Dermot Hayes

Like many activists and volunteers, Dermot Hayes is a force of nature.

He calls all his friends ‘Comrade’ and has been active for decades in youth work, community groups, LEADER projects, trade unions, worker co-ops, environmental causes, and disability rights.

Dermot lives in Ennis, Co. Clare, and is known for volunteering, advocating and campaigning for human rights, in particular with the Independent Living Movement in Ireland.

“I have been immersed in the local, national and international movement for over thirty years. During this time, I founded, co-founded and headed organisations to represent, campaign and progress rights for people with disabilities,” he says.

“My book explores and documents my life as a child growing up in Kells, Corofin, County Clare and through to my years as an activist and campaigner across many causes over seven decades,”.