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School PrincipalPaula O' Connor
Bachelor of Education, MSc. i nGnó agus Teicneolaíocht an Eolais, Post Graduate Diploma in School Development and Planning, Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Education. Paula was appointed Principal to Merlin Woods Primary School prior to the school opening in September 2010. She believes passionately in Merlin Woods Primary School and its importance at the centre of a vibrant young community. Prior to taking up her position as principal, Paula was seconded as a Curriculum advisor with the Department of Education and Skills, working as a DEIS Advisor to schools and teachers in the areas of literacy, numeracy and whole school planning for their own continuous professional development. Paula is trained as a tutor in the programmes of Ready, Set, Go - Maths, First Steps Reading, First Steps Writing and First Steps Speaking and Listening. She was also the first tutor in Galway for Aistear, the infant curriculum framework. She takes great pride in bringing these programmes to Merlin Woods Primary School and encouraging continuous professional development amongst the school staff themselves. |
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Deputy PrincipalElaine O'Malley
A member of staff from the start, Elaine has thoroughly enjoyed the fast-moving pace of growth and development that we have had in Merlin Woods. Having been Acting Principal for four years in her previous school, Elaine’s experience in school management has been a huge asset to our school. She has led the school participation in the Junior First Lego League (a junior engineering and robotics project) and strongly advocates the use of ICT as a teaching and learning methodology. Elaine was instrumental in establishing the school website. |
School Staff
Michelle Conneely Learn More
B.A., Post Graduate Diploma in Education Michelle joined the Merlin Woods Team in September 2011. She currently teaches in a learning support environment. Michelle has previously spent 6 years teaching in a school in Galway City. She has taught a variety of classes during this time. Michelle regularly attends courses in ICT and P.E. to upskill and assist her teaching. She enjoys sport and teaches athletics as an after-school activity. Michelle co-ordinated our Active School Flag project. 
Amanda Connell Learn More
B.A., Higher Diploma in Primary Education Amanda joined Merlin Woods Primary School in September 2011. She has taught in both an EAL position, as well as in the mainstream. An accomplished Camogie player, Amanda enjoys sharing her skills with our pupils and helps run the after school hurling club. 
Michelle Murphy Learn MOre
BBS, Post Graduate Diploma in Education Michelle joined the Merlin Woods team in September 2013, having spent four years teaching in a school in Galway city. She enjoys capturing a child's imagination and fostering their innate sense of curiosity by giving them opportunities to learn through guided discovery, exploration, experimentation and play. Having previously coached, directed and helped a class to win first place in a national Irish drama competition (Féile Scoildrámaíochta), she believes in creating meaningful learning experiences that will help children grow, learn and gain confidence. Her special interests are IT, drama and sport. Michelle is delighted to be part of the very talented team in Merlin Woods Primary School. 
Denise Cooney Learn More
B.A. in Social Studies, Higher Diploma in Primary Education Denise joined our staff in November 2013, having over four years teaching experience in schools in County Sligo and is currently teaching in one of the newly established Special Classes for Children with Autism. She enjoys art, drama and sport, especially badminton. She is currently undergoing continuous professional development in the area of Play Therapy. She is proud to share her skills with the pupils of Merlin Woods Primary School. 
Sinéad Kivlehan learn more
B.A., Higher Diploma in Primary Education Since qualifying from Hibernia College in 2014, Sinéad has taught in the mainstream classroom and as a learning support teacher in Merlin Woods. Sinéad has an interest in literacy and reading and is currently completing the Reading Recovery programme. She loves art and enjoys running the after school art club in our school. She is also one of our link teachers for the Yellow Flag programme. |
Nicola Corcoran Learn More
Bachelor of Education Nicola has been teaching in Merlin Woods Primary School since January 2011. She began teaching in the newly established Autism Class when it opened in September 2011. Nicola has completed a selection of CPD courses in the areas of Autism, the teaching of children with Special Needs and Behaviour Management with Hibernia College, ICEP and Special Educational Support services. In her free time Nicola enjoys continuing her Professional Development in areas such as Drama, Music, Sport, Literacy and Numeracy. Nicola is actively involved in community development in the Good Shepherd Parish where she is part of the team for Project 2022. 
