About us

It is one of a national network of 21 such Centres and provides support for teachers and others involved in education in Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County, part of South County Dublin and North County Wicklow. This region has approximately 250 schools, both Primary and Post Primary with over 5000 teachers. It is financed by the Department of Education and Science (DES) and by contract work undertaken by the Centre, frequently by way of joint publications. 



The Centre has a publishing division, BEC Publishing.

The Centre is managed by a committee elected annually at the Centre's AGM.  Day-to-day management and administration are the responsibility of the Director Dr Séamus Cannon (O Canainn) and staff. 



Local teachers and other local groups use the Centre for meetings, presentations and discussions. The facilities are also available for hire.

The Centre was established in 1972 in Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Since 1996, BEC has been located in the grounds of the IADT Dún Laoghaire at Deansgrange - near Baker's Corner a prominent local landmark. 

The present building was officially opened by the Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach on February 27th 1997, almost 25 years to the day after it first came into being. Blackrock Education Centre was designed by Shay Cleary Architects. Built around a central courtyard, the Centre comprises a large entrance foyer, a conference room, a number of training rooms including an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training facility, meeting rooms and other facilities. A feature of the courtyard is a replica of a monastic sundial from early Christian times.


The Centre’s mission statement:

‘The Blackrock Education Centre will provide support, services and resources to teachers and to other partners in education in an atmosphere which is friendly, innovative and committed to excellence’