WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?We run interactive sexual health workshops for TY students

A cartoon teacher use a pointer to show a small class a gender symbol. This was designed for 'Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health' the sexual health education outreach programme aimed at teens in Ireland.
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TWO HOUR INTERACTIVE SEXUAL HEALTH WORKSWHOPSWe discuss and debunk myths associated with sexual health and wellbeing

Each workshops will focus on four of the following topics including positive consent, anatomy, periods, contraception, HPV vaccine, Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU).

Scientific Education
We are dedicated to providing relevant, factual information about the science behind sexual wellbeing from the experts in the field.
Inclusivity & Respect
In line with RCSI’s core values, we are committed to inclusivity, fostering engagement and collaboration with the public, schools, and healthcare professionals.
Skilled Experts
Our doctors & educators have many years of experience in their respective backgrounds, it is our mission to provide schools with their expert and non-judgemental knowledge.
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Meet The Team

Our mission is to provide factual information to young people in Ireland about sexual and reproductive health according to current and proven scientific research and practice. Through our outreach workshops, we want to prepare adolescents to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.

Professor Fergal Malone, Project Lead for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the Irish sex education outreach programme for transition years, 5th and 6th years.

Prof Fergal Malone

Professor Fergal Malone is the programme lead. Consultant obstetrician, as well as a sub-specialist consultant in maternal-fetal medicine, Prof. Malone is currently (since 2005) the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the RCSI School of Medicine in Dublin, Ireland, as well as Master of the Rotunda Hospital Dublin since 2016.

Doctor Zara Molphy, Project co-lead for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health, sex education outreach workshops for transition year, 5th and 6th years in Ireland.

Dr Zara Molphy

Zara is the project co-lead. As Research Programme Manager, she supports the strategic research development of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Rotunda Hospital Dublin. She oversees and delivers on strategic operational plans and supports a number of clinical trials and educational and public outreach projects at the department.

Elisa Belmonte, Project manager for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health sex education project for TYs, 5th and 6th years in Ireland.

Elisa Belmonte

Elisa is Research Communications Officer at the RCSI, where she has worked on outreach projects on women’s health since 2019. She has a background in Science and Health Communications, as well as in PR and Communication Marketing. When she is not working, you can find her cooking Italian food or dancing Lindy Hop.

Hollie Byrne Communications Officer for Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind our sexual health sexual health education outreach programme for senior cycle secondary school students in Ireland.

Hollie Byrne

Hollie is a Research Communications Officer with a Graduate Certificate in Sexuality Education & Sexual Wellbeing from DCU (2024) and a BA in English Literature and History (2019). She has contributed to our SFI-funded project, ‘BIAS: Inequality in Women’s Health & Research.

Mark Kerins Graphic Designer for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Mark Kerins

Mark is the graphic designer for both the Rotunda Hospital and the RCSI Research Department. He graduated from NCAD in 2015 with a BA in Product design. He has worked on many initiatives on women’s health with the department since then.

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Meet The Experts

Debunking the Myths is an expert-led series of workshops that focus on sexual health, aimed at transition year through to 6th year, secondary school students.

Each workshop hosts a panel of four speakers, with expertise in Infectious Diseases, Gynaecology, Emergency Medicine, Contraception, Psychology, Consent and Sexual Assault Treatment.

Below you can meet the experts that participated in our workshops so far.

Doctor Eoghan De Barra, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Dan Kane

Dr. Dan Kane is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior Registrar and forensic examiner in the Rotunda Hospital Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

Doctor Ronan Daly, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Ronan Daly

Dr. Ronan Daly is a Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Rotunda Hospital. He is a Clinical Tutor with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and undertaking a Masters in Clinical Education.

Doctor Caroline Kelleher, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Caroline Kelleher

Lecturer in the Department of Health Psychology in RCSI. One of the leads in developing Student & Staff Sexual Misconduct Policy (2019) & is co-chair of the RCSI ending Sexual Violence, Supporting Survivors & Promoting Consent (ESP) forum.

Professor Maeve Eogan, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Prof. Maeve Eogan

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for the Rotunda Hospital. National Clinical Lead for the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) services at the HSE.

