Our Founders
Ivan McKenna (MEd)
Director
A seasoned Learning & Development/Organisational Development professional with a focus on pragmatism, Ivan has built a significant client list (in both the public and private sector) since establishing his own consultancy in 2004….
Ciarán Bermingham
Director
We have a combination of expertise and success which adds up to a unique and fresh approach – making your learning & development and assessment interventions more valuable and memorable – making the learning stick and increasing the return on your investment.
Our Talented Colleagues
We work with a panel of over 100 accomplished actors/writers/directors. Here are just some of them.
Jessica Hayes
Claire -J-Loy
Mollie Savage
Fiona Condon
Niamh Fennessy
Fionula Linehan
Megan Haly
Jessica Leen
Aisling Breen
Vincent Moran
Judy Donovan
Malaidh Larkin
Mark D'Aughton
Denise McCormack
Liam Heffernan
Charlie Kelly
Sinead McGee
Michael Ryan
Gary Murphy
Niall Holland
Pattie Maguire
Lesley Conroy
Alan Howley
Dominic MacHale
Thérèse O'Sullivan
Noni Stapleton
David Ogumefu
Geoff Gould
Emma Willis
Diarmuid Noyes
Pat Nolan
Ciarán McGlynn
Leah Barniville
George Hanover
Stewart Roche
Oisín Carroll
Our Ethos
Guiding Principles for Lasting Partnerships
Integrity
We conduct ourselves with the highest level of integrity, honesty, and transparency in all interactions with clients, partners, and team members.
Execllence
We strive for excellence in every project we undertake, aiming to exceed client expectations and deliver solutions that make a meaningful impact.
Collaboration
We believe in the power of collaboration, both within our team and with our clients. By fostering open communication and teamwork, we achieve greater outcomes together.
Let’s talk
+353 (0)87 245 3046
Ivan McKenna (MEd)
A seasoned Learning & Development/Organisational Development professional with a focus on pragmatism, Ivan has built a significant client list (in both the public and private sector) since establishing his own consultancy in 2004. Prior to that date, he worked in Learning & Development and HR Managemen within the Financial Services sector for sixteen years. In 2008, he co-founded Real Learning Ltd. In 2013, he was invited to join the Irish Management Institute’s Associate Faculty as both Programme Director and Tutor. From 2015 to 2024, he held the post of Adjunct Lecturer in Maynooth University.
Ivan’s specialisms are in the areas of Strategy Design & Implementation; Change Management; Coaching & Mentoring; Management/Leadership Development; Performance Management and; Talent Development.
He also works as a Musical Director in professional theatre and Composer/Arranger for stage/screen. Musical Director credits include: “Riverdance”; “I, Keano” (Irish & UK tour); “Alice In Funderland” and “The Risen People” (Abbey Theatre); “Annie” (Cork Opera House & Olympia Theatre); “Fame The Musical” (Bord Gais Energy Theatre & National/UK Tour); “Somewhere Under The Rainbow” (Irish & UK tour); “The Colleen Bawn” (Druid). Composition/Arrangement credits include: The Voice Of Ireland; “A Fit Wife For A Revolutionary” (UK/Ireland); Imelda May; RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Qualifications and Professional Status
• MEd (Trg. & Dev.) University of Sheffield, UK
• Licensed Facilitator – Psychological Associates (Missouri, USA)
• Accredited Internal Consultancy Skills Programme – Roffey Park (UK)
• Licensed 360° Facilitator – Verax International (UK)
• Licensed 360° Facilitator – Human Synergistics International (UK)
Ciarán Bermingham
Ciarán is an experienced business professional, educator, and theatre practitioner. A graduate of University College Cork and MTU Cork School of Music, he began his career in the corporate sector – working in retail and supply chain management with Next Retail Ltd, The Brown Thomas Group and Musgrave SuperValu/Centra.
As an award-winning actor, director, and writer, he has appeared in international film and television productions including HBO’s “Game of Thrones”; “Christy”; and “The Young Offenders”. On stage, he has performed widely across Ireland and internationally – including sold-out performances of Conal Creedon’s one man show “The Cure”. He is also Artistic Director of Hiya Fella Productions and has directed and written for both theatre and film.
Today, Ciarán combines his commercial and artistic expertise with a passion for communication and performance. As a facilitator/designer of ice-breaker and motivational workshops, he works with clients to enhance teamwork, leadership and creative problem-solving. A co-founder of Real Learning Ltd., he is also works as a Drama Facilitator with Cork Prison Services and has worked extensively with COPE (now Horizon) as a playwright, director, and drama facilitator – using the arts as a tool for education, empowerment, and inclusion in all these roles.