed by the dance theatre company Junk Ensemble.
Dr Patrick Maume
Patrick is a long-standing member of the Dictionary of Irish Biography editorial team (joined 2003), and has contributed more than 500 entries, including many on significant political, literary, and religious figures of the 20th century, with particular reference to Northern Ireland. He is a graduate of University College Cork (BA in English and history; MA in history) and Queen’s University Belfast (PhD in politics, postgraduate Cert in Higher Education Teaching). He has taught history and politics at University College Dublin and at QUB (where he held three research fellowships (1993–4; 1995–8; and 1998–2001). Has published numerous articles and book chapters on 19th and 20th-century Irish history. He has written two biographies: one of Daniel Corkery, the Irish politician, writer and academic, the other of D. P. Moran, (the Irish journalist, activist and cultural-political theorist).
Dr CaitrÍona Clear
Catriona lectured in History at Galway University for 35 years, She has written books on nuns, social history, women’s magazines, and women’s household work. She has just completed a concise history of Ireland for Cambridge University Press, and is now embarking on a biography of Alice Curtayne. She has known and loved Percy French songs all her life.
Dr Brian Griffin
Brian is an adjunct associate professor in the history department at Maynooth University, specialising in the social history of nineteenth and early twentieth century Ireland. He has a particular interest in the history of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police, crime, and sport (especially cycling). Recent publications include articles on Percy French’s war-related entertainments during the Great War, the bicycle in the Irish Revolution, Jack B. Yeat’s Punch cartoons during the Great War, and freak shows in 19th century Ireland. Work in progress includes articles on bicycle advertisements in the Second World War and street football in Ireland from the 1870s to the 1970s. His latest book is Crime and the Criminal Classes in Ireland, 1870–1920, (Cork University Press, 2024)
Dr Maeve o’Riordan
Maeve is lecturer in Women’s and Cultural History at University College Cork. She is author of Women of the Irish Country House, 1860–1914 (Liverpool University Press, 2018) and several other pieces on elite women in Ireland. She is currently exploring the experiences of single women. Maeve previously worked at the Higher Education Authority and the Irish Research Council. She won Irish Research Council funding for her PhD (UCC, 2014) and for her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates at Maynooth University. She is an elected fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Dr Eve Watson
Eve is involved in psychoanalytic practice, training, education, and research. She is a co-director of a busy Dublin city centre psychotherapy practice, and has published over 40 essays on psychoanalysis, sexuality, film, culture, and literature. Her co-edited books are: Freud’s Principal Case Studies Revisited: Freudian–Lacanian Psychoanalysts Reconsider the Legacy (2025, Routledge); Critical Essays on the Drive: Lacanian Theory and Practice (2024, Routledge); Clinical Encounters in Sexuality (2017, Punctum); and there is a collection on James Joyce’s writing forthcoming in 2026. In 2022 was the Erik Erikson Scholar-in-Residence at the Austen Riggs Centre in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and is currently the academic director of the Freud Lacan institute (FLi) in Dublin. She will be the Burns Scholar in Irish Studies at Boston College in late 2025.
Dr Michael Hardiman
Michael holds a PhD in philosophy from NUIG. A native of Athlone where he was born into a business. He attended University in Galway, and post graduate training in Counselling Psychology at University College Cork. He has written several books in the genre of psychology/personal development and was elected Fellow of the Irish Institute of Training and Development. For several years he served on the national executive of the Irish Association of Addiction Counsel ling. In addition to his work in the field of Psychology he has more recently engaged with formal training in political philosophy receiving both Master’s and Doctorate degrees in this field. His recent book The Path to Mass Evil: Hannah Arendt and Totalitarianism Today, (2023, Routledge, New York) is currently available within the academy worldwide and his new book, Misled? How Ideology Captures Your Mind, is now available to general readership. Michael lives in Galway where he works as a psychologist and educator with a private counselling practice. He also presents seminars and workshops nationwide to family centres and to adult education services.
