
Our Speakers / Thomas Barr
Speaker · Thomas Barr
Performance Speaker • High-Energy MC/Host
Three Time Olympian – European & World Medallist
What Thomas brings
In the room.
Thomas Barr is one of Ireland’s most respected and liked athletes, a three-time Olympian, European medallist, and World Relay medallist who specialised in the 400m hurdles. His unforgettable 47.97 Irish record in the Rio 2016 Olympic final remains a defining sporting moment for the nation. He later secured European bronze in 2018 and was on the Irish mixed 4×400m relay that medalled at the World and European Championships in 2024.
Across a decade competing at the highest level, Thomas earned a reputation for resilience, consistency, and delivering his best when it mattered most while also embracing the moment, enjoying the journey, and bringing a positive energy that lifted those around him. In his talks, he shares the mindset frameworks behind that success practical strategies for focus, emotional regulation, confidence, and recovering stronger from setbacks.
Off the track, Thomas holds a Master’s in Sports Science and a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since officially retiring from international athletics in January 2025, Thomas has begun an exciting new chapter as a professional speaker and a high-energy MC/Host working with organisations including the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s corporate team, and a workshop facilitator with Develop Me overall, channelling his experience and passion into inspiring performance, teamwork, and personal growth in others.
Passionate about giving back, Thomas thrives in environments where he can motivate others whether that’s corporate teams, leadership groups, youth organisations, or sporting communities. His message is simple: enjoy the journey, embrace pressure, and let every challenge inspire your best performance.
Panel & Workshop Experience
Leadership Development and Resilience Programs
Sales and High-Performance Teams
Corporate Wellbeing and Team-Building Events
Youth Empowerment and University Initiatives
DEI and Emotional Intelligence Workshops
Keynote speaking themes
Ways to inspire.
Leadership Under Pressure
Staying composed when the stakes are high
Mindset Management
Tools for mental resilience and focus
High-Performance Habits
Building routines for success
Emotional Intelligence in Teams
Building trust and motivation
Turning Setbacks into Fuel
Bouncing back from disappointment
Career highlights
Thomas’s record.
Olympic Finalist – 4th Place, Rio 2016 (400m Hurdles)
European Bronze Medallist – 2018 (400m Hurdles)
World Bronze Medallist – 2024 (Mixed 4x400m Relay)
European Relay Champion – 2024 (Mixed 4x400m)
Irish Record Holder – 400m Hurdles (47.97 seconds)
Three-time Olympian – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
World University Champion – 2015 (400m Hurdles)
Energetic, relatable, and outcome focused. Thomas combines Olympic storytelling with practical leadership insights—leaving audiences inspired, motivated, and equipped to perform under pressure.
Our speakers
More speakers.

Orla Comerford
Double World Para Athletics Champion & Paralympic Medallist.

Ciara Mageean
European Champion. Olympian. Global Voice for Resilience and Representation.
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