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New Director of CESC - Edmond Hussey

A Chairde,

I am honoured to write to you for the first time as Director of Cork Education Support Centre, following my appointment by the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee. I officially took up the role on 1st September 2025, and I am very much looking forward to working with you all in the months and years ahead.

Many of you will know me from my time at Christian Brothers College, Cork, where I served as Assistant Principal I and Geography Teacher, with particular responsibilities for Digital Learning and School Self-Evaluation. Having also been a member of the CESC Management Committee, I have seen first-hand the incredible work carried out by the Centre to support teachers, SNAs, school leaders, and those working in the early childhood care and education sector.

It is a true privilege to now lead this work. I am eager to collaborate with the dedicated team here in the Centre and to continue working hand in hand with the Management Committee, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in the Centre’s growth and success. I also look forward to deepening our connections with colleagues across the national network of Education Support Centres of Ireland (ESCI). Together, we will build on these strong foundations to provide professional learning opportunities that are inclusive, innovative, and of the highest quality.

I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Seán Horgan, who has led CESC with distinction over the past five years. Seán’s steady leadership, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, has left an enduring legacy of resilience, collaboration, and innovation. His deep appreciation for Irish history, particularly the Civil War era and the foundation of the State, brought a rich dimension to his work. Seán ran our very successful local history summer courses, which were always fully booked and a highlight for many, combining great fun with valuable learning. On behalf of us all, I extend our warmest wishes to Seán, Lorraine, and their family for continued success and happiness in the future.

As I begin this new chapter, I look forward to engaging with you all, listening to your ideas, and building strong partnerships that will enhance the professional lives of educators within our Cork catchment, and beyond.

Is mór an onóir dom scríobh chugaibh don chéad uair mar Stiúrthóir ar Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Chorcaí, tar éis dom a bheith ceaptha ag an Aire Oideachais, Helen McEntee. Thosaigh mé go hoifigiúil sa ról ar an 1 Meán Fómhair 2025, agus táim ag tnúth go mór le bheith ag obair libh go léir sna míonna agus sna blianta amach romhainn.

Beidh aithne ag go leor agaibh orm ó mo thréimhse i gColáiste na mBráithre Críostaí, Corcaigh, áit ar fhreastail mé mar Phríomhoide Cúnta I agus mar Mhúinteoir Tíreolaíochta, le freagrachtaí ar leith as Foghlaim Dhigiteach agus Féinmheastóireacht Scoile. Ós rud é go rabhas im bhall de Choiste Bainistíochta Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Chorcaí (CESC) chomh maith, chonaic mé go pearsanta an obair dochreidte a dhéanann an tIonad chun tacú le múinteoirí, le Cúntóirí Riachtanas Speisialta, le ceannairí scoile, agus leo siúd atá ag obair in earnáil chúram agus oideachas na luath-óige.

Is fíor-phribhléid é an obair seo a threorú anois. Táim fonnmhar comhoibriú leis an bhfoireann dhíograiseach anseo san Ionad agus leanúint ar aghaidh ag obair lámh ar láimh leis an gCoiste Bainistíochta, a bhfuil a bhfís agus a dtiomantas ríthábhachtach i bhfás agus i rath an Ionaid. Táim ag tnúth chomh maith lenár naisc le comhghleacaithe ar fud líonra náisiúnta Ionaid Tacaíochta Oideachais na hÉireann (ESCI) a dhoimhniú. Le chéile, tógfaimid ar na bunchlocha láidre seo chun deiseanna foghlama gairmiúla a sholáthar atá cuimsitheach, nuálach agus den chaighdeán is airde.

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil chomh maith leis an Uasal Seán Horgan, a bhí i gceannas ar CESC le clú le cúig bliana anuas. D’fhág ceannaireacht sheasta Sheáin, go háirithe le linn dhúshláin gan fasach phaindéim Covid-19, oidhreacht bhuan athléimneachta, comhoibrithe agus nuálaíochta. Thug a mheas domhain ar stair na hÉireann, go háirithe ré an Chogaidh Chathartha agus bunú an Stáit, gné shaibhir dá chuid oibre. Reáchtáil Seán ár gcúrsaí samhraidh staire áitiúla rathúla, a bhí lán i gcónaí agus a bhí ina mbuaicphointe do go leor, ag nascadh spraoi iontach le foghlaim luachmhar. Thar ceann gach éinne, guím rath ó chroí ar Sheán, Lorraine, agus a dteaghlach go leana séan agus sonas iad amach anseo.

