Una Byrne
President
I studied German and Economics in UCD and began teaching in 1990. I taught in Wexford for most of my career, commuted 3 hours for over 10 years and am now teaching close to home in Carlow. I teach mainly German.
I have always loved German since I met a German at the age of 7! We had a B&B and one German – Edi became a firm friend of the family. Edi visited twice a year and whether it was the chocolate or the trips on the Shannon – I was hooked. I chose a school solely based on the availability of German and have never looked back.
Tina Killackey
Vice-President
My passion has always been and remains language learning and teaching even though I have just retired! I have lived and worked in Wexford for over 30 years where I taught German, French & Spanish.I have a keen interest in Technology and love all the new cool learning tools & apps- a far cry from what was available when I first started teaching! A cassette-player was the height of it! I have two grown-up kids, one of whom, I’m thrilled to say, has become an MFL teacher!
Michael Hauke
Goethe Institute Director
Briain O'Conaill
Treasurer
Completed my B.A. Int. in NUIG and then a Masters in International Relations in DCU. Worked for four years in a German speaking role for an Irish PLC.
Changed course and did a H.Dip in 2012 and since then have lived and taught in Dublin.
Maria Whitty
Secretary
Having studied German, French and Italian in Leeds, I completed my H.Dip. in UCD. I’ve been teaching German in Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy ever since - 28 years now. I’m originally from Wexford and live with my family just outside Wexford town.
Joanne Hession
Webmaster
I am a graduate of UL having studied a BA in European Studies with German & Spanish, followed by the Grad.Dip in Education. My passion for languages combines perfectly with my love of the mountains and rock climbing. I was a substitute for 13 years until finding my current school – CBS Ennistymon where I teach German & multiple TY modules. Tech is also a big passion of mine & something I am continually learning about.
Bettina Knipschild
Assistant Treasurer
I hold a BA in Hispanic Studies and Linguistics (QMW, University of London), an MA in Language Acquisition and PhD in Language and Linguistics (both from the University of Essex) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (UCD). I worked in several Dublin schools before settling in Tallaght Community School as a German and Spanish teacher in 2013.
Maria Braun
Membership Secretary
My two passions in life are music and languages.
I completed a diploma in Musical Theater before I decided to go into teaching. For my BEd. I studied in Vienna, where I lived for 14 years before I decided to move to Ireland. I also obtained a master’s degree at Mercy College, New York.
Sean Carroll
Committee Member
My name is Sean Carroll and I am a teacher of German, Irish and Politics and Society at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Drogheda. I have always had an affinity for German having spent an extensive period living in Germany and hold a BA and MA in German. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and sharing my expertise on the language. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy running, football, swimming, reading and meeting up with friends.
Kim McCarney
Committee Member
Orlaith Cagney
Committee Member
Iris Rouse
Committee Member
