This programme, accredited by the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (MII), is facilitated by Catherine O’Connell of Blossom Development and Andrea O’Neill of ACON. The course is run over 11 days (8 full days tuition and one assessment day) in Autumn 2026 with a maximum of 8 participants to ensure one trainer/coach for every four participants during skills practice. At the end of the programme participants undertake a competency assessment whereupon successful candidates may apply to register with the MII as a Certified Mediator eligible to practice.

Course Aim: To equip participants with the knowledge, skills, attitude and awareness required to intervene positively and/or mediate with people experiencing conflict and difficulties in a variety of situations. It is suitable for leaders, managers, HR consultants and employees along with those wishing to specialise in conflict intervention & communication.

Each participant receives one on one coaching and mentoring during skills practice in class.
Booking form available here

The objectives (learning outcomes) of the programme are:

• To develop participants understanding of how conflict happens, escalates and impacts people and organisations along with understanding their own conflict style.

• To skill development so that participants can expand their repertoire of conflict behaviours to suit the contexts they find themselves in.

• To attain a good understanding of core mediation concepts, theories, models, processes, and principles.

• To develop participants’ mediation skills to the level of competency as laid down in MII certified assessment requirements.

• To raise participants’ awareness of how their own triggers and biases can impact the mediation process and to facilitate ways of managing them.

• To learn how to create an environment of trust, rapport and empowerment when facilitating people in conflict.

CATHERINE O’CONNELL BIOGRAPHY

Catherine is an experienced and accredited mediator, restorative dialogue facilitator, CINERGY™ conflict management coach and trainer in all three areas. From 2014 to 2025 Catherine is a lecturer in mediation, conflict management and restorative practice at Maynooth University and National College of Ireland. She also has been engaged in various peace building projects run by Maynooth University.

Catherine works in both workplace and family contexts as a mediator, conflict coach or restorative facilitator to enable parties make their own decisions and work together in a collaborative way when changes occur. The contexts can vary such as a couple separating, managing the care of a family member, finding a way through conflict around inheritance issues, bullying and harassment claims in work and general workplace conflict.

Catherine delivers training in Mediation, Restorative Practice, CINERGY™ Conflict Management Coaching, and bespoke training in conflict management and communications skills for leaders, groups and organisations. She has run her MII Certified Mediation Programme for the Irish Red Cross and Maynooth University,

Catherine has trained ex combatants in the north of Ireland in mediation and conflict intervention skills. She has partnered with the Traveller Mediation Service to deliver the MII Certified Mediation Programme to prisoners in Castlerea Prison (2019), Cork Prison, Portlaoise Prison (2023-2024) and to members of the Traveller community from 2018 – 2025.

 Catherine was a researcher in the seminal collaborative research project between Facing Forward and Dr Marie Keenan entitled “Sexual Trauma and Abuse: Restorative and Transformative Possibilities” (2014). She has written “Building Bridges”, an article about a Restorative Justice Initiative in Green Bay Maximum Security Prison Wisconsin for the ‘Journal of Mediation and Applied Conflict Analysis’ published online by Maynooth University. In 2018, she undertook with Barbara Walshe a consultation on the ‘Options and Appropriate Courses of action available to Government in relation to the site of the former Mother and Baby Home, Tuam County Galway’ (April 2018). From 2019 to 2021, again with Barbara Walshe, she worked with survivors of Institutional abuse on the themes and issues they wished to consult with Government on.

From April 2021 to 2023 Catherine and Barbara have facilitated a co-designed restorative process between the Jesuit order in Ireland and past pupils who had been abused by a deceased Jesuit priest while they were in Jesuit schools. The account was published on 14th August 2023

Associations that Catherine belongs to include the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland, Mediation beyond Borders, The Association of Conflict Resolution, the Restorative Justice Council in the U.K and the European Forum for Restorative Justice. She is on the steering committee of Restorative Practices Ireland and is on the quality assurance committee of same.

Andrea O’Neill BIOGRAPHY

Andrea is an accredited MII and IMI mediator with extensive experience supporting diverse communities to build trust, connection, and shared understanding.

Holding a Master’s degree in Mediation and Conflict Intervention from Maynooth University, Andrea is presently an Associate Lecturer on the Human Resources Master’s degree in the National College of Ireland delivering lectures for an elective module on mediation.

Andrea works across family, workplace, community, and cross‐cultural settings. Her practice is grounded in trauma‐informed and restorative approaches, supported by specialist training in Child‐Inclusive Mediation, cross‐border child abduction cases (MiKK-ev), restorative practice, reflective practice leadership, and CINERGY® Conflict Management Coaching. Andrea’s work is shaped by a strong understanding of interpersonal and systemic dynamics, cultural sensitivity, and the lived experiences of people navigating transition, displacement, and integration.

Andrea has extensive experience delivering mediation, conflict‐resolution training, and trauma‐informed programmes with communities and organisations that support newcomer, migrant,and refugee populations. She has co‐delivered mediation and trauma  programmes for the Irish Red Cross, Helping Irish Hosts, Doras, Mediators Beyond Borders, and multiple community and corporate groups. Since 2023, she has also co‐delivered mediation  training within the Irish Prison Service, supporting participants to develop communication, leadership, and conflict‐resolution skills that strengthen community resilience.

Andrea has experience facilitating mediations in families (family unit/systems/dynamics, separating couples, parenting) workplace, schools, communities, and government funded organisations. Assisting those who are in conflict to reach understanding and agreement.

As a certified Cinergy Conflict Coach Andrea has extensive experience working with managers to improve workplace relationships and team dynamics through training and coaching, nurturing better relationships.

As President of the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland, Andrea represents 700 mediators across the island of Ireland and leads the organisation’s national and international engagement. In this role, she also sits on the ‘Shadow Council’ working toward the establishment of the statutory Mediation Council, contributing to the development of a robust, inclusive, and future‐focused mediation infrastructure for Ireland.

Andrea works closely with European and global mediation bodies to promote culturally responsive, accessible, and high‐quality mediation practice. She is committed to strengthening community cohesion, supporting newcomer integration, and fostering environments where people from all backgrounds can feel safe, respected, and connected.

In 2024, Andrea received the Global Mediation Synergy Award for her leadership and contribution to international cooperation in peacebuilding and mediation.

Andrea is presently an Associate Lecturer on the Human Resources Master’s degree in the National College of Ireland delivering lectures for an elective module on mediation.

Andrea is trauma informed and holds a Micro-credential in Trauma Informed Practice from Maynooth University. Andrea carries out all her work through a trauma informed lens. Andrea’s work is informed by her knowledge of mediation, conflict, trauma, restorative practice and interpersonal and system dynamics. Andrea is also a Youth Mental Health first aider.