Join us for an inspiring conversation with Caron McCaffrey Director General of the Irish Prison Service, who will reflect on leadership, change, and the role of education in shaping the future of justice in Ireland.

Event details:
Wednesday 3rd December, 18:00–19:00
Carnegie Library, Dún Laoghaire

The discussion with IADT’s Dr Tina Kinsella, Strategic Research Lead for Elevate will offer a rare insight into the human realities of the prison system and the possibilities for building a more inclusive and forward-looking society.

About the Speakers

Caron McCaffrey

As Director General of the Irish Prison Service (IPS), Caron McCaffrey leads a national service operating 13 prisons, employing over 3,500 staff, and managing an annual budget of €525 million. Under her leadership, the IPS has strengthened its commitment to safe and secure custody, dignity of care, and prisoner rehabilitation. Caron has championed lifelong learning, expanded access programmes, and introduced initiatives in social enterprise, employment pathways, and apprenticeship opportunities for people in custody. With over twenty years of experience in the Justice sector, Caron has held leadership roles across communications, HR, finance, estates, and corporate services prior to her appointment as Director General. Her career exemplifies innovation, public service, and a deep commitment to transformation within the justice system.

Dr Tina Kinsella

Dr Tina Kinsella is a scholar and academic leader, specialising in contemporary art practice, visual culture, gender studies, and feminist theory. She is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies at Trinity College Dublin and a Fellow of GradCAM at Technological University Dublin. She is Irish Principal Investigator on the research project, ‘Feminist Art Making Histories’, which is funded by the Irish Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK. Her research critically explores the intersections of artistic practice, visual culture, and socio-political contexts, with a particular focus on gender, embodiment, affect, and maternal aesthetics. She investigates how art functions as a form of political activism and a mode of thinking, engaging deeply with themes of visibility, memory, and social justice.

This event is free, but booking is required. Register here

The Carnegie Conversations series is a year-round programme of events designed to connect audiences with leading experts across a wide range of fields. The series welcomes influential voices from the worlds of Culture, Business, Community, Sustainability, Social Inclusion, and the Arts.