Dr Stephen J Costello
Stephen is a prominent, philosopher and psychoanalyst. He is the founder of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland and a certified Enneagram coach. He is the author of 16 books. He was educated in St Gerard’s School, Castleknock College, University College Dublin (where he read philosophy and Spanish language and literature) and Trinity College Dublin (where he trained in psychoanalysis). He has addressed two parliaments: the Stormont Assembly on human rights and the European Parliament in Brussels on meaning and mental health. Dr Costello has over 30 years’ experience, giving lectures, talks, seminars, and workshops to individuals and companies in Ireland, the UK, the USA, Austria, and Switzerland (at the C.G. Jung Institute). His recent publiations include Dynamics of Discernment (Pickwick Publications, 2022), Ignatian Mysticism (James Clarke, 2024), and The Alchemy of Addiction (Routledge, 2024).
Prof. Una B Agnew
Úna was born in Co Louth close to the Border. She is a St Louis Sister, Professor Emerita of Milltown Institute, Dublin, Spirituality Dept. In 2004 she was a founder member of AISGA, (All-Ireland Spiritual Guidance Association), and has, since 2006, been a member of Spiritual Directors in Europe. Her research interests include spirituality of the stages of life and the intersection between literature and spirituality. Her special emphasis has been on the work of the poet Patrick Kavanagh. Author of The Mystical Imagination of Patrick Kavanagh (Columba Press, 1998) and relaunched by Veritas, Dublin in 2019. Her Love’s Doorway to Life: An Alternative Biography of Patrick Kavanagh, with her brother Art, was published as a triple CD in 2017 (Eist, Audio Productions, Dublin).
Stephen Collins
Stephen is a political columnist with the Irish Times and was previously political editor of the newspaper for a decade. He was educated at Oatlands College, Stillorgan, and later at UCD where he graduated with an MA in Politics. He started as a journalist with the Irish Press group and was political correspondent of the Sunday Press and later the Sunday Tribune before moving to the Irish Times. He has written a number of books about Irish political history, including The Power Game: Ireland Under Fianna Fail, (2002); Breaking the Mould: How the PDs changed Irish Politics (2006); and Saving the State: Fine Gael from Collins to Varadkar (2020). His most recent book, Ireland’s Call: How Brexit Got Done, was published last year.
Laoise de Brún
Laoise grew up on a farm in Co. Carlow. After studying law at TCD she worked in London making TV documentaries for Channel 4 and the BBC and has worked as a producer and reporter for ITV. For her MA thesis on the reporting of the Troubles she interviewed ex-combatants, journalists and politicians including the late Martin McGuinness. She was called to the Bar in 2022. She founded The Countess in 2019, an organisation that has gained prominence over its advocacy on the 2015 Gender Recognition Act. Her campaign ‘These Words Belong To Us’ stopped the government removing the word ‘woman’ from maternity legislation. She led a grass-roots campaign that delivered the historic defeat of the Referendums on the family and Care. She campaigned successfully against the hate speech element of the hate crime bill and the indoctrination of children into gender ideology in the classroom.
Michael Harding
Michael was born in 1953. He is the author of two novels, Priest and The Trouble with Sarah Gullion, and numerous theatre works including: Strawboys; Una Pooka; Misogynist; Hubert Murray’s Widow; Sour Grapes; and Amazing Grace (all with the Abbey Theatre), and over ten plays for other companies. He has been awarded the Stewart Parker Award for Theatre, The Bank of Ireland RTÉ award for excellence in the arts and The Hennessy Award for short stories. He has been Writer in Association with The National Theatre in 1993 and he was short-listed for the Irish Times/Aer Lingus Literature Award in 1989. In 2000 he was Writer Fellow at Trinity College Dublin and he was nominated for the Jane Snow Award for Theatre writing in 2003. He has also explored connections between theatre and performance art. He was nominated for Best Male Performer, at the Dublin Theatre Fringe Festival, 2002, and he was the overall winner of Best Male Performer Award at Dublin Fringe Festival 2003. His eight books of memoirs, chronicles of ordinary life in Ireland, which have been number one best sellers, and recipients of numerous awards. He continues to perform in theatre, film, and one-man shows based on his writings. His most recent memoir, I loved him from the day he died, was published in 2024. He is a member of Aosdána.
