Biography

Learning First is led by Barry O’Callaghan, a native of Mullingar and long term resident of Dún Laoghaire.  He graduated from UCD with a BSc and Higher Diploma in Education.  In 2003 he obtained a Master’s Degree in Education (Leadership and Management) from the Open University.

From 1976 to 2000 he worked with Dún Laoghaire VEC as a teacher in both Dún Laoghaire College Further Education and Senior College Dún Laoghaire.  He was appointed Deputy Principal of Senior College Dún Laoghaire in 2000 and appointed Principal in 2004.  He retired in January 2011 to pursue other interests.

He is Chair of the NAPD Leading for Learning (L4L) Advisory Group and a member of the NAPD Further Education Sub Committee.

He has a wide range of sporting and general interests.  In soccer he captained UCD to Collingwood Cup success (intervarsity) and represented the Irish Universities.  He later played and coached soccer professionally in Ireland and USA.  He is a year-round 40-Foot, Sandycove sea swimmer (some would allege dipper, strongly refuted!), is an avid reader and is a keen (i.e. quite average) choral singer.