Sean O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Sean O'Connor is an Irish businessman and political activist. He is a co-founder of Rally Ireland, a round of the World rally Championship (WRC). In 2009 he joined the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE as Director of Strategy to assist in the staging of the first Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix. in 2011 he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Institute of Sports Research in the UAE the first such academic facility in the Gulf region.
O'Connor was the youngest person nominated to the Seanad Éireann
in 1982. He is a grandson of former Irish Taoiseach
Seán Lemass
and lectures in Political Marketing and Public Affairs Ethics at Dublin Institute of Technology
(DIT). He has been a long term campaigner for reform of the Irish Senate
and was a candidate for a University seat in the 2007 Senate elections on a reform platform.
In 2005 he launched Rally Ireland along with Ronan Morgan. It was the largest North-South sporting initiative ever undertaken. Research undertaken by the University of Ulster
has estimated that hosting the 2007 World Rally Championships (WRC) round was worth €46 million to the economy. In addition, this prestigious sporting series has a global annual TV audience of over 800 million people. Rally Ireland had over 240,000 spectators and a TV audience in 180 markets. Rally Ireland will be the opening round of the 2009 WRC series.
He was educated at Terenure College
, Dublin and played rugby for the SCT. He has a degree from DIT in marketing and a MA from Dublin City University
in political communications. He lives in Enniskerry
, County Wicklow
, with his wife and five children.
O'Connor was the youngest person nominated to the Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
in 1982. He is a grandson of former Irish Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Seán Lemass
Seán Lemass
Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966....
and lectures in Political Marketing and Public Affairs Ethics at Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
(DIT). He has been a long term campaigner for reform of the Irish Senate
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
and was a candidate for a University seat in the 2007 Senate elections on a reform platform.
In 2005 he launched Rally Ireland along with Ronan Morgan. It was the largest North-South sporting initiative ever undertaken. Research undertaken by the University of Ulster
University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
has estimated that hosting the 2007 World Rally Championships (WRC) round was worth €46 million to the economy. In addition, this prestigious sporting series has a global annual TV audience of over 800 million people. Rally Ireland had over 240,000 spectators and a TV audience in 180 markets. Rally Ireland will be the opening round of the 2009 WRC series.
He was educated at Terenure College
Terenure College
Terenure College is a Carmelites-run secondary school located in the Terenure area of Dublin, Ireland. The College was founded in 1860 and comprises a primary and secondary school. The school is part of the popular culture "Rugby Belt" or Leinster Schools Rugby playing institutions, having a strong...
, Dublin and played rugby for the SCT. He has a degree from DIT in marketing and a MA from Dublin City University
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
in political communications. He lives in Enniskerry
Enniskerry
Enniskerry is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. It had a population of 2,672 at the 2006 census.- Location :...
, County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, with his wife and five children.