Agus mé ag tosú ar an gcaibidil nua seo, táim ag tnúth le bheith ag obair libh go léir, ag éisteacht le bhur smaointe, agus ag tógáil comhpháirtíochtaí láidre a fheabhsóidh saol gairmiúil oideoirí laistigh dár gceantar i gCorcaigh, agus níos faide anonn.

 

Le gach dea-ghuí

Edmond Hussey

Stiúrthóir | Director

Cork Drama Meitheal

 

 

 

Cork Drama Meitheal is an offshoot of Cork Arts Meitheal. 15 or so teachers meet three times a year in Terms 2 and 3 (2026). We explore a variety of drama approaches and look to learning and teaching of drama in the primary classroom. We explore the latest policies in drama. To read the Arts Education Specification (2025), please click here. Our work is practical, playful and purposeful. All our events are based in Cork Education Support Centre.

 

Meitheal 1. Drama workshop. Our first Meitheal was based on the South American folktale ‘The Hairy Toe’. It was great fun! Sociable! Teachers left with lots of resources.

Meitheal 2. This Drama Meitheal will take place on Tuesday March 24th  

Meitheal 3. This Drama Meitheal will take place on Tuesday April 14th. I looks at five basic drama strategies in three stories. 

Meitheal 4. This Drama Meitheal will take place on Tuesday May 12th. The theme will be selected beforehand by the teachers. 

 

Cork Drama Meitheal is facilitated by Dr. Helen Hallissey.

This is in conjunction with Cork Arts Meitheal, co-convened with Máire Goggin.

 

We started as a group of experienced teachers, passionate and creative, linked through a common thread – Cork. Our numbers grew over time.  We call our meeting by the name Meitheal. Over four Meitheal (2024-2025), our ‘way of working’ is true to the original spirit of the Irish Meitheal, a rural tradition where neighbours would come together to help one another in times of harvest, building or need. This same spirit is a core value of our Cork Arts Meitheal: educational and creative collaboration which embodies a collective effort, mutual support and shared purpose.

We give time, ideas and support without expecting a reward. At the heart of the Meitheal ethos is the belief that working together we can achieve far more, encapsulated in the Irish proverb - ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’. We are delighted to be housed at the historic Cork Education Support Centre. It truly is a beautiful venue. The Meitheal ethos fosters belonging, respect, and open professional dialogue. The group gatherings are characterised by activity, enjoyment, discussion, powerpoints, examples of work from the students, and the sharing of best practices, all underpinned by a mutual trust and a shared vision for inspiring young learners through the creative arts. From its foundation, our facilitators Helen and Máire have ensured that each member of the Meitheal has a role to play in bringing their teaching ideas and best practice to the gathering. This collective endeavour and shared responsibility has led to highly effective teaching and learning outcomes for our pupils.

At Cork Arts Meitheal, each member brings their own unique experiences and talents to the table, whether it is drama, music, storytelling or art. Further, teachers bring ideas for other subjects. We are prepared for an integrated curriculum. The members of the Meitheal are vibrant, energetic, dedicated, cooperative and hardworking primary teachers. Like the workings of a mosaic, we complement each other’s strengths. During the Meitheal, we forge new explanations of what is sometimes invisible, difficult to articulate about what we teach, fostering a deeper understanding.

Twenty years ago, Helen hosted Cork Arts Circle for a number of years. Today, we are every much as ambitious for new ideas, new events, new ways of sharing. The Meitheal is a unique approach to CPD. Cork Arts Meitheal exemplifies the power of teacher community, collaboration and creativity in education. Rooted deep in Irish tradition and driven by dedicated teachers, the Meitheal offers a model of a vibrant, supportive community of practice that enriches both teachers and hundreds of pupils. As we continue our journey, we hope to nurture the next generations of artists and learners, facilitated by the quiet but powerful strength of joyful Meitheal.

