Education Nation

State of the Nation
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Education Nation is a new podcast for 2026 brought to you by the Irish Catholic. Hosted by Nicky Cuddihy, we have lined up a host of fascinating guests who have intriguing stories to tell about their own career journeys and their role within the Irish education system. As we hear their stories, we hope that the podcast will help us develop a better understanding of the complexity and the richness and the diversity that make our education system so unique, and our schools and teachers so highly valued.

  1. 6d ago

    Catholic education is undergoing a significant period of change w/ Maeve Mahon

    Catholic education is not a static idea, neither is it an abstract or ethereal pursuit. It is a participative, living tradition, and right now it is undergoing one of the most significant periods of change in its evolutionary story. The relentless revolution in information and communications technologies is gathering pace. The tectonic plates of education, family and society are shifting. As a result, the climate, culture and landscape of Catholic schools are all changing rapidly. When societies and cultures are changing, the first evidence will often be visible in the schools, they are the canaries in the coal mine. And so, the challenges and impact of these many transformations are evident in the day-to-day life of our schools. They are keenly felt by those who lead, manage and govern Catholic education like our guest on Education Nation this week, Maeve Mahon, CEO of CEIST (Catholic Education an Irish Schools Trust). CEIST is one of Ireland’s largest school patron bodies, responsible for 106 Catholic voluntary secondary schools, and a growing number of community and primary schools. In this week’s Education Nation episode, Maeve presents her view of a sector that is adapting and reshaping itself through deeper commitment to inclusion, stronger supports for leadership and governance, and a renewed confidence in Religious Education, all backed up by a bold new national Vision Document. Her message is confident and unapologetic: Catholic schools are evolving, and are well placed to play a key role in our education system for the future

    Catholic education is undergoing a significant period of change w/ Maeve Mahon

  2. Oct 20

    What happens if the goodwill runs out w/ John Cleary

    Irish schools run on goodwill. All of those things we love so much about our schools come about because of the generosity and authentic kindness of school leaders and staff. Special school events like graduations, open nights and career evenings, earlymorning rehearsals for the school play, extra phone calls to a worried parent,not to mention the whole world of school sports - none of it is in the contract for school leaders, teachers or SNAs. There is no overtime in education! Generosity and goodwill are deeply ingrained in the DNA of our school cultures. For many generations school leaders have worked hard to preserve positive relationships between stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and that everyone is united in putting the needs of the students first. As a result, it has been the norm that people who work in schools routinely give more than their contracts demand. That is why the ongoing dispute between the public service unions and the Government carries a risk far greater than the temporary disruption experienced this month. Even though this week’s day of strike action has been postponed, a worktorule remains in place. Can we be sure that goodwill, once withdrawn, will automatically return? Even if a new pay deal is reached, the damage to relationships, to trust, and to morale may linger long after the dispute ends. These issues emerged within the latest episode of the Education Nation Podcast in which I discussed the fragility of the context in which school leaders now find themselves navigating. In a deeply personal and wideranging interview with school principal John Cleary, we reflect upon the dispute, the generosity of his staff, and his own unique career journey.

    What happens if the goodwill runs out w/ John Cleary

  3. Oct 9

    Why Religious Education still matters w/ Peter Admirand

    In the latest episode of Education Nation, I sat down with Peter Admirand, Associate Professor and director of the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue at Dublin City University. As debates intensify around patronage, governance, curriculum reform, and the future of Religious Education (RE) in Irish schools, Admirand offers a compelling personal, and experiencedriven case for why Religious Education must not only remain on the timetable, but why it must be preserved as a priority within the curriculum for all students.

    Why Religious Education still matters w/ Peter Admirand

  4. Sep 22

    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.

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

  5. Sep 15

    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.

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

  6. Jun 12

    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.

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

  7. Jun 3

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

  8. May 8

    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.

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

Education Nation is a new podcast for 2026 brought to you by the Irish Catholic. Hosted by Nicky Cuddihy, we have lined up a host of fascinating guests who have intriguing stories to tell about their own career journeys and their role within the Irish education system. As we hear their stories, we hope that the podcast will help us develop a better understanding of the complexity and the richness and the diversity that make our education system so unique, and our schools and teachers so highly valued.

Information

  • Creator
    State of the Nation
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Grace Communications 2024
  • Show Website
    Education Nation

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