Cora O’Farrell the new Director of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education
Today (Thursday November 4th), Dr. Cora O’Farrell was announced as the new Director of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at an event with Archbishop Dermot Farrell, President of Dublin City University Prof Daire Keogh and Executive Dean of DCU’s Institute of Education, Prof Anne Looney.
Dr O’Farrell’s background in education was initially as a primary school teacher, serving as a class teacher, learning support teacher and Home School Community Liaison coordinator. She became involved in teacher education early in her career through the facilitation of Continuing Professional Development courses. She began her career in teacher education in 2000 at Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education,. She joined St Patrick’s College in 2008 and became part of the School of Human Development at the DCU Institute of Education established in 2016. She has contributed to teaching and research in the field of religious education since that time contributing to national and international networks.
Dr O’Farrell is a member of the Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference and has been involved with a number of initiatives in Catholic Education. She played an active role in the development of the Grow In Love programme for Religious Education in primary schools on the island of Ireland.. She is currently a member of the Sacraments Implementation Group of the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Her doctoral studies addressed the area of Children’s Spirituality and focused on the potential of Godly Play® for its nurturance. Cora is co-founder of Godly Play Ireland and is an accredited Godly Play® Trainer. Her passion for Contemplative Pedagogies has led her to take on a lead role internationally in the development of Deep Talk.
Dr Cora O’Farrell said
“The Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education is rooted in the legacy of pioneers in the field of Catholic education nationally and internationally. The Centre continues a proud tradition of innovative practices in teacher education and builds on its reputation as a centre of excellence in research. It’s a daunting task to follow in the footsteps of giants but I am inspired by their vocation.
I feel privileged to be taking over from Dr Gareth Byrne who was the first Director of the Centre. I look forward to continuing the wonderful initiatives established by Gareth and I thank him for his mentorship. I hope to forge further friendships and partnerships which will expand the horizons of Catholic education at DCU and beyond.
We have a wonderful team of educators, researchers and professional staff in the Centre and together we will endeavour to nurture the seed of welcome and encounter for students, staff and community alike.”
President of Dublin City University, Prof Daire Keogh said
“I warmly welcome Dr O’Farrell’s appointment and I know that she will bring great energy and insight to the development of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education. The centre makes an important contribution to DCU life and its continued success demonstrates the University’s commitment to values-based education as we support all of Ireland’s schools, across the denominational, non-denominational, and multi-denominational sectors.”
Executive Dean of DCU’s Institute of Education, Prof Anne Looney said
“Dr O’Farrell’s depth of experience and commitment to teacher education, coupled with her leadership in the field of Catholic education makes her the ideal person to guide the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education in the next phase of its development. The team of academics and researchers associated with the Centre will benefit from her collegial support and guidance as they further develop the reputation of the Centre in Ireland and beyond.”
Archbishop Dermot Farrell said
“Congratulations to Dr Cora O’Farrell on her appointment as Director of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at Dublin City University. I have no doubt that Dr O’Farrell’s academic work and support for her students, her interests in liturgy and sacraments, and spirituality, and her links with parish and with the Diocese, will all contribute significantly to reflection at the Centre on Catholic life and its importance for individuals, the Church and for society.”
About the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education
The Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education (MDCCE) on the DCU St. Patrick’s Campus continues the mission and tradition of service to Catholic Education, broadly conceived, of the two Catholic Colleges of Education, St.Patrick’s College Drumcondra and Mater Dei Institute of Education that have been incorporated into Dublin City University.
Within the DCU Institute of Education, the MDCCE seeks to ensure that teachers and other educators, graduating from DCU programmes, have a deep appreciation of the Catholic understanding of the full development of the human person which informs every aspect of work in a Catholic setting.
https://www.dcu.ie/materdei-centre-for-catholic-education