Bernie Kelly Learn MOre
B.A., Higher Diploma in Education, Higher Diploma in Primary Education Bernie joined Merlin Woods Primary School in September 2013, having spent five years in Co. Clare and three years at second level in Co. Kildare. Bernie has a particular interest in mindfulness and the importance of mental health and attends professional development courses in this area. She is an avid sports enthusiast, representing her County in Ladies football. Bernie loves sharing her love of sports, music and drama with the pupils and staff of Merlin Woods Primary School. 
Caitríona O' Donnell Learn MOre
Bachelor of Education Caitríona joined the Merlin Woods staff in September 2013. She is enthusiastic to work within such a strong and vibrant community together with parents, children and staff. Since graduating in 2009 from Mary Immaculate College, she has worked in L.S/R.T, Mainstream. She is constantly developing her Personal Development Skills and has completed a month long TEFL course in The Bridge Mills , Galway. She enjoys sport, reading and travelling in her spare time. We wish Caitríona well on her current career break. 
Claire McNamee Learn more
Bachelor of Education Claire joined Merlin Woods in September 2015, teaching Fourth and Fifth Class and has experience in many teaching settings from different schools in Galway. She has a keen interest in sport and music and enjoys sharing her skills with the children in her class and in the school. Claire is involved in setting up the first Tin Whistle club in Merlin 
Donna McGough Learn more
B.Sc. I.T., Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Education Donna joined the staff of Merlin Woods in September 2016. She previously worked in schools in Dublin, Clare and Galway, gaining experience in mainstream, learning support and EAL positions. She has an interest in genealogy and enjoys playing badminton. |
Lisa Duignan Learn More
B.A., Post Graduate Diploma in Education. Lisa joined Merlin Woods Primary School in September 2011. Her extensive experience in teaching has been an asset to the school. She has taught in both London and here in Galway. She is our Green Schools co-ordinator and proudly accepted our first green flag. She also teaches Irish dancing as an after-school activity. Lisa regularly attends courses to continue her professional development. Lisa is delighted to be actively involved in the community development of our Good Shepherd Parish. 
Niamh O' Toole Learn MOre
Bachelor of Education Niamh joined the Merlin Woods Team in September 2013 having previously spent three years teaching in Galway, where she has taught a variety of class levels. She has completed a selection of CPD courses in the areas of ICT, Literacy, Numeracy and Gaeilge. She enjoys continuing her professional development in her free time. Niamh is interested in sport and drama and has experience coaching teams in football and athletics as well as running extra-curricular activities. 
Aisling Costelloe Learn More
B.A., Post Graduate Diploma in Education Aisling completed her teacher training in London in 2006. Since then she has taught in both London and Oranmore, Co. Galway. She enjoys travelling and has an avid interest in art/craft and drama. She regularly attends professional development courses to up skill and assist her teaching. Aisling was delighted to join the Merlin Woods team, in September 2013, as one of our EAL (English as an additional language) teachers and currently teaches in the mainstream classroom. 
Danielle Rock Learn More
B.A., Postgraduate Diploma in Education Danielle teaches Second Class in Merlin Woods Primary School. She helps to run the After School Hurling Club and has been instrumental in establishing a school choir since she began working here in September 2012. 
Aoife Fallon learn more
Bachelor of Education Aoife joined the staff of Merlin Woods in September 2015, having qualified from Mary Immaculate College in 2013 and has worked previously in a variety of schools around Galway. Aoife qualified as a mentor with the NIPT for Newly Qualified Teachers in 2014 and has also completed numerous CPD courses. She has a flare for sport and music and thoroughly enjoys coaching teams and teaching the tin whistle. Aoife is very excited about joining the wonderful and enthusiastic staff of Merlin Woods and working with the fantastic children in our school. |
Yvonne Greally learn more
B.A., Higher Diploma in Primary Education Yvonne was ecstatic to join the wonderful team in Merlin Woods in September 2016. Yvonne has previously worked in numerous schools around Galway and has taught all class levels in single and multi-grade classrooms, as well as in learning support and resource settings. She has a keen interest in the areas of P.E., Literacy, Art, S.E.S.E., I.C.T., and S.P.H.E.She has completed a wide variety of C.P.D. courses to continue her professional development and more recently has completed training with the Health Promoting Schools. She has a strong interest in running extra-curricular activities and has experience in training and coaching teams. |
Laura Mitchell learn more
