Theme: LEGACY. AUTONOMY. DEMOCRACY. The Impact of Culture in a Changing World

Now in our 4th consecutive year we're back live in perhaps the most intimate theatre around. After our individual experiences of a global pandemic, this year's TEDx Dun Laoghaire Speakers have much to share. They are people who in their own way have and continue to make a real difference in our world. Their interests are varied as are their backgrounds and professions. Each with something to share. Through their talks they will inspire, motivate, educate and through their unique experiences open our minds and hearts to a different way of seeing, understanding and appreciating our world. Context is indeed everything as you'll learn as you hear nine speakers each with a different interpretation of Legacy: Autonomy: Democracy, in short 'The Impact of Culture in our Changing Word.' leaving you with invaluable insights. Our session will also include a most special musical interlude.

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Haigh Terrace, Moran Park
Dún Laoghaire
County Dublin, Dublin, A96 H283
Ireland

Andrew Geary

Social Justice Advocate

Husband, Father, Citizen and Garda College (Irish Police Academy) Trainer. Andrew Geary has a true passion for community and voluntary projects. He is dedicated to Civil Rights through Education, Equality and Employment.For the last six years has campaigned for equal access to Education through Fluent Sign Language for his Deaf Son Calum, which has involved High Court action, advocacy in the legislature and the Media. Previously he assisted the Deaf Community, at the UNCRC, through his work on the Irish Sign Language Act and organising an International Conference on Deaf Education. Presently studying at the MTU for a Level 6 in Irish Sign Language. Previously he studied at University College Cork, the National Garda (Police) College and University of Limerick. In his talk he explores what he has learnt about himself from the stories told by Children, how they have affected him professionally, personally which he feels adds immeasurably to his sense of justice.

Berginald Rash with Fiona Gryson

Musicians

Founded in 2016 by harpist Fiona Gryson (www.fionagryson.ie) and clarinettist Berginald Rash (www.berginaldrash.com), Dathanna Harp & Clarinet Duo is an ensemble forged in friendship, mutual respect and joyful musical collaborations that highlight the timbral beauty, emotive expressiveness, and unique pairing of the harp and clarinet. Both are recognised nationally & internationally. Orchestral & chamber harpist Fiona Gryson performs regularly with Ireland's RTÉ National Symphony & RTÉ Concert,Irish Chamber, Lyric & Ulster Orchestras. Berginald Rash, hailed for his ‘especially stylish’ playing (Guardian), a critically acclaimed Dublin-based American clarinetist, has performed with the RTÉ National Symphony, Virginia Symphony, and Orchestra of the Swan; BBC & Snape Maltings Proms & Gent Music Festival. Collaborations include London Philharmonia, Nashville Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras, Frankfurt hr-Sinfonieorchester, Atlanta Symphony & the RTÉ ConTempo Quartet.

Dr. Brendan O'Shea

Family Doctor & Assistant Adjuvant Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin

Dr Brendan O’ Shea, MD FRCGP is a GP in Co Kildare, Ireland, and Assistant Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin. Academic interests include improving care for people with multimorbidity, end of life planning, and overweight. Over 3 decades in practice, he has been involved in training and education of Doctors, including Undergraduates, and Postgraduate Training in General Practice. He describes himself as a practicing Buddhist (‘haven’t got the hang of it yet !’), and a pragmatic optimist. He strongly supports availability of Medical Assistance in Dying as a choice for people at end of life, and explores this in his talk, dying well as an integral part of a good life.

Gerry Creighton

Global Elephant Care Consultant

Gerry Creighton is now perhaps best known as the man who is 'the human voice of the Elephant' having followed his early love of animals as a boy to become a second generation Zoo Keeper in Dublin, growing up perhaps with Dublin Zoo and all the animals there as his extended family. Over the last 36 years he has been travelling the world, sharing his passion and understanding of how best this vanishing, endangered species can be cared for to ensure their continued existence. His work has evolved with the development of practical and holistic approaches to improving better care for elephants, As a global elephant care consultant, Gerry travels extensively in the hope his collaborative work will inspire future generations to work and care for elephants in a way which the emotional needs and physical wellbeing of elephants are met . In his talk, 'the elephant in the room' will take centre stage.

Joanne Hession

Entrepreneur

Joanne Hession is founder and CEO of LIFT Ireland, a social enterprise equipping and empowering 10% of Ireland to raise standards of personal and ethical leadership, creating a nationwide ripple effect of positive change. A successful entrepreneur and leadership expert, Joanne founded both The Entrepreneurs Academy and QED The Accreditation Experts, providing services to over 40,000 entrepreneurs and top Business schools internationally for over 20 years. Joanne is passionate about helping people to maximise their potential through learning and growth. She is wife to Joules and Mom of three amazing daughters Hannah, Leah and Megan. Joanne works hard to be better every day as she reminds herself daily that all the problems in the world are caused by human behaviour and actions including her own.

Liz Dillon

Author, Speaker, Broadcaster

Liz Dillon discovered the debilitating impact of our early childhood experiences and how we pass on our limiting beliefs and behaviours to the younger generation. Her talk 'Emerging from the Shadows' is an insightful journey of how we can reclaim our lives inherited from our environment. Author of Taking Flight - The Caged Bird and co-author of We Summit Together, Liz is an international speaker and presenter of The Conscious Living Show on Dublincityfm. Liz has facilitated retreats and seminars at the Anthony De Mello Awareness centre, Sadhana Institute, India, the Theosophical Society, Auckland, New Zealand and Notre Dame USA. In her talk she draws on 35 years teaching experience and her time as Deputy Principal of a Deis 1 school where the focus is on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from pre-school through primary school education (3 to 12 years).

Nicola Lawless

CEO & Entrepreneur

Nicola is a mother to four, disability advocate, entrepreneur and down to earth, straight talking woman. She is someone who gets things done and makes things happen. A woman of opposites – measured, calm and laser focused, She is also spontaneous, intuitive and trusting and as a result accepts life on life’s terms. Described as someone with business acumen that is very targeted, she designs, plans and executes in her business life, but family and friends are her most important focus. She feels that her sense of humour has gotten her this far and looks forward to lots of adventures in her future!

Noelle McAlinden

Artist & Creative Activist

Creative, Adviser, Artist, Curator, Educator, Activist. Originally from Maghery,Co Armagh on the shores of Lough Neagh,based in Fermanagh since 1983. Immersed in Arts and Cultural life for almost 38 years, working across voluntary,youth,community,statutory sectors. Noelle has a huge interest in human rights and philanthropy, where Equality and Diversity are important. Dedicated to the 'Unlocking Creativity Agenda' of Sir Ken Robinson, highlighting the pivotal role of creativity,the arts and in living a fulfilled and purposeful life. Her talk builds on the evolving theme of "Becoming undone" reviewing the importance of our human rights and emotional states & landscape we inhabit and how this connects back to our early childhood experiences, life experiences and how we engage in a fragile, fractured world where human rights for some are challenged and violated.

Pat Cooke

Author

Pat Cooke spent most of his career as a museum curator and heritage manager. Among the places he managed was one of Ireland’s most popular historic sites, Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. He spent the latter part of his career at University College Dublin as director of a master’s in management for those working in the cultural sector. His book The Politics and Polemics of Culture in Ireland, 1800-2010 has recently been published by Routledge. As we emerge from Covid lockdown, a time that compelled us to re-evaluate the relation between work and leisure in our lives, his talk asks us to consider the importance of the amateur spirit in helping to establish a better work-life balance.