Teaching outdoor and adventure activities: an investigation of a primary school physical education professional development p

Acknowledgements 
I am extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of the advice and support of colleagues, friends 
and family throughout the period of researching and writing this thesis. I therefore wish to 
sincerely thank the following: 
Catherine Woods, my supervisor, for her indispensable advice and support, both on a 
professional and personal level. Catherine the enthusiasm and interest you showed for my work 
during all stages was both reassuring and inspiring. Your constant guidance, perseverance and 
patience were a source of encouragement and provided me with the necessary belief and drive 
to complete this project. 
My friends and colleagues, Frances Murphy and Susan Marron who provided support on so 
many levels, in so many ways, and made many sacrifices for me; I will be eternally grateful. I 
am privileged to have them as friends and colleagues. 
I am indebted to those at St Patrick’s College, who all offered support and motivation in their 
own unique ways. In particular: Mark Morgan and Ciaran Sugrue who pointed me down the 
road of doctoral research and continuously advised me to stop reading and start writing; 
Michael O Leary and David Millar who were always forthcoming when it came to qualitative 
and quantitative queries and especially Aida Keane for providing coffee and friendship.
Eileen McEvoy for her support and assistance in all things technical and Ben Meehan for 
guiding me through the nVivo labyrinth. 
My friends and colleagues in other colleges and universities, nationally and internationally, 
many of whom I would not have come to know and respect had I not undertaken this work – 
you have inspired me to continue when things were tough; made me feel that my contribution to 
the field of research in physical education was important and contributed greatly to my own 
personal and professional development.
The Principal, teachers, children and parents who were part of this study, it is impossible to 
measure the contribution they have made. 
On a personal level,
To my friends: the Mammies, the Ratoath rugby crew (especially Ruairí’s team) and gaelic crew 
(especially Molly’s team) who gave me a life away from work and study and kept me sane 
(when they weren’t driving me insane!). 
To my parents-in-law, Sadie and Seán, and sister-in-law Áine, who did so much to support my 
home life allowing me precious writing time. Thank you for your support. 
To my family, my parents Bernard and Kay, and my sisters Elaine, Anne, Karen and Lisa and 
the extended family, who were never really quite sure what exactly I was doing (or why it was 
taking me so long to do it) but continued to be there, to keep me grounded and to remind me 
that if I put my mind to it I’d get it done. I am extremely lucky to have such a supportive, loving 
family. 
To Ruairí and Molly, for their patience and understanding while Mammy was doing her 
‘homework’ and Ceara whose arrival ensured I finished the homework. 
To Seán who inspires me to have dreams and never questions any of the mad things I do, but is 
always there to offer support and advice. You always believed that I could write the thesis even 
when at times I didn’t. Thank you for your un-ending love, encouragement and support.

---

viii