About Rockbrook International

School programmes in Ireland

One of the Original Programme Providers in Ireland

Rockbrook International is the international office of Rockbrook Park School, a private secondary school in Dublin 16. It organises High School programmes in Ireland for foreign students. It was established in 1985 by Dr. David Nolan, the then principal of Rockbrook Park School. Since then it has built up a client base of prestigious schools throughout Spain, Italy and Latin America as well as with educational agents from all over the world.

Rockbrook is unique in that it is an educator as well as a provider. It acts as an international office for many local schools who participate in its programmes. It places its students in over forty primary and secondary schools, mainly in the South Dublin area but also in neighbouring counties such as Wicklow, Meath and Kildare.

It has five full time staff members working in a variety of different coordinating roles. Their goal is to ensure that Rockbrook students have the best possible experience while in Ireland and at the same time provide a professional and reliable service to the host families, local schools and any other stakeholders.

Our offices are located in a beautiful Georgian building on the grounds of Rockbrook Park School. Spanish and French are spoken fluently in the office. Rockbrook International is a proud member of IFEG, an organisation that safeguards the welfare of international students studying at schools, colleges and universities on the island of Ireland (www.ifeg.ie). It is also a certified Cambridge preparation centre.

A Professional Team

Our Team

General Manager

William O'Connor

William O’Connor became General Manager of Rockbrook International in 2019 when Dr David Nolan retired. By qualification he is an Engineer (BE, PhD), with a great interest in education.

He was Associate Professor in UCD and since his retirement he has continued his involvement in the university, most recently working on EIRSAT-1, the first Irish satellite.

Besides Engineering, he loves tennis, guitar playing, languages, cycling, and the philosophy of science. He also loves a good joke.

Manager

Luis González

Luis Gonzalez is originally from Venezuelan but has fallen in love with life in Ireland. He has been working in Rockbrook International since January 2003. He has qualifications in Business Management. Luis has been involved in the education sector for more than 25 years.

He became Manager of Rockbrook International in 2005 and has worked hard to maintain great relationships with current clients as well as diversifying the business to new global markets which has seen Rockbrook increase their presence in Asia and Latin America.

Luis likes to travel and enjoys hiking in the Dublin Mountains.

Senior Student Coordinator & Strategist (Dublin)

Michael McCarthy

Michael has been working in Rockbrook for nearly two decades. His primary role is as a senior student coordinator but he also works in marketing, student recruitment and developing new business strategies. He also organises the English programme on Saturdays and coordinates the Cambridge exams.

He has a science degree from University College Dublin as well as various professional diplomas in computer science from other institutions. He has spent several years living in Spain and Canada (Quebec). As a result he speaks fluent Spanish and has a good grasp of French. Outside of work Michael likes playing football, running, making pizzas and doing long treks in the Alps and other mountain ranges.

Senior Student Coordinator & Events (Dublin)

Stephanie Farrell

Stephanie is a Senior Language Programme Coordinator and has dedicated her business expertise to Rockbrook International for nearly two decades. Having studied her degree of International Business and Spanish in both Dublin City University and ICADE, Madrid; Stephanie’s love of business and languages motivates her to excel within Rockbrook International. A keen lover of theatre and musicals. She is either rehearsing for, or starring as the ‘Leading Lady’ on Dublin stages. In her spare time, Stephanie likes keeping fit and travel the world.

Student Coordinator (Dublin & Wicklow)

Franny Saavedra

Franny Saavedra is originally from the Canary Islands but has been living in Ireland for the past 29 years. Having a diploma in credit management, she worked in Finance for many years before joining the Rockbrook International team as an international student coordinator. Outside of work, Franny loves cooking, baking and going to the gym.

Head English Teacher & School Supplies

Helen Carragher

Helen organises the schoolbooks and uniforms for international students. If there are ever any problems with these, she’ll do her best to sort things out. She’s in Rockbrook most afternoons and also on Saturday mornings, when she teaches an English class, helping students prepare for their Cambridge exams. She lives in Dublin with her husband, an adult daughter and (too many) dogs and cats.

Many years ago, she successfully studied for a BSc in Chemistry and an MSc in Production Engineering.

Her pastimes nowadays are reading, going to quizzes and football (GAA) matches (though not at the same time).