Education Nation

250 years since a North Cork woman changed the world w/ Sister Sharon Fagan

As the Presentation Sisters mark the 250th anniversary of their founding, their story, rooted in the life, vision, and courage of Nano Nagle, feels strikingly contemporary. For the congregation worldwide this anniversary is not only a milestone but an opportunity to honour and commemorate the past and to reflect on the remarkable evolution of a global mission rooted in rural North Cork. To celebrate the anniversary, Nicky Cuddihy welcomed Sister Sharon Fagan, Congregation Leader of the Union of Presentation Sisters, to the Education Nation studio.

Vibrant and Viable: the future for Catholic Schools w/ Clare Kilroy

Clare Kilroy, CEO of APTCS, joined Nicky Cuddihy as the first guest of the second series of Education Nation. . She reflects on her leadership journey, the evolving role of patrons and trustees, and major developments including the new Vision Document, strengthened faith‑formation supports, and upcoming senior‑cycle RE and RSE programmes. A compelling conversation on ethos, collaboration, and the strategic direction shaping Catholic education in Ireland.

The insurer that gives it all away w/ David Lane, MD of Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland

David Lane, MD of Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland (proudly part of the Benefact Group), tells The Irish Catholic podcast, Education Nation, why the company's unique ownership model means its profits go to charity — and why that matters for Catholic institutions Most people regard paying an insurance premium as, in David Lane's words, a grudge purchase. Nobody wakes up in the morning delighted to be writing the cheque. But what if the company cashing that cheque was giving its distributable profits away? Not to shareholders, not to directors, but to charitable causes — over €250 million of them in the past decade alone. That is the reality of Ecclesiastical Insurance, the specialist insurer whose Irish managing director sat down recently with the Education Nation podcast and its host Nicky Cuddihy, to explain a business model that is, in the truest sense, unique. Ecclesiastical is not a household name in Ireland, at least not in Catholic households. Founded 135 years ago to provide insurance for the Anglican Church, it arrived in Ireland about 45 years ago through the Church of Ireland portfolio, insuring everything from large Cathedrals like Christ Church and St Patrick's, to rural parish churches across the country. For many Irish Catholics, the company has simply been off the radar — associated, if at all, with another tradition. That, says Lane, is something he is keen to change.

A journey of faith and education from Tuamto Australia w/ Prof. Eamonn Conway

The final episode of the 2026 season of Education Nation brings listeners a rich and compelling conversation with one of the most authoritative voices in the world of Catholic education: Prof. Eamonn Conway, a priest of the Archdiocese of Tuam was appointed as the inaugural Professor of Integral Human Development at the University of Notre Dame, Australia in 2022.

A look at Catholic education in Northern Ireland w/ Fintan Murphy

Our guest on Education Nation this week is Fintan Murphy, CEO of the Catholic Schools Trustee Service (CSTS)—the sectoral body supporting the trustees of the approximately 450 Catholic schools across Northern Ireland. In this episode Fintan offers valuable insights into the context of Catholic education within the Northern Ireland education system—one that mirrors the experience in the Republic in many respects but which differs significantly not only in language but also in terms of structure, funding and governance.

Admission Act 2018: a major stumbling block for divestment - w/ Alan Hynes

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 has undoubtedly improved fairness and transparency. The Act for the first time required that every school publish a clear, nondiscriminatory admissions policy and that they follow an agreed common national timeline. There is no doubt that parents now have greater confidence in how places are allocated. But one unintended consequence means that Catholic schools can no longer give priority to children of Catholic families. In the opinion of Alan Hynes this is the decisive factor that has prevented communities from supporting divestment. Parents are reluctant to relinquish a denominational school if they cannot be assured that their children will have priority access to the remaining Catholic option.

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Seamus Mulconry: School management and the ‘new normal’ in Irish schools

This week’s guest on the Education Nation podcast is Seamus Mulconry, the CEO of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA), a key stakeholder in Irish education and the national body supporting the Boards of Management and leaders of almost 3,000 Catholic primary schools across the country. Originally from Kilkee, Co. Clare, Seamus fondly recalls his early school days in “the school around the corner,” where inspirational educators like principal Martin Boland and teacher Tom Lillis sparked his lifelong passion for Celtic mythology and ancient history. He summarises the core role of CPSMA concisely, “We represent schools and help schools stay out of trouble — or help them reverse out of it as quickly as possible.”

Simon Lewis: Ireland’s only primary school principal from an ethnic minority

With First Communion and Confirmation season in full swing, the Education Nation podcast is turning its attention to the primary sector for a while. Next week’s guest is Seamus Mulconry, CEO of the Catholic Primary School Managers Association. This week, in the first of our ‘focus on primary education’ series, the spotlight falls on someone from outside the majority Catholic nationalschool tradition: Simon Lewis, principal of Carlow Educate Together National School. Simon brings something rare to the national conversation on education: the lived experience of growing up in Ireland as part of a minority community, combined with the professional insight gained as both teacher and principal. He demonstrates tremendous energy, confidence, a willingness to listen, to dialogue, to challenge, and the courage to say some of the quiet things out loud.

Rachel O'Connor on School leadership – ‘the backbone of the school’

On this week’s Education Nation podcast, we turned our attention to one of the pinch points of our education system, perhaps the most pressurised and least understood roles in Irish education: school leadership. More specifically, the conversation focused on the lived reality of principals and deputy principals in post-primary schools. Our guest, Rachel O’Connor, a long-standing advocate for school leaders, painted a picture of a profession that is deeply committed, increasingly complex, and now facing challenges that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago. In her current role as Deputy Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies, Rachel certainly has her finger on the pulse.

