Dazzled aka Karen McCarthy: After completing both her undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Philosophy and Politics in U.C.D., Karen McCarthy spent time living and working in
Paris. She subsequently lived for many years in Boston where she worked for a consulting firm specializing in global economic data and expatriate mobility. She returned to
Dublin in 1999. Having three gifted children changed the focus of her career and since returning home she has dedicated much of her time to learning how giftedness fits into the Irish education system. She has built a comprehensive library of studies and books on giftedness and has extensive knowledge of the field. In September 2014, Karen completed an MSc in Cognitive Science in U.C.D. Alongside volunteering both in the community and her children's schools, Karen is happy to share her knowledge of giftedness with other parents and educators. A fluent French speaker, she spends as much time as she can get away with in south-west
France!
Frazzled aka Catherine Riordan: Having attained a medical degree from U.C.D. and a fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of
England, Catherine Riordan's career in urology was progressing very smoothly. Then she had two children. The difficulties of raising two gifted children within the Irish education system led her to become an active parent advocate. She was a director of the
National Parents Council Post Primary for a time and also played an active role in the successful lobbying of government for a review of the
National Anti-Bullying Guidelines. She co-founded both this local support group and, more recently,
Gifted Ireland. Through her professional experience as a doctor, she has seen how important it is for individuals to understand their giftedness and how it influences their interactions with the world. For many previously unidentified gifted adults, it is finding this piece of their personal jigsaw which helps them to make sense of their lives.
Between them, Karen and Catherine
have years of experience of dealing with the particular challenges of raising gifted children within the Irish education system. Following the demise of the Irish Association for Gifted Children in May 2009, they joined together to found GAS, a Gifted Advocacy and Support group for the South Dublin/Wicklow area. Through this, they share their knowledge and experience with other parents and teachers of gifted learners. They are available to speak to any groups of parents or teachers who would like to know more about the area of giftedness or to help establish support groups in other areas.
