Author, activist, public speaker and teacher
"Tough times don't last, tough people do"
Get In Touch with Emer O'Neill
Emer O’Neill is a seasoned Moderator, Host and Public Speaker with vast experience in the areas of Sustainability, Global Citizenship, Racism, Inclusion and Equity, Women/Girls in Sport, Children and Youth Education and Mental Health Advocacy.
As a TV Presenter, she has a bright and relatable presence on camera with an ability to connect with her audience and guests.
She is a mother of three with a BA in Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration with 15 years of teaching experience. She is a retired Irish International Basketball player representing Ireland at multiple age levels and a recipient of a full scholarship to the USA to play basketball. Assistant Coach at Barry University, Miami, FL 2012/14 and Head Coach of the Under 20’s Women’s Irish Basketball Team 2015 competing in the European Championships in Montenegro.
Emer is an advocate for promoting positive body image and self-love. She has a TV show on RTE2 “Keep It Up” investigating the question of “Why girls drop out of sport during the ages of 12-14?” It is a six part docoseries available on the RTE Player.
She is currently the Global Citizenship Education Officer with the Irish Girl Guides and is well known as a presenter on Home School Hub on RTE, educating our children during Covid with her segment “Exercise with Emer”. She also presented the Today show on RTE and has broadcast the St.Patrick’s Day Parade 2022 and 2023 live on RTE.
Emer is an anti-racism activist working to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in the media, state jobs, positions of leadership and in our education system here in Ireland. Her Tedx talk, challenging unconscious bias and racism called “Don’t Put Me in a Box” consists of her own personal journey being Black Irish and challenges people to be actively anti-racist.
She is a founding member of Bray For Love an anti-racism group in Bray, Co.Wicklow. Emer has written a policy on Anti Racism and developed EDI workshops for schools and organisations. Emer sat as a member on the steering committee for the Anti-Bullying Action Plan 2023 under Minister Norma Foley.
Emer is the author of a children’s book called “The Same But Different” a tale about a little girl overcoming her self-doubt and journey to embrace her differences and uniqueness. The book includes characters with a cochlear implant, hijab, wheelchair user and strives to be educational and inclusive. It is a book that has helped educators and parents start conversations surrounding racism, inclusion and loving yourself just the way you are!