Use It or Lose It - Breda O’Brien on the Future of Catholic Education

In words that resonate strongly with those of other contributors to the Podcast, O’Brien sees the key challenges facing Catholic education as stemming not from a lack of goodwill or talent, but from a lack of formation. Ultimately this leads to a gap in confidence around leadership and the articulation of the Christian message that underpins the entire tradition of Catholic education.

The future of Catholic schools with Jonathan Tiernan

This week’s guest on EDUCATION NATION Jonathan Tiernan, CEO of the Jesuit Education Trust provides a clear-eyed assessment of what lies ahead for Catholic schools should we fail to capitalise on the opportunities before us or if we do not respond adequately to the challenges of the next ten years.

A love of learning - An interview with Dr Eilis Humphreys

For our first episode, Nicholas Cuddihy interviews Dr Eilis Humphrey about her love of learning and the education system in Ireland.

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State of the Nation: Human trafficking: Ireland’s secret shame

In this week's episode, prominent anti-trafficking campaigner Sr Liz Murphy addresses a problem that has often gone under the radar but continues to grip parts of the country: the devastation of human trafficking. Sr Liz outlines how Ireland's inability to meaningfully tackle the offence has seen it flagged on a global stage for its inadequate response, an offence that Sr Liz characterises as a "crime against humanity".

State of the Nation - recognising it as a disease

Our guest this week is Dr Donal O’Shea of UCD School of Medicine who speaks to regular hosts Michael Kelly and Wendy Grace about how to prevent obesity and be healthy at any weight, provided one makes healthy choices and exercises. As the HSE's Clinical Lead on Obesity in Ireland, he emphasises the importance of “children being active as a default”. They also discuss how consumers are hoodwinked by packaging, claims of 'healthy ingredients' and the rising levels of sugars in even the most basic food items.

State of the Nation: "Nobody wanted to listen" says top gender doctor

In this week’s episode, regular hosts Michael Kelly and Wendy Grace speak with Prof. Donal O’Shea, an endocrinologist working at St Vincent’s Private Hospital. He has worked for many years in the field of gender transition in both the UK and Ireland. In the past he says his and others concerns with regards to the medical care of children and young adults were not listened to and now the Cass report seems to be a watershed moment in countries that want to adopt and grow the evidence-based model to get the best outcomes for individuals who are gender questioning – a journey that, if done well, is an incredibly positive journey with good outcomes, he says.

State of the Nation: The Gender scandal and doctors with a God Complex

This week State of the Nation speaks with Stella O’Malley, Irish psychotherapist and author, and is the founder of Genspect, an international organisation includes professionals, trans people, detransitioners, and parent groups who work together to advocate for a non-medicalised approach to gender diversity. We ask what is the Cass Report and what happens to a person when you stop their sexual development in early puberty and why its yet another medical scandal that God Complex doctors have allowed to happen.

State of the Nation: Why the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality was hijacked by NGO’s and citizens were “railroaded” into supporting Gender Identity ideology

A Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality could be reasonably expected to deliberate on the term “gender” but this did not happen. The Assembly changed the term “gender” to “gender identity” and this route was taken without open deliberation or discussion with the 99 citizen members. Academic and writer Colette Colfer argues that we are in 1984 territory as she argues while words like diversity are used there is actually no diversity of opinion or thought in these groups and people are often afraid to express their opinions. “There’s shaming, cancelling and ostracising” says Colette. Hosts Michael Kelly and David Quinn also examine why there is so much fear in Ireland’s university campuses where debate is being stifled and speakers shamed and cancelled.

State of the Nation: Ireland’s Electoral and Media Commission: State apparatuses curtailing free speech

Michael Kelly is joined by David Quinn and Cormac Lucy, economics columnist with The Sunday Times and an independent candidate for Blackrock local area in the local elections to be held in June.

State of the Nation: Demonising women who believe in biology

In this latest State of the Nation podcast, Aisling Considine is a mother, teacher and South West Inner City candidate for Aontu speaks to State of the Nation about how teachers and parents are waking up to the “nonsense” of gender ideology which is all across the school curriculum. Aisling spoke out against the National Women’s Council of Ireland which she says wants to silence women who don’t agree with them on gender ideology and she asks why is the INTO paying membership to the NWCI.

State of the Nation: Euthanasia and the economic push

March was a hell of a month in Irish politics, but the most significant event for the people of this island passed by almost unremarked. Overshadowed by Varadkar’s resignation and the referendum results, the recommendation from the Oireachtas Committee that Ireland legalise assisting dying may prove to be a decisive moment. Michael and Wendy are on hand to dive into exactly why certain Irish politicians are so keen on hurrying up the final moments, even when Irish medical opinion is firmly against them. They also look at some of the horrific stories that have come out of jurisdictions that have legalised assisted suicide, like Canada, where the number of people using ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’ jumped 30% last year and the government there wants to open it up to people with mental illnesses. Michael notes that while those at the end of life deserve the very best palliative care available, many fear that the push for assisted suicide is driven by more economic factors. The highly connected British journalist and former Tory MP Matthew Paris revealed as much last weekend when he said that “we simply cannot afford extreme senescence or desperate infirmity for as many such individuals as our society is producing.” Campaigner Eilís Mulroy joins the team to discuss the dangerous consequences if the Irish equivalents of Paris get their way. For one of the few government ministers to support assisted suicide the last time it came up for a vote, was none other than our Taoiseach-to-be, Simon Harris. Whatever happens with Assisted Suicide in Ireland, you’ll find the real story right here, on State of the Nation. If you know someone who is affected by these issues, please spread the word, and forward them this episode.