Our panel of speakers


Patrick Rogers, Theologian

trained in Rome (theology; biblical studies); and in Dublin (marriage counselling). With a team of qualified co-workers, has led pre-marriage courses over many years. He speaks on Marriage Law in Ireland and on Marriage in the Church, to help couples plan their wedding readings, music etc. He leads our course by the standards for Catholic pre-marriage courses.

Angela O'Rourke, M.A. in Theology and Pastoral Ministry;

trained in marriage guidance and worked with ACCORD for many years. Angela has lectured on the theology of marriage in the Milltown Institute and All Hallows College and has given retreats in secondary schools. She is a founder member of the "Together" course and presents the session on intimacy, sexuality and family planning. As a mother of five she brings a realistic and humorous perspective to her session.

Berna Brennan, Therapist and Relationship Counsellor.

trained in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Accord and at Trinity College Dublin. Berna did two further years of specialised training in sensory-motor psychotherapy. Certified in Stress Management, she lectures counselling and psychotherapy students in DBS School of Arts and has over twenty years experience in helping individuals and couples. She also provides counselling supervision to fellow professionals.

Brian McDonnell, Trained and worked as counsellor with Accord

A former CEO to the Irish Aviation Authority, Brian for years served as a counsellor with ACCORD. A very popular speaker on our "Together" course, his communication session blends a sparkle of humour with the realistic wisdom of long experience in marriage counselling .

Gillford D'Souza, M.Sc., BA., Counsellor and Psychotherapist.

Accredited IACP Practitioner who has worked in counselling for over twenty years. Besides working with individuals and couples he facilitates workshops and provides supervision and training for professionals in counselling and psychotherapy. He is the director of Awakenings, a centre for Human Development and Healing, at 3 Dodder Park Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.

John Murphy, a Marriage and Relationship counsellor.

With a Masters in Psychology and Theology and a Masters in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), John is a Certified Practitioner in Reality Therapy, an effective and common sense approach to many of life's problems. John has worked in counselling for many years and as a trainer and facilitator for counselling personnel. .

The Life Together Panel.

We have a panel of married couples who in turn lead the session on Life Together. They wind up the course by frankly telling their personal experience of married and family life, inviting questions and comments about it. Their session is much appreciated by our engaged couples for its realistic, down-to-earth glimpses into how others enjoy and cope with the ups and downs of life together. It puts flesh and bones on many of the ideas aired by the other speakers.