Speakers & Performers

Dr Brian Griffin

Brian is an adjunct associate professor in the history department of Maynooth University. Specialising in the social history of Ireland in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, he has a particular interest in policing, crime, sport (especially cycling) and Percy French. Recent publications include articles on RIC barracks as domestic spaces, Irish women and football in the First World War, the Aztecs in Ulysses and the bicycle in the Irish revolutionary period 1913-1921. He is currently exploring a number of projects on the social and cultural history of Ireland in the Great War. His most recent book is Crime and the Criminal Classes in Ireland, 1870-1920 (Cork University Press, 2024).

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.

John McGuirk

John is the Editor of Gript Media, Ireland's fastest growing media platform, which he co-founded in 2019. A writer, media commentator and one-time activist with many years of experience, he is well known for having worked on several high profile referendum campaigns in Ireland, most prominently the Lisbon referenda of 2008 and 2009, and the abortion referendum of 2018. He is a regular commentator on Irish broadcast media. He lives in County Tipperary with his wife Orla, and their cocker spaniel, Izzy.

Gretta Mohan

Gretta Mohan is a Research Officer in Economic Analysis at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin. Her current research spans health and digital technologies, with a current focus on the economics of mental health, loneliness, suicide behaviours and self-harm.

In 2026 she was elected to the Young Academy of Ireland at the Royal Irish Academy and was the 2025 Barrington Medal awardee, recognising her as a promising young economist and social scientist.

Sarah Ryan

Sarah Ryan is a criminal defence barrister practising from the Law Library, Dublin, with a practice in criminal and family law.

A former elected councillor, Sarah is a regular media commentator on legal, political and social affairs, and co-hosts Something Different with John and Sarah, an independent podcast with a large and engaged Irish audience. She brings a practitioner’s perspective to policy and public debate.

Sarah lives in Malahide with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

Col Ceathair

Maria Henderson, 17, 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, 15, 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, 11, 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, 15, is currently attending St Vincent’s Castleknock College as a third-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.