Sailor Enda O’Coineen has announced his nomination to run as an Independent Candidate in the forthcoming election to Seanad Éireann in the National University of Ireland Constituency. Enda says there are issues he feels strongly about and wishes to make a contribution rather than ' Sit on the Quayside'. In particular, Enda wishes to champion the maritime, the Atlantic Youth Trust's North South youth development Tallship project, the commercial maritime sector, fishing, maritime tourism and business.
Senator Feargal Quinn, who is retiring from the Seanad this year, has endorsed Enda’s bid for the Senate. Other strong endorsements have come from the Author Tim Pat Coogan, Anne Heraty, John Killeen and Feargal O'Rourke.
A graduate of the National University of Ireland Galway, in management and finance, Enda has worked extensively in the US and in Central and Eastern Europe. He has played key roles in several highly successful turnarounds and start-ups and he has made significant contribution to the non-profit and charitable sector.
An overriding philosophy of Enda’s, is a belief in the individual. He believes in personal freedom, personal choice, respect, security and independence - as fundamentals of humanity and a fair, equitable and civil society.
Enda has a passionate belief in, and commitment to, education and will advocate for measures required to allow people access to education and opportunities to learn and develop new skills. He is also an advocate of Seanad reform to include building strong links with the Diaspora who should be represented.
As a successful entrepreneur himself, Enda recognises that we need to create an entrepreneurial culture in Ireland, one where people are encouraged to explore opportunities to pursue business ideas and where the State nurtures and supports them in doing so. He is also a strong supporter of instilling the entrepreneurial spirit - way beyond business into everyday life - as part of our ‘DNA’. He believes that a dynamic entrepreneurial culture needs to be nurtured early and often, starting at primary school level through to secondary and third level institutions and state organisations.
Enda believes that our Maritime and Ocean Resources provide huge underutilised potential from a tourism, cultural, sporting and enterprise perspective. Enda has been actively involved all his life in promoting and developing the marine sector. He has seen the value that marine industries can deliver to companies and indeed countries around the world.
In addition to success in management, finance and leadership, O’Coineen believes strongly in ‘putting something back’ and in particular has contributed significant time and personal resource into youth development and community. This includes being a founding Chairman, on a totally voluntary basis of the Volvo Ocean Race project in Ireland and his involvement in the Green Dragon Volvo Team, which generated over €100m directly to the Irish economy.
He is the Founding President of the Atlantic Youth Trust under the Chairmanship of Lord Glentoran in Northern Ireland. Through his work with youth charity, he has helped to introduce thousands of young people to ocean adventure, challenge and personal development.
Enda O’Coineen is a published author with four books to date, including The Unsinkable Entrepreneur. He is a family man with three daughters and a son.
