About CESS

Dr Nicholas Cuddihy

Academic Background

Dr Nicholas Cuddihy (Nicky) is a leading facilitator, strategist and advocate for Catholic education. He is a Theology and Education graduate of the Mater Dei Institute and holds both an MSc in Education Leadership and a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Management from Dublin City University.


Dr. Cuddihy’s career path to date has been marked by an openness to growth and a solid foundation in personal faith. In addition to his primary degree, Masters and Doctorate, he holds graduate diplomas and certificates that testify to a life-long commitment to learning and professional development.

Professional Experience

  • School Teacher and Leader

    Starting out as a teacher of Religious Education and English, Dr. Cuddihy has worked in just about every role available in Catholic education from substitute teacher to CEO and more recently as a facilitator and trainer.


    He began his career working as a teacher of Religious Education for 10 years before taking up his first Principalship in St Dominic’s College, Dublin in 2006. He worked with the Jesuits for 12 years between 2008 and 2020 first as Principal of Crescent College Limerick and then as Headmaster of Mount St Mary’s in Derbyshire and CEO of the Mount Trust.


    From 2020-2022 he worked as part of a team of Catholic Academy Trust leaders helping to establish Catholic school trusts in the Arch Diocese of Birmingham. 


    On his return to Ireland, he joined the Spiritan Education Trust as Chief Executive Officer from 2022-2025.


    In 2025 he gained valuable hands on experience in Special Ed working part time as a teacher of religious Education in St. Michael’s Holy Angels.

  • Trainer and Facilitator

    Throughout his career Nicky has worked closely with Luke Monahan and CURAM as a Senior Associate, collaborating on the design and delivery of workshops and strategic planning processes in schools throughout Ireland, the UK and most recently in Malta.


    In 2025 he formally established Catholic Education Supports and Services (CESS) as a source of high-quality professional training, formation and supports to school leaders, school boards, Trustees and Patrons. 

  • Research and Advocacy

    Nicky is a prominent advocate for Catholic Education. He is a respected public speaker and is frequently invited to deliver papers to conferences in Ireland and the UK.  


    He writes a regular column in the Irish Catholic Newspaper and is the host of the EDUCATION NATION podcast. Through the podcast and newspaper column he highlights and discusses the current issues, achievements and challenges of those working in Catholic education and seeks to broaden the conversation and education debate.


    Having worked for many years as a Senior Associate with Luke Monahan and CURAM, Dr. Nicholas Cuddihy formally established CESS in June 2025, as a source of high-quality professional training, formation and supports to school leaders, Boards, Trustees and Patrons. CESS’s mission, which is shared with Catholic Trustees and Patrons, is the advancement of Catholic education. 


    CESS offers individual schools, school networks, Patrons and Management bodies the opportunity to contract in the services, energy and expertise needed to develop confident, articulate leadership within Catholic education so that Catholic schools will thrive. CESS aims to help strengthen the position of Catholic schools in all sectors so that parents and students will always have an option of a high functioning Catholic school in their local area.


    To bring this vision to life, we have designed and delivered a range of training, formation, and support services which we tailor to meet the needs of a particular school or context.