Doctor Eoghan De Barra, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Eoghan De Barra

Dr. Eoghan de Barra consultant in Infectious Diseases and Senior Lecturer at Beaumont Hospital. He was secretary of the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland, and is the current UEMS-ID national representative.

Deirdra Richardson, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr Grace Madigan

Grace Madigan is based out of Ireland and works at Rotunda Hospital as Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She also works as a Forensic Clinical Examiner in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, Rotunda Hospital.

Dr Nikita Deegan, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Stiofán Hatton

Dr Stiofán is the clinical lecturer in tropical medicine at RCSI and works with the infectious diseases team in Beaumont hospital. He has a special interest in sexual health having worked at 56 Dean Street in Soho, London, and with the GUIDE clinic at St James’s Hospital. Born at the Rotunda, Stiofán is a proud Dubliner.

Professor Jennifer (JEN) Donnelly, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Prof. Jen Donnelly

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist – Subspecialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Previous Assistant Master of the Rotunda Hospital Dublin.

Doctor Vicky O'Dwyer, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Vicky O’Dwyer

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. Director of Gynaecology at the Rotunda Hospital. BSCCCP certified colposcopist & Rotunda lead colposcopist from 2019-2020.

Deborah Browne, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Ms. Deborah Browne

Debbie is a Clinical Midwife Specialist in Teen Pregnancy and Adolescent Gynaecology working in the Rotunda Hospital. She has been providing contraceptive and sexual health advice to young people for over 15 years.

Dr Nikita Deegan, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Nikita Deegan

Dr Nikita Deegan is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the Rotunda Hospital and Childrens Health Ireland (CHI), Temple street. She leads the Teenage pregnancy service at the Rotunda Hospital together with our dedicated Clinical Midwife Specialist Ms Debbie Browne.

Doctor Geraldine Connolly, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Prof. Sam McConkey

Samuel McConkey is Professor and Head of the Department of International Health & Tropical Medicine at RCSI, University of Medicine & Health Sciences. He is also a Consultant in General Medicine, Tropical Medicine & Infectious Diseases at Beaumont Hospital Dublin.

Doctor Claire McCarthy, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Claire McCarthy

Dr Claire McCarthy is a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with a postgraduate fellowship in maternal medicine, colposcopy, and breastfeeding amongst others.

Deirdre Lundy, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Deirdre Lundy

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. Leading Specialist Women’s Health & Menopause in National Maternity Hospital. Specialist & trainer in Reproductive and Sexual Health.

Doctor Naomi Burke, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Naomi Burke

Dr. Naomi Burke is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the Rotunda Hospital and Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.

Mohammed Hamza, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Mohamed Hamza

Emergency medicine trainee, adjunct clinical lecturer in emergency medicine, & POCUS trainer. Editor of TheCase.Report podcast.

Doctor Mark Murphy, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Mark Murphy

General Practitioner at the Eldon Family Practice. Assistant programme director, and lecturer in general practice for RCSI.

Doctor Nicola Maher, expert speaker for Debunking the myths: the science behind our sexual health the irish sexual health education outreach workshops for TY, 5th and 6th years.

Dr. Nicola Maher

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital. Contributor to national clinical guidelines & training junior doctors at the rotunda Hospital.

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I think that it’s great that we are being educated in such a clear and honest way. It’s been shown frequently around the world that abstinence education simply doesn’t work and can actually promote the wrong information, leading to mistakes and problems that can be easily avoided if [we are] taught the correct information. I really appreciate the work that has been put into this workshop and I hope that it continues for years to come.
I really liked how the questions and polls were anonymous I don't think anyone would have said anything if they weren't.
I really enjoyed the experience and the participation was brilliant, i loved how we could follow the presentation with our phones and we had to pick answers etc
Brilliant presentation, very interactive not a moment of dullness, great to have a panel of different speakers, none were boring to listen to but to switch it up is good. We were all kept involved very well and it was a brilliant informative talk.
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Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health is funded by Science Foundation Ireland and supported by The Rotunda Hospital and The Rotunda Foundation. This website uses Cookies. Continued use of the site will be deemed as your acceptance of this necessity.