Child Talks 2024

Our Child Talks 2024 host, Mark the Science Guy

Scientist and Broadcaster, Mark Langtry, aka Mark the Science Guy, will host Child Talks again this year.

Mark is the Head of Science at Explorium – Ireland’s National Science Centre. A Theoretical Physicist by background, Mark is a researcher, broadcaster and award-winning educational creator & producer of live educational stage shows and engaging STEM experiences, exhibitions & media. 

As a former international athlete, Mark is driven by a passion to ignite the curiosity in people of all ages and to provide everyone with the resources, opportunities and tools to develop their talents and abilities and achieve their potential.

Eoin our co-host and Child Talks 2023 speaker

Eoin Murphy will host this year’s Child Talks alongside Mark. A speaker at last year’s event, Eoin is a 17-year-old youth activist from County Mayo. Eoin is deeply passionate about equality and amplifying youth voices, and has represented Ireland both nationally and internationally, advocating for human rights and equality in places like Brussels and Budapest.

The Spark by the Lisdoonvarna Crew

The Lisdoonvarna Crew will perform their viral summer hit, The Spark, at this year’s Child Talks. Kada, Treasure, Trinity, Admen, Tuana, Elene and Mercy are aged 9-13 years old and began collaborating at their residence in Lisdoonvarna with young musicians from Cork City’s The Kabin in April 2024. They collaborated with producer Garry McCarthy to create ‘The Spark’ – an anthem for Cruinniú na nÓg 2024, which was recently long-listed for the 67th Grammy Awards.

Entertainment from magician, Cillian O’Connor

Magician Cillian O’Connor is a Guinness World Record Holder, Britain’s Got Talent Finalist, an Autism Awareness Key Speaker, and a talented performer.

Young magician Cillian is taking the world by storm with mesmerising performances and a passion for creating magic. He’s made headlines with his astounding appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, which garnered a whopping 500 million views online. Cillian’s recently reached new heights by breaking the World-Record title for the most magic tricks performed in one minute, and will appear in the 2025 edition of the famous collectors book. And he isn’t just about entertainment, Cillian’s also a passionate advocate for autism awareness and does regular talks and appearances for charity.

DJs Cillian and Rocco from Music Generation Dublin City

Cillian and Rocco are from 5th Class at O’Connell’s primary school, Dublin 1 and are delighted to open Child Talks again this year. They’re joined by their musician educator Orla Dwyer from Music Generation.

Rocco Law has been DJ’ig for one year with Music Generation Dublin City. His favourite thing about DJing – is using the loop effects. He loves his Playstation, is a big Man Utd fan and loves collecting Match Attax football cards.

Cillian Mooney Moloney has also been DJing for one year. He loves all types of music, but his favourite is house. His favourite thing about DJing is playing live! Cillian is an excellent footballer and loves nothing more than visiting Glasgow to see Celtic play.

Ben

Hi there! My name is Ben and I am 16 years old.

I live in Kildare with my mam in a single parent family.

I grew up without a dad and didn’t have a lot of support to help me understand my situation and why out of everyone in the world, I was the one who didn’t have a dad.
I’ve grown up now and have learned to embrace and accept that, but young children all over the world still don’t have the resources to help them better understand why they are in this situation and that if we help them early on, it can help them learn and grow knowing it’s ok to grow up with one parent.

Sarah Ann

My name is Sarah Ann and I joined Child Talks to emphasize the importance of recognizing and supporting young carers in society. Having first-hand experience caring for my sister, I understand the immense responsibility and emotional strength young carers develop, often at a very young age.

I believe it is crucial to raise awareness about the vital role young carers play, not just within our families but in the community as well. Through Child Talks, I hope to inspire greater empathy and support for young carers and encourage others not to give up when facing life’s challenges, which often come unexpectedly.

Anna

My name is Anna, I’m 17, and I’m from Newtown in County Kildare. I’ve loved every and any sport I’ve tried since I was very young, and I’m going to be talking about my experience as a girl in sport. I wanted to share my story so that I might encourage other girls facing difficulties to keep up the sport that they love because it can truly make a worlds difference in so many aspects of life.

Ronan

Hi my name is Ronan Coughlan and I’m 13 years old. I live in a small village called Oola in Co Limerick.

I would like to talk about what it’s like growing up as a neurodivergent child in rural Ireland, the difficulty kids like me and their families encounter when trying to access services.

I would also like to speak to my experience of being bullied and excluded throughout most of my primary school years and the importance of third spaces that are safe, accessible and inclusive for kids like me!

I want to prove how we belong, have value and deserve safety and joy in our childhood.

Bel

My name is Bel Nabulele and I am a young person from Dublin. I am really interested in equality and mental health activism. In my spare time, I’m usually studying or reading. I love to take extra long walks.

I signed up to take part in Child Talks to tell my story as simple as that. I love to chat. I want more people to be more aware of the real effects of things like racism, exclusion, bullying to name a few, and how it makes life, particularly school life, so much harder. Everyone hates school I get that but it doesn’t hurt to be nice.

Kids Court video from the students at Stonepark NS in Longford

When the students at Stonepark National School in Longford noticed that drivers were often driving way too fast outside their school, they wanted to do something about it to keep their school community safe.

Together with the local Gardaí and Longford County Council and with the help of their principal Dr Michael O’Sullivan, 6th class at Stonepark NS set up a ‘Kid’s Court’ at their school one day in September 2023. As young judges, the students asked the drivers if they knew that their speeding could have killed them or their friends on their way to school.

These young judges from Stonepark NS will feature in a video documentary at Child Talks 2024, where they’ll show how a brilliant idea helped to change driver behaviour and create further awareness of speeding past local schools.