Padraic A Leonard

4th - Oct

PADRAIC A LEONARD

KIRCULLEN, MOYCULLEN, CO.GALWAY

089 4034585 PADRAICALEONARD@HOTMAIL.COM

PROFILE

Hardworking, motivated and customer focused individual with over 20 years experience in the Construction and Horticulture sectors. Qualifications include a full clean ‘D’ licence, up to date CPC’s. and First Aid. Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with people at different levels. Keen to secure a full time role as a coach driver.

LICENCES & CERTIFICATES

Bus Licence ‘D’ Valid

CPC Up to date

Manual Handling Valid June 2019

First Aid Responder Valid June 2019

Digital Tachograph Card

Driver Qualification Card

EMPLOYMENT

Jobseeking and training. (Upskilling) 2013 – 2018

Self Employed Horticulturalist 2008 – 2012

* Managing the day to day activities of running own business and ensuring excellent customer satisfactions

* Providing advice and creating garden plans and pricing jobs

* Completing projects in line with customer requirements to deadlines and budget

* Managing the financial and administration aspect of the business

Gaeity School of Acting, Dublin 2004 – 2005

Actor

* Acting in plays in Town Hall Theatre and TV series including ROS NA RUN

Various Plant Hire Companies in Galway and London 1984 – 2004

Machine Driver

* Operating heavy plant machinery on site and motorways

* Working in a safe manner and adhering to policies and procedures

GBC Bakery, Galway City 1980 – 1984

Van Driver

* Carrying out bread sales and deliveries around County Galway

* Delivering product and collecting returns

* Managing the paperwork, cash and writing invoicing

EDUCATION

Bus Driving Course ‘D’ Licence Advance Drive / GRETB Sept – Nov 2018

Modules: Driver CPC, Driving Lessons, Manual Handling, Tachograph, Vehicle Maintenance, First Aid Career and Job Seeking Skills

Horticulture FETAC Level 6 Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny 2006 – 2009

Leaving Certificate St. Enda’s College Galway 1982

ACHIEVEMENTS and INTERESTS

Volunteering with Brigid’s Garden

Volunteer with the Irish Seedsavers for a number of years

Assisted with Permaculture projects in Tanzania and Malawi on a v

Email:
Contact Number:
089 4034585
Education:
Experience:
location:
Galway
Professional title:
Licence category: B,BE,C,C1,C1E,
Resume file: Download Resume
Skills:
Website:

`Testimonials`

I passed my driving test last week with Advance Drive for the D1 license. I want to thank Philip, Ailbhe, Gerry, Aoife, Mike and all the team for their professionalism and support throughout. I want to give a huge thanks to my driving instructor Mike. Mike is a professional, experienced and understanding Driving Instructor. With his expertise, encouragement and patience he taught me the skills to become a safe driver. I would highly recommend Mike as a Driving Instructor. My experience with Advance Drive from start to finish was superb.
May 25, 2023Clare

A massive thanks to Advance Drive for the brilliant service, especially to Lee for being an extremely patient and efficient instructor. Thank you for helping me develop and improve my driving skills, which allowed me to pass my bus test on my first attempt, and for squeezing me in for early morning lessons. Lee is a good instructor who is brilliant at instilling confidence in all areas of driving. He always gives constructive feedback throughout the lessons. I cannot recommend Lee enough for learner drivers of different levels of ability and confidence. He is an incredibly supportive mentor for anyone who wants to learn.
October 29, 2024Knocknacarra

Advance drive team very Professional team When I meet this team first I had nothing only only car licence and now have bus and rigid lorry licence all thanks to Advance team Where I do I start I first met Philip and Ailbhe in Althlone when I went for my bus licence very Professional at the job . I went for my Rigid Lorry license went to galway to do it I met rest of the team very Professional staff Aoife and Emma are on front desk when walk in door u are Greeted with a smile All driving Instructor very professional. Their is no mark to grade the advance drive team very Professional and always go above the job to make fell comfortable to get your licence.
January 27, 2022Co Clare

