Speaker Bios

Ruairi McKiernan

Ruairí McKiernan is an award winning campaigner, consultant and Presidential appointee to Ireland’s Council of State. His work focuses on social justice, health and community empowerment campaigns, projects and publishing. This includes contributing to newspapers (Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Sunday Times, Huffington Post), radio (RTE, Newstalk, Today FM, BBC), TV (RTE, TV3, BBC), public speaking, and advisory work for numerous non profits and campaign groups in Ireland and internationally.

Originally from Cootehill in Co. Cavan, Ruairí studied Business Management in Scotland before working for various multinational companies in the U.S and Australia. Returning to Ireland he joined the North Western Health Board and got more involved in social justice and environmental issues before setting up the pioneering SpunOut.ie national youth organisation where he was CEO from 2004 to 2011. In 2011 he was one of the organisers of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Ireland and in early 2012 was  appointed by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, to the Council of State.

During July 2014 Ruairí undertook a one month hitchhiking ‘listening tour’ around Ireland. Ruairí is on the boards of Gaisce – The President’s Award, The Soar Foundation and the Uplift people powered campaigning organisation, which will launch in 2014. Ruairí is a recipient of numerous awards including a Fulbright TechImpact Award, a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award, a Net Visionary Award and a Junior Chambers Ireland Award.

Further Information can be found at http://www.ruairimckiernan.com

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