Dr. Helen Hallissey taught for more than 30 years, holding a post of responsibility in Music and Drama at Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig. She facilitates drama workshops, is a regular contributor to Intouch (INTO monthly magazine) and frequently presents at drama and education conferences. Her PhD explored creative writing (students as playwrights), winning Helen a John Coolahan Award for Research.

Máire Goggin has been a classroom teacher for over 15 years (St. Luke’s, Montenotte). She is an e-tutor with OIDE and has a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with Hibernia College. Máire is a creative teacher. She has a special interest in story through the arts. Recently, Maire has been exploring film-making with her class on their imaginative project based on Shandon Bells. 

Features of Cork Arts Meitheal

  • This is a co-op where teachers are willing to swap resources, work samples, classroom management ideas.
  • It is highly practical and hands-on.
  • It provides an opportunity to discuss issues regarding teaching the arts.
  • It provides an opportunity to listen to like-minded teachers, to their ideas and stories, to inspire and be inspired by them.
  • Each Meitheal will be based on a topic or story. It will involve Drama ideas, Visual Arts ideas, Music ideas, Film ideas based on that agreed topic/story.
  • You will leave with resources to take back to your classroom and your work colleagues.
  • We will build one another’s teaching capacity and establish Cork Education Support Centre as a centre of excellence in the arts.
  • We will meet once this term and twice in both Terms 2 and 3 at Cork Education Support Centre.
  • It will be a sociable 'Are you going to the Meitheal'?

Feedback

  • Inspired by the new ideas, it makes me look forward to going to school the next day
  • 3 aspects of the arts on the same story
  • The practical nature of the workshop. Physical samples of work. PPT presentation from real classrooms.
  • I love the concept of teachers sharing ideas.

Past photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/JL7eoo49a5rcVpUj9

Are you going to the Meitheal?

Dates:

Tuesday the 13th January - 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Tuesday the 14th April - 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Tuesday the 12th May - 7.00pm to 9.00pm

(Primary Teachers Only)

Venue: Cork Education Support Centre, The Rectory, Western Road, Mardyke, Cork T12KC86

Dates and registration below.

 

 

Cork Drama Meitheal is an offshoot of Cork Arts Meitheal. 15 or so teachers meet three times a year in Terms 2 and 3 (2026). We explore a variety of drama approaches and look to learning and teaching of drama in the primary classroom. We explore the latest policies in drama. To read the Arts Education Specification (2025), please click here. Our work is practical, playful and purposeful. All our events are based in Cork Education Support Centre.

Meitheal 1. Drama workshop. Our first Meitheal was based on the South American folktale ‘The Hairy Toe’. It was great fun! Sociable! Teachers left with lots of resources.

Meitheal 2. This Drama Meitheal will take place on Tuesday April 14th Tit looks at five basic drama strategies in three stories. 

Meitheal 3. This Drama Meitheal will take place on Tuesday April 14th and Tuesday May 12. The theme will be selected beforehand by the teachers. 

International Workshop. Our second event is an international workshop on Mantle of the Expert. Three experts on Mantle will present three different mantles on Feb 28th 2026 (10am – 2.30pm). If you wish to register, please click here.

Cork Drama Meitheal is facilitated by Dr. Helen Hallissey.

This is in conjunction with Cork Arts Meitheal, co-convened with Máire Goggin.

 

 

We started as a group of experienced teachers, passionate and creative, linked through a common thread – Cork. Our numbers grew over time.  We call our meeting by the name Meitheal. Over four Meitheal (2024-2025), our ‘way of working’ is true to the original spirit of the Irish Meitheal, a rural tradition where neighbours would come together to help one another in times of harvest, building or need. This same spirit is a core value of our Cork Arts Meitheal: educational and creative collaboration which embodies a collective effort, mutual support and shared purpose.

