testimonials
What people are saying about Donal and his events
“So much fun to participate in this weekend!
Transferable and valuable leadership skills gained! I learn so much from these weekends about myself and my capabilities, my confidence in myself increases each time I attend, and all achieved with so much fun and lightness.
I always leave these weekends feeling vital, vibrant, zestful, full of enthusiasm for life, valued and more deeply connected to myself, the other participants and life in general. I look forward to the next phase of life with delight and expectancy!”
Suriya Aukes
"Donal is an exceptional facilitator. His teachings have shifted my perspective on handling all types of relationships, helping me become aware of my needs and allowing me to communicate with others with more compassion and empathy."
Ana Correia
"I cannot recommend Donal highly enough! His sessions were incredibly insightful and helped me to develop a deeper understanding of various aspects of Nonviolent Communication and Sociocracy … I really enjoy his relaxed style, directness, humour (especially in challenging moments). Interaction with him brought me desire to learn more, hope that there are gems of knowledge and skill that can bring greater and greater inner freedom and happiness in relationships "
Pawel Kuklik
""Donal is a wonderful facilitator, he puts you so at ease and has great lived and learned knowledge of the subjects. He makes it such a fun interactive learning experience and manages the energy and time really well.
I did Communicate to Connect training last year with Donal and found it really beneficial and enjoyable. For me, it was practicing expressing myself with assertiveness and compassion, exploring my own needs, feelings and reactions in certain scenarios which I find difficult (whether in social, personal or professional relationships, or even activism or community work). I learned to recognise when and how to say no/yes or ask for what I need. Always such lovely people too. 🙂 I highly recommend this to anyone who cares about communicating with their fellow humans, loved ones and themselves in a more positive way."
I did Communicate to Connect training last year with Donal and found it really beneficial and enjoyable. For me, it was practicing expressing myself with assertiveness and compassion, exploring my own needs, feelings and reactions in certain scenarios which I find difficult (whether in social, personal or professional relationships, or even activism or community work). I learned to recognise when and how to say no/yes or ask for what I need. Always such lovely people too. 🙂 I highly recommend this to anyone who cares about communicating with their fellow humans, loved ones and themselves in a more positive way."
Duana Tuite Nunn
"I attended a 2-day foundation training with Donal and couldn’t recommend him more! Compassionate and wise facilitator who obviously not only teaches but lives NVC and conveys it beautifully!"
Ida Blazek
"Donal was a shining gift bringing empathy and understanding to our hearts. His work was with an emphasis on empowering us as a community to learn the skills to resolve issues among ourselves- great that he not only provides us with fish but also teaches how to fish. In community, to have support from the outside can be amazing and transformative”
Niki Watling
"I particularly valued the emphasis of tuning into our own experience and then from that place of self-connection, connecting with others."
Lorna Riorden
"Donal is the most dynamic & dedicated facilitator I have ever been with"
Goiatz Arizkorreta
"This session of your’s flipped a switch in me. It has embedded in my whole experience of life. I really noticed that I'm relating from a different place, and having a lot more space and expectations towards others, but also towards myself."
Inge Veldscholten
""Donal is one of the best teachers I know, really coming from the heart and bringing huge experience, and he lives what he teaches too.
Donal’s NVC trainings take you beyond techniques and deep into human connection, empathy, and living more beautifully. There's always lots of laughter, wonderful people and a real life-enhancing magic at them.
Anyone who wants better relationships, more freedom to give and receive what you truly want, great boundaries, ease in love and connection, and skills to shift conflict into healing and closeness, I highly suggest going to this!"
David Rock
"I strongly recommend this training to anyone who wants to cultivate their capacity for meaningful connection (both with oneself and others).
Donal is an exceptional teacher, facilitator and space holder.
I found the material and techniques very accessible and his creative, practical approach enabled me to embody the principles in a profoundly transformative way.
Feeling very grateful and nourished by the level of heartfelt connection I experienced"
Laurel Flynn
"I take Donal as an example of somebody who is manifesting with his own life and path the change we all want to see in this world”
Loredana Buccoliero
"I have worked with Donal and attended many of his workshops over the past decade. Most recently, we engaged him to facilitate a team and board-wide strategy process. His guidance allowed me, as CEO, to contribute meaningfully while he held the space for the group. During the process, we explored topics such as conflict resolution, authenticity, and meeting structures. Above all, it provided a valuable opportunity for our team to come together and create something truly powerful and special."
Matthew Smith
"I took a lot from these workshops and I was particularly impressed with the meta level of group dynamics that you brought to the table (eg. analyzing group dynamics while these are happening within the group) and how you gave space for group dynamics to unfold so we could all learn from it"
Gustavo Vidal
""Essential skills for seeing community projects through to fruition.
A wonderful weekend"
Alan Stewart
“You brought NVC to me and it was nothing short of saving my life.
A couple of days of heart-warming connection, learning on many levels and getting to know new like-minded people. Past events with Donal left me enriched and inspired, with clearer vision of a better world”
Yaga Sendur
"The ripples from your work will certainly be felt and are much needed in our world today"
David Nevyn
"A big thank you for the quality of your teachings. I can feel your generosity in sharing, and it clearly comes from a place of true love and authenticity.
Congratulations for your transmission skills, it's a good mix between theory, embodiment, and fun. Also appreciated the way you've been handling the group dynamic… thanks for the tool box I now have"
Nathalie Gualdaroni
"I felt very nourished and hopeful… I loved that we have collected 'good' practices… I'm looking forward to brainstorm with my partner and create ideas/rituals of what could help when triggered (or not help!).
The topic in itself can be quite challenging and yet you have been able to transmit it in a very light and hopeful way."
Jessica Ayud Manzano
"Donal is a very sensitive soul who is very aware about things popping up in the space, upcoming emotional situations etc. When that happens he always finds a professional and yet loving way to take care of it. I have never felt so safe and connected.
Donal introduced us in the most gentle and caring way to techniques that someone can keep forever as a tool for deeper self connection and self reflection. I personally had quite a few deep emotional moments of self realization.
It brought me much much joy, depth and connection …it completely blew my mind!"
Maria Reich
"I consider the kinds of authentic communication that allow for actual human connection, which I’ve practiced with Donal, to be the most important stuff I've ever learned in this whole life.
I communicated much like anybody else and didn't know I was missing anything, and then this sort of work came along and opened. up. everything.
Over these past many many years while the rest of us have been oh so busy coming up with newer and subtler ways of saying "I'm right and you're wrong, so there", Donal has been practicing the art of real authentic communication for deep connection to yourself and others."
Cian O'Reilly
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from staff following training. A big thank you for the last four Tuesdays and for putting together a programme for us that was what we wanted and needed but were not very clear on.
Looking forward to great team interactions and growth.
It was truly lovely working with you”
Dara Farrelly