Ciara Lawless
Ciara, who hails from Roscommon, is a mature song-writer with a powerful voice. She delves into themes of reconnecting with the inner-child, healing, and self-discovery. With a successful run on the festival circuit she has honed her stage presence (with hints of Kate Bush and Florence and The Machine). Ciara began her music journey with lessens at a young age and later trained at the Academy of Music in Tullamore and competed in national and international competitions. Following three singles her debut album, Paint My Soul, was released on Human Angel Records April 2024.
Michael Banahan
From an early age Michael, a Roscommon native, has been singing and collecting songs. With many years involvement in the music business he has released a number of critically acclaimed albums: three solo; one with Irish folk duo The Baileys; and five with the internationally renowned folk group Rig the Jig of which he was a founding member. Michael has a passion for writing story songs. He is the founder of GoodWood Music, a record label set up to support original Irish talent from all genres of music. The label releases records world wide through partner ships developed in the UK and the USA. His solo albums include: Tecumseh Valley (2014) and Liften’ of the Latch (2014).
Col Ceathair
Maria Henderson, 16, plays trombone, harpsichord, and piano. She has won first prizes at the Feis Ceoil, Arklow Music Festival, and Feis Maitiú and is the 2025 Foróige’s Got Talent national champion. She is a member of the Dublin Youth Orchestra, Blanchardstown Brass Band, and TU Dublin Concert Band, and enjoys playing a wide repertoire that includes classical, popular, and jazz music. Cecilia Henderson, 14, is a singer, organist, and harpist. With the Piccolo Lasso choir, she performed at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Westminster Cathedral, London, and San Gaetano, Florence. She has won first prizes at the Leinster Fleadh, Feis Ceoil and Arklow Music Festival. She also studies speech and drama and voices Kiva on the popular animated series Kiva Can Do on RTEjr and Nick Jr. Isabella Henderson, 10, loves to sing many types of music, including traditional Irish, popular and classical. She won the U12 Lilting competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2024 and has won prizes for singing and poetry recitation at Feis Maitiú, Feis Ceoil, and the Kilcoole Music Festival. She also plays bodhrán and drums. Kevin Finnerty Jnr, 14, is currently attending St Vincent’s Castleknock College as a second-year student. He is a member of St Vincent’s Castleknock College choir and in 2021, won Feis Ceoil Gold Medal for singing. Kevin has won numerous first prizes for singing and poetry recitation at Kilcoole Music Festival and Feis Maitiu. He is a former member of the Piccolo Lasso choir, and has performed at the National Concert Hall. Kevin plays guitar, harp, piano, and drums.
Paul McDonald
To come.
Malachy Tuohy
Malachy is the lead singer and songwriter with acclaimed Irish band The Riptide Movement, known for their dynamic live shows and heartfelt songwriting. With a career spanning over two decades, the band has released a string of critically acclaimed albums, toured internationally, and continues as a driving force in Irish music. Amidst of a packed schedule, including an upcoming performance at Glastonbury, Malachy will play a rare solo performance at the Percy French Festival. This intimate set offers a stripped-back glimpse into his soulful songwriting. Blending folk, roots, and raw emotion, Malachy’s solo work reveals a quieter, more personal side of one of Ireland’s most compelling voices.
Paul Healy
Paul grew up in Rooskey, Co. Roscommon. Having previously worked for the Longford Leader and Longford News, he spent 16 years as Editor of the Roscommon Champion, before launching the Roscommon People with his wife, Fiona, in 2007, and is its Managing Editor. For many years he edited the Roscommon Association Yearbook. He is author of five books to date, on subjects ranging from sport to politics to social history. He is an occasional contributor to Phoenix magazine.