We give time, ideas and support without expecting a reward. At the heart of the Meitheal ethos is the belief that working together we can achieve far more, encapsulated in the Irish proverb - ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’. We are delighted to be housed at the historic Cork Education Support Centre. It truly is a beautiful venue. The Meitheal ethos fosters belonging, respect, and open professional dialogue. The group gatherings are characterised by activity, enjoyment, discussion, powerpoints, examples of work from the students, and the sharing of best practices, all underpinned by a mutual trust and a shared vision for inspiring young learners through the creative arts. From its foundation, our facilitators Helen and Máire have ensured that each member of the Meitheal has a role to play in bringing their teaching ideas and best practice to the gathering. This collective endeavour and shared responsibility has led to highly effective teaching and learning outcomes for our pupils.

At Cork Arts Meitheal, each member brings their own unique experiences and talents to the table, whether it is drama, music, storytelling or art. Further, teachers bring ideas for other subjects. We are prepared for an integrated curriculum. The members of the Meitheal are vibrant, energetic, dedicated, cooperative and hardworking primary teachers. Like the workings of a mosaic, we complement each other’s strengths. During the Meitheal, we forge new explanations of what is sometimes invisible, difficult to articulate about what we teach, fostering a deeper understanding.

Twenty years ago, Helen hosted Cork Arts Circle for a number of years. Today, we are every much as ambitious for new ideas, new events, new ways of sharing. The Meitheal is a unique approach to CPD. Cork Arts Meitheal exemplifies the power of teacher community, collaboration and creativity in education. Rooted deep in Irish tradition and driven by dedicated teachers, the Meitheal offers a model of a vibrant, supportive community of practice that enriches both teachers and hundreds of pupils. As we continue our journey, we hope to nurture the next generations of artists and learners, facilitated by the quiet but powerful strength of joyful Meitheal.

Dr. Helen Hallissey taught for more than 30 years, holding a post of responsibility in Music and Drama at Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig. She facilitates drama workshops, is a regular contributor to Intouch (INTO monthly magazine) and frequently presents at drama and education conferences. Her PhD explored creative writing (students as playwrights), winning Helen a John Coolahan Award for Research.

Máire Goggin has been a classroom teacher for over 15 years (St. Luke’s, Montenotte). She is an e-tutor with OIDE and has a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with Hibernia College. Máire is a creative teacher. She has a special interest in story through the arts. Recently, Maire has been exploring film-making with her class on their imaginative project based on Shandon Bells. 

Features of Cork Arts Meitheal

  • This is a co-op where teachers are willing to swap resources, work samples, classroom management ideas.
  • It is highly practical and hands-on.
  • It provides an opportunity to discuss issues regarding teaching the arts.
  • It provides an opportunity to listen to like-minded teachers, to their ideas and stories, to inspire and be inspired by them.
  • Each Meitheal will be based on a topic or story. It will involve Drama ideas, Visual Arts ideas, Music ideas, Film ideas based on that agreed topic/story.
  • You will leave with resources to take back to your classroom and your work colleagues.
  • We will build one another’s teaching capacity and establish Cork Education Support Centre as a centre of excellence in the arts.
  • We will meet once this term and twice in both Terms 2 and 3 at Cork Education Support Centre.
  • It will be a sociable 'Are you going to the Meitheal'?

Feedback

  • Inspired by the new ideas, it makes me look forward to going to school the next day
  • 3 aspects of the arts on the same story
  • The practical nature of the workshop. Physical samples of work. PPT presentation from real classrooms.
  • I love the concept of teachers sharing ideas.

Past photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/JL7eoo49a5rcVpUj9

Are you going to the Meitheal?

Dates:

Tuesday the 13th January - 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Tuesday the 14th April - 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Tuesday the 12th May - 7.00pm to 9.00pm

(Primary Teachers Only)

Venue: Cork Education Support Centre, The Rectory, Western Road, Mardyke, Cork T12KC86

 

 

 

ESCI 50th Anniversary Celebration

We were delighted to attend the ESCI 50th Anniversary celebration in Croke Park on the evening of 7th November 2023 alongside Minister Norma Foley.

It was a wonderful evening acknowledging the history of the Education Centre Network and looking to a future in which we continue to support the educational needs of our communities.

 

   

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