“A host is like a general: calamities often reveal his genius.” – Horace
Public Appearances
As well as the bread and butter of TV, radio and journalism, when I’ve time – and if I’m asked – I also regularly make public appearances, giving talks, MCing events and opening supermarkets … ok, I’ve never opened a supermarket but hey, some day …
Since moving back from London in 2009, for example, I’ve:
- hosted, as fear an tí, the European Conference on Literacy post-conference traditional music and ceilí event in DCU for the Educational Research Centre, Dublin, in 2022
- presented the Irish video-insert for the AEA-Europe Online 22nd Conference, recorded in the Merry Ploughboy, Dublin, in 2021
- MC’d the 28th Irish Travel Trade News Awards in the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin, in 2019;
- MC’d the inaugural Hotel Awards Ireland 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin;
- helped launch the Reuters Institute Digital News Report (Ireland) in conjunction with the BAI and Fujo in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin, in 2018;
- MC’d the Harold’s Cross Community Festival Gala Concert at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, in 2018 and 2017;
- participated in numerous events for my old alma mater, DCU, including talking at the Media Production Society careers and networking evenings in 2018 and 2016; judging at the 2016 and 2012 MPS Hybrid Awards; launching the MPS 30th anniversary magazine in 2015; speaking at the 2013/14 DCU Alumni/Careers Service Structured Mentorship Programme closing night, and presenting at the 2014 Students Union Society Awards;
- hosted the National Transport Authority‘s series of Local Link gameshows over three days at the 2017 National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore;
- MC’d the Stratford Lawn Tennis Club Championships’ dinner awards presentation in Kenilworth Bowling Club, Dublin, in 2017;
- MC’d the ACI FMA World Congress Gala Dinner in the Convention Centre Dublin in 2017;
- spoken at the Dublin Freelance Forum in 2017, 2015 and 2011 about the TV and radio commissioning process, in Buswells Hotel, Dublin;
- given a talk in 2017 to my hometown’s Kildare Historical Society in the CMWS Hall on The Forgotten Visit, my 2010 RTÉ Radio 1 Doc on One on US President Richard Nixon’s 1970 visit to Ireland;
- judged in 2016 Cill Dara Golf Club‘s Strictly Cill Dara in The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge;
- spoken to students at BCFE (Ballyfermot College of Further Education) in 2015 about working in TV and radio and co-launched their BCFE Bulletin student newspaper;
- MC’d the 2015 inaugural HP Indigo Inkspiration Awards at the Dscoop Open in the Convention Centre Dublin;
- hosted the second stage and some individual events at the 2013 Kansas City Irish Festival;
- MC’d the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon in 2013;
- spoken to students at WIT (Waterford Institute of Technology) and LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) in 2012 about the TV and radio commissioning process;
- MC’d the Dublin Lions Club annual Eric’s Party for the homeless in the Irish Life Mall in 2011 and 2012;
- launched Jane Travers’ book, Tweet Treats, in Odessa in Dublin in 2011;
- and chaired Mediacontact.ie‘s 2010 Content Is King social media conference in Dublin’s RDS.
If you’ve an upcoming event and you’d like to enquire about my availability, drop me a line and let’s talk.