Tweak.com's Jerry Kennelly: Ireland Needs To Become A Land Of Coders And Scholars

The saints and scholars tag for Ireland is defunct – it now needs to be known as the land of ‘coders and scholars’, Kerry technology entrepreneur Jerry Kennelly told DojoCon, the global gathering of CoderDojo mentors at Slane Castle in Co Meath at the weekend. He told parents to wake up and be aware of a seismic change that will enable Ireland to make an economic impact on the world.

After starting in Cork almost two years ago, CoderDojo has grown to more than 16,000 kids learning how to code in 180 dojos in 23 countries. And Slane Castle, normally the destination of choice for rock stars and bands ranging from U2 and R.E.M. to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones and Madonna became the venue to host those who are supporting tomorrow’s ‘rock stars’.

Mentors, organisers and parents are the beating heart of the CoderDojo movement and the very people who make it possible for kids as young as six across the world to learn how to write the critical business language of the 21st century: software code. They give up their time, organise venues, source broadband and bus the kids to and fro.