Ruairí McKiernan is a bestselling author, award-winning social innovator, , Fulbright scholar, speaker, charity founder, campaigner, and podcast host. He is also a mental health advocate and practitioner with 20 years' experience across a range of areas including health promotion, counselling, coaching, men's development and mindfulness.
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Ruairí McKiernan is a multi award-winning social innovator, campaigner, consultant, author, and speaker. In 2012, Ruairí was appointed to the Council of State by President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, where he served a 7-year term. A business graduate and Fulbright scholar, Ruairí is the founder and former CEO of the pioneering SpunOut.ie youth organisation, a founding board member of the Uplift civic action movement, and part of the founding team behind Gaelic Voices For Change. Ruairí is also the host of the chart-topping Love and Courage podcast and host of the Creative Souls of Clare podcast. He is a regular contributor to the media on issues surrounding societal wellbeing and leadership and community engagement. Ruairí's book Hitching for Hope - a Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland is an Irish Times number 1 bestseller and is published internationally in 2020 by US publishers Chelsea Green. Ruairí volunteers with a number of community and campaign groups and serves on the Trócaire board committee for public engagement. He is originally from Cootehill, County Cavan and now lives on the west coast of Clare with his wife Susan Quirke who is a musician and meditation teacher.
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“This book by Ruairí McKiernan is in the fine tradition of a search for what is most valuable in the different spaces of Ireland and how they might help us craft a new way forward together. Empathic in approach, well written, and crucially, it offers hope.” - Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland.
Named as one of the top changemakers in Ireland by the Ashoka global foundation
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Podcast
Ruairí is the host of the chart-topping Love and Courage podcast which features inspirational voices for change from around the world. Listen on Spotify and on all main podcast apps. 
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Consultancy / Projects
Ruairí works with individuals, community groups, non-profits and companies and companies around the world. Book consultancy and mentoring sessions online. 
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Book
Ruairí is currently embarking upon a virtual world tour of bestselling new book Hitching for Hope. Find out more and order signed copies directly. 
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"In these times of great change we can be the authors of new stories, the dreamers of new dreams, the builders of new realities.”
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Irish Times No.1 Bestseller
‘Ruairí takes note of what many of us sometimes fail to see.’ — Christy Moore
‘..an easy and uplifting read.’ —Peggy Seeger ‘An authentic and utterly compelling narrative.” —Brian O’Connell ‘This is a tale that will resonate all over the world.’ —Bill McKibben |
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Watch Ruairí's TEDx talk
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A New Ireland Rising
A New Ireland Rising is a short piece that was spoken on January 1st 2016 at the First Fornight festival. Acclaimed musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire accompanied the reading of the piece. It was later made into a video by well-known filmmaker Myles O'Reilly. The piece was intended to share a reflection and an invitation surrounding the 100th anniversary of Ireland's 1916 Rising. It ended up being viewed tens of thousands of times across national newspaper websites, social media, YouTube and elsewhere. |
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