Our Team
Learning Ireland is the leading provider of information about classes and courses in Ireland. We are the one-stop location for information about all types of education - further learning, third-level education, corporate training and postgraduate options. We produce and operate Ireland's leading printed guides and websites, making it easy for people to find the right course in the right university, college or institute.
Learning Ireland runs The National Education Database - Ireland's only searchable online listing of education options. There are currently more than 40,000 courses listed in the database (to add your listing, click here). Our aim is to supply you with the most comprehensive range of higher and further learning options possible and give access to information about every single course provider around the country.
We currently employ a total of nineteen full and part-time staff from our base in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
But those are just the vital statistics; why not get to know the people behind the product? People like...
Managing Director: Kevin Branigan (kevin@learningireland.ie)
With supervisory control of all of our educational websites and print publications, Kevin's ultimate goal is to help make education accessible to everyone. A man of many talents, he was employed as FM104's Production Director in a previous life and still instructs wannabe DJs and broadcasters at the Dublin Media Centre, hosts the odd four-hour afternoon slot for East Coast FM and is Imaging Director of Spin 1038.
Director: Mike Ormonde
Mike is responsible for the firm's commercial strategies, corporate financing, and in-house sales training. In common with many of his Learning Ireland colleagues, history has seen him work in broadcasting (he was a Media Consultant for FM104). He enjoys speedboats, fast cars, sarcasm and - uh - sweets...
Commercial Manager: Bronwen Howells (bronwen@learningireland.ie)
Bronwen studied German and Business studies at Swansea University in Wales. She worked as Sales and Marketing Manager at an Irish interiors magazine before joining Learning Ireland in November 2004 where she is responsible for sales strategies, marketing and forward planning. Originally from Oxford, her favourite hobby is scuba diving and she loves going to Connemara to tutor an open water diving course.
Senior Business Development Executive: Hugh Arthur (hugh@learningireland.ie)
Hugh is responsible for the creation of new business and the maintenance of existing accounts. With a solid background in marketing, sales and education, he previously worked for Roberts Robert (the coffee people). He enjoys surfing, diving, skiing and rugby - all in all a tedious establishment type who’s partial to the odd scone…
Advertising Sales Manager: Beth Rees (beth@learningireland.ie)
Beth hails from Wales and has lived in Ireland for nine years, working in a sales environment. She loves walking, going to the cinema and is big into angels - she reads loads of angels books and her home houses angels in bulk. She is a huge "people person" and loves helping others. She’s also a massive Meat Loaf Fan and has an admitted obsession with 80s music; there’s no cure, apart from dancing!
Senior Business Development Executive: Andrew D'Arcy (andrew@learningireland.ie)
Andrew has been in advertising sales for over six years, mainly working with major accounts and new business development. He's a friendly fellow who enjoys golf, fishing, rugby, and socialising. He’s also quite good at accents; well we all have to have some talents…
Business Development Executive: Maura Walsh (maura@learningireland.ie)
Born in the USA, Maura came to live in Ireland as a baby and grew up a true Irish colleen. After qualifying in Business Studies and Public Relations at Dundalk IT, she returned to Boston where she stayed for 8 years working both as a programme coordinator at the Irish Institute and as a sales executive at a computer software company. Her passion for travelling and free-spirited soul led her to Australia and South East Asia before returning home to Dublin in 2006. An avid walker and keen gym-bunny, she has a zest for life and can always be relied upon to liven up a work night out by being the first to make shapes on the dance floor and the last one to leave…
Business Development Executive: Stha Ngwenya (stha@learningireland.ie)
Hailing from Zimbabwe; Stha moved to Ireland in 2000 and within a few short years found herself doing a degree in Media and Marketing in DBS. Stha is a keep fit fanatic who’s current pastime of choice is tag rugby. When she’s not exercising, she loves nothing more than listening to music and dancing.
Agency Sales Executive: Georgina Bolger (georgina@learningireland.ie)
With a Diploma in advertising and 3 year's agency experience, Georgina has a keen eye for ad campaigns and marketing in general. She is another fitness fanatic (rumours of Learning Ireland entering a team into the Olympics are unfounded) and is soon to enroll in a part time fitness instructor course. Georgina is also a keen performer and enjoys singing, dancing and acting as a member of a drama society.
Senior Graphic Designer: April Meyer (april@learningireland.ie)
April was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. Armed with a degree in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, she ventured to Ireland in 2004. She joined Learning Ireland in 2005 and is responsible for making sure everything we do looks great. She also does her best to keep all the neighbourhood coffee shops in business and is sure to be the smiliest person in the office on a Monday morning.
Graphic Designer: Deirdre Callinan (deirdre@learningireland.ie)
Deirdre hails from County Clare and is flying the flag for the west here in Dublin. Armed with a BA Honours degree in Visual Communication from Limerick School of Art and Design and an impressive sense of aesthetic, she is putting her talents to good use on the graphic design team. Her hobbies include everything from music to horse-riding; she’s currently focusing her energy on learning to swim…and we’re very proud!
Production Coordinator: Lydia Nicholson (lydia@learningireland.ie)
Lydia is a graduate of Psychology Applied to Information Technology in the Institute of Art and Design in Dun Laoghaire. She joined Learning Ireland after having spent time working in a bank and travelling in Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, and worked as the company’s multi-talented administrator before making headway in the project management department.
Distribution Manager: Louise Hobdell
Louise has a strong background in media and marketing having worked in TV, film, sales, and marketing after graduating with a BA in Journalism and Media in 2004. She is responsible for managing the circulation and distribution of all our printed guides. A shrewd business head but a sociable soul at heart, Louise loves nothing more than wining, dining, spending time with loved ones, and generally having fun!
Administration: Aoife Murphy (aoife@learningireland.ie)
Her Marketing degree from Senior College Dun Laoghaire gave Aoife a taste for the world of business; she could talk Eskimos into buying snow. Her favourite things include spending time with friends, giving it welly on the dancefloor to poptastic hits and Johnny Depp…no wonder we like her so much! Her weird ability to waver and shake her eyes wildly without moving her head freaks us out though…
Financial Controller: Nikki Harris (accounts@learningireland.ie)
A native South African, Nikki moved to Dublin with her family three years ago and is just about getting used to the change in climate. Our very own Miss Moneypenny, Nikki has a wealth of experience in accounts and is responsible for controlling the financial side of things at Learning Ireland.
Credit Controller: Michelle Browne (michelle@learningireland.ie)
Michelle Browne is originally from Australia but has been an Irish citizen for many years. She graduated with a Science degree majoring in Psychology in Australia and is currently enrolled in a course in complementary therapies here in Dublin. Michelle is responsible for credit control and a whole range of administrative duties within our "head" office. Get it- Head, ha ha!
Content Editor: Donal Kavanagh (donal@learningireland.ie)
Donal Kavanagh studied journalism in Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education and provides most of the writing for our web and print publications. He is an avid reader, a keen supporter of Shamrock Rovers and Man U, and has been described by colleague Andrew D'Arcy as “a serious journalistic prospect.”
Researcher: Louise Molony (louise@learningireland.ie)
Blessed with musical abilities that would make any X Factor wannabe turn green; Louise is an experienced fiddle player and talented singer. She admits her worst habit might be singing too loud at parties although since her favourite pastime is taking part in trad sessions and jamming we’ve a feeling that she’s no warbling wallflower. A budding radio producer; a move to London is in the pipeline for Louise next year when she goes there to do a masters in Media & Communication…that’s if we ever let her go wah-ha-ha-ha-hah (that’s our evil laugh).