To mark our 75th Anniversary, we are shining a light on some NCI alumni to showcase the amazing talent the College has produced throughout the years.
Paul McAuliffe TD, Fianna Fáil Party Whip
Alumni Spotlight: Paul McAuliffe
BA (Honours) in Accounting & Human Resource Management (1999)
Fianna Fáil Party Whip and PP Councillor Liaison
TD for Dublin North West & 350th Lord Mayor of Dublin
About Paul
Paul exemplifies the generational impact of National College of Ireland. His grandfather, who was a trade union official, was the first to attend what was then the Catholic Workers College in the 1950s. This was followed by his aunt who returned to education after leaving school early and then Paul himself who was one of the first students to join NCI through the CAO. His brother also completed the Discover University programme which gives young people a taste of college life and is still offered today through our Early Learning Initiative.
Taking the learnings from his degree and the institutional values he connected with at NCI, Paul worked in industrial relations and human resources before moving to a career in politics. Having served on Dublin City Council for ten years, including as the 350th Lord Mayor in 2019, Paul is a member of Dáil Eireann where he represents Dublin North West. Alongside this, he acts as Fianna Fáil Party Whip and PP Councillor Liaison ensuring a collaborative approach to achieving the mission to continue moving Ireland forward.
His story is a true example of the power education can have on a family and society.
Looking Forward
Reflecting on NCI's place in the North East Inner City, Paul acknowledges the value of an educational institution here where the learning community includes people who may be the first in their family to attend third-level education and people who are getting second chances. As such, the values of NCI align well with the values of the local community which we are committed to protecting for future decades of learners.
"I want to make sure that National College of Ireland continues to grow and that more people get opportunities to do what I did which is what I'm about here at Leinster House."
Paul has proudly represented National College of Ireland in Dublin City Council and as Lord Mayor and continues to do so in Dáil Eireann.
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