Current job: Director, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology What school did you attend? I was a 'Presentation boarder' in Tuam. The Sawdoctors have captured a picture of this vanished species

Hidden talents at school? Looking for sightings of the lads in St Jarlath's

Best and worst subject? English and sewing

Most inspirational teacher and why? Mother Xavier. She made language, in and of itself, a source of fascination

Did you go to college? English and History at University College Galway

What's the best thing about the Irish education system? We still attach a high value to educational achievement

What's the worst thing about the Irish education system? We are poor at music and art education and I feel this deficit more acutely as time goes by. We are not dealing with the serious matter of young male disengagement with education