Michael is a writer and activist who grew up in the stiflingly Catholic Ireland of the 1960s and 1970s. He and his late wife Anne Holliday campaigned to promote secular values in the Republic of Ireland, and cofounded the New Consensus peace group to campaign against terrorism and for democratic values in Northern Ireland. Michael has addressed the United Nations, and spoken in a dozen countries. His writing includes the Christmas comedy number one bestseller Dear John, Ireland on the Internet, and the comedy Irish musical I, Keano. He was given the international atheist of the year award at the 2017 International Days of Atheism conference in Warsaw.
Originally from the UK, Katie has been a proud Corkonian since 1999 where she is mum to two teenagers, works with a disability charity and is also a part-time student. She became interested in the movement towards separation of church and state after her daughter started primary school and she learnt about the privileged position religion has in our education system. She is passionate about advocacy, equality and human rights, and much of her 30+ years’ experience in administration has been in the charity and community sectors. In her free time her interests include podcasts, mental health and wellbeing, comedy and 80s music.
Muiris inherited the sceptical gene from his mother, recalling he would never forget her facial expression the day his father announced to the family “We’re Saying The Rosary Every Night”! A few years later, as an altar boy, his soutane and surplice (the costume) were gone from his locker when about to serve mass! Confused and helpless, he ran from the church, rushed home and only told his mother. The start of a journey! Muiris is a former teacher and civil servant; in the latter had roles in accounts and finance, and achieved a Diploma in Finance (Institute of Public Administration). His interests include science, history, cinema and world music. Some of his activities are travel, tennis and banjo.
Jane is a mother and activist who for years challenged religious discrimination against her children in state funded Irish schools, before becoming human rights officer for Atheist Ireland and continuing the same work for other parents. Jane has campaigned for decades on secular issues including the right to divorce, marriage equality, and abortion. She prepares legal and political submissions for Atheist Ireland, and has addressed the United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE, and various Oireachtas committees. She was given the atheist and feminist of the year award at the 2019 International Days of Atheism conference in Warsaw.
Eileen serves on the committee of Atheist Ireland, where she supports advocacy efforts promoting secularism, equality and freedom of belief. With a strong background in community engagement and social justice work, she brings practical experience in representing individuals, working with public bodies, and strengthening community supports. She is passionate about ensuring that public policy is inclusive, rights-based and respectful of all beliefs and none.
Born and raised in the seaport of Hull, Chris soon became aware of discrimination and inequality. A close special-needs relative suffered bullying. People were judged by their accent or class not their inherent humanity. He could not reconcile this with a loving god, nor leave it unchallenged. Moving to Dublin after university, he has worked and lived here for forty-five years and recently retired as a secondary teacher. Chris has campaigned against religious discrimination in schools and beyond, both as a member and officer of Atheist Ireland and of Ireland’s largest secondary teachers’ union, the ASTI. He continues to work for a secular education system and for equality and respect for all.