Bachelor of Education and Psychology Laura was delighted to join the Merlin Woods team in September 2016. She qualified from Mary Immaculate College in 2016 with a dual degree in Primary Teaching and Psychology. She has a keen interest in promoting fitness and encouraging healthy living among children. She is a green schools activist and is currently helping Merlin Woods achieve their third green flag. Laura has won a number of camogie All-Ireland medals, representing Galway, both at adult and underage level and has a strong interest in running extra-curricular activities to train and coach children. Other areas of interest include ICT, Numeracy, Art, Drama and SPHE. |
Ann-Marie Connell learn more
B.A, Postgraduate Diploma in Education Ann-Marie joined Merlin Woods as a Resource Teacher in September 2015, having previously spent 7 years teaching in both Kildare & Galway. She has taught a variety of classes during this time. Ann-Marie has completed a selection of CPD courses in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy & Special Education. She is a First Steps Reading Tutor and regularly attends courses to enrich her teaching. Ann-Marie has a special interest in Art and PE and is delighted to be able to share her skills with the wonderful children at Merlin Woods. |
Oonagh Commons learn more
B.Ed., H. Dip. (Special Education) Oonagh joined the staff of Merlin Woods in September 2015. She graduated from St. Patrick's College of Education, Dublin, in 2007. She spent seven years teaching in a boys' school in Dublin City and one year teaching in a small school in County Galway. She has also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education, at St. Patrick's College. She enjoys art and P.E., especially basketball. Every year she attends professional development courses to continue to develop her teaching skills. 
Carol Ward Learn More
B.A. in Applied Social Studies in Social Care - Special Needs Assistant Carol has been a part of the team since October 2012. She has vast experience working with people with special needs. She has worked for the Brothers of Charity for the several years and continues to work for the organisation on a relief basis. She has had continuous training and development throughout her employment and education. Some of the courses and training she has completed are; Studio lll ( Challenging Behaviour), First Aid, Client Protection, Manual Handling, Medication Training and Record and Report Writing. Carol is passionate about helping all of our pupils reach their full potential both educationally and socially within school. 
Damien Nolan Learn more
FETAC5&6 Special Needs Assistant, FETAC5 in Healthcare Damien joined the Merlin Woods Primary School team in September 2014. He has vast experience of working with children with special educational needs. He also works in Enable Ireland as a personal assistant on a part-time basis. In 2013, he completed the FETAC Level 5 in Healthcare and recently completed FETAC Level 5 and 6 in Special Needs Assisting. Damien is committed and passionate about helping all children in the school to reach their full potential. 
Eileen Lydon Learn more
Eileen joined the team at Merlin Woods in September 2015. She has extensive experience in pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, working with children with various special needs. Eileen has had continuous training and development throughout her employment and education, including courses such as Studio III (Challenging Behaviour), First Aid, Manual Handling, Aistear, Lámh sign language and JAWS Screen Reader for the visually impaired. Eileen is passionate about helping all of our pupils reach their potential, both educationally and socially. |
Melissa Donohue learn more
B.A., Postgraduate Diploma in Education Melissa completed her teacher training in England in 2012 and since then has gained experience in mainstream teaching and special education teaching in England and Ireland. Melissa is fully committed to on-going professional development as a primary teacher and has completed a comprehensive list of additional courses in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy & Special Education. She has a keen interest in sport, drama and ICT and enjoys enhancing her lessons through active learning and interactive activates. Melissa has recently completed a continuous professional course in Mindfulness, Well-being and Resilience for Teachers and Pupils and is delighted to be involved in leading the ‘Mind Up’ program in school. 
Emer Hughes Learn more
B.Sc., FETAC 5 in Special Needs Assistant Training Emer joined the Merlin Woods staff in February 2013. She has many years experience in a primary school setting, working with children with various special educational needs.In her free time she enjoys volunteering as an adult literacy tutor and caring for people with special needs in the community. Emer is delighted to be part of the highly skilled team in Merlin Woods Primary School and is committed to helping all children to reach their full potential. 
Eilis McEvoy Learn more
FETAC5 in Special Needs Assistant, FETAC6 in Child Psychology Eilis joined the Merlin Woods team in November 2014 as a special needs assistant. Eilis has a broad range of experience working with children with special needs, including being a member of the Galway Autism Partnership. With a keen interest in music, art and gardening, as well as a diploma in design, Eilis loves to share her artistic skills with the children in our school. She is also a scout leader with the beavers and is interested in providing a fun method of learning, through play and different mediums. |