Firstly I would like to say a massive thanks to everyone in Advance Drive. From day one the staff in reception especially Aoife & Carla have been very very helpful and friendly. Any queries I had were explained straight away and they were able to work around my schedule to fit lessons in. A massive thanks to Pat, Dezzie and especially Noel for all the training in my bus lessons. The lads were 100% and very professional in training. I would highly recommend Advance drive for all your lessons. Passed both my Truck & Bus test first time! Thanks a million to all the staff 👏
October 13, 2025

Hi All, I just want to thank Dezzie and all the team at Advance Drive for helping me pass my Class B driving test last Monday in Westside Galway. Overall, I did 17 lessons with Dezzie in the Ford Fiesta and I found him to be extremely friendly, professional and knowledgeable at all times, and I can definitely say that he has the patience of a saint. As such, I can't recommend Advance Drive enough and I know that I would not have passed my driving test first time round without Dezzie's expert help. Thanks a million Dezzie.
April 30, 2014Brendan Kelly

passed my test first time with advance drive for my c1 licence , I can’t thank Lee enough for his patience and guidance throughout my lessons . Lee was a very thorough instructor and prepared me for all eventualities and explained everything so well . He was extremely understanding , professional and never made me question my ability. Mike was also very helpful for my pretest , he was very friendly and eased my nerves a lot , delighted to have got the experience to learn from both Lee and Mike , could not recommend them enough , Thank you so much !
April 23, 2024Galway

Passed my driving test after few hours with Vas from Advance drive. He is absolutely amazing! So much patience and understanding! Due to covid, my learning lasted 2 years, I changed 4 different instructors from different driving schools. Vas made it all possible, I wouldn't be driving without him! School is great too, every contact to book lessons and make payment was easy and straight forward. They sent all materials on email. Very helpful and friendly! Thank you all ❤️
September 15, 2022Galway Westside

- Instructor: Vas is an excellent instructor, very careful with details; aways show the exact procedures for the exam; point out all the right and wrong maneuvers during the lessons; encourage you and prepare you for the stressful day of the test. - Driving centre: it was the only driving centre I found with available agenda for a short period; They have both manual and automatic cars; They have a good price; They are flexible; They always answer you very quick.
February 25, 2022Knocknacarra, Galway

Philip is an absolute genius when it comes to driving and answering questions you ask there is absolutely nothing he doesn\'t know, done 3 tests in a year rigid, coach and artic yesterday 1st oct with nearly a clean sheet only 1 fault due to another very unprofessional bus driver. how good is that for a result driving a truck with a 35ft trailor thanks to the expert tuition from Philip. impossible to fail. why go to an apprentice when you can learn from a professional cheers philip
April 28, 2014Lorcan Warde

Just a quick note of thanks to advance drive for helping me complete my artic training. I cannot recommend the company highly enough my instructor was Lee and he was very professional and thorough through out my training and gently pushed me to my Limited in order to get it across the line. Galway is a busy city and I was not familiar wit it but with the help of Lee all went well. The company's communication is also top class and with prompt reminders for upcoming lessons I found it let's the training flow with nothing to worry about I have to thank Aoife for this. Also big thanks to Gerry for getting it off d ground. 5 star company Many thanks Tony
April 30, 2025Co clare

(17/04/14) Looked at a number of other driving schools before choosing Advance Drive. I'm glad I went with my 'gut instinct' & chose this one. Philip did a great job of teaching me. I felt relaxed with him & learnt something at every lesson. He's patient, very astute (misses nothing!) a good communicator and great instructor. Managed to pass my driving test first time. I'm 'over the moon!' I would certainly recommend Advance Drive to anyone in the process of choosing a driving school. Thanks to Philip, Ailbhe & all at Advance Drive.
April 28, 2014Allison Barry

I got my rigid licence with Martin first go and couldn't be happier. Kept on my toes but also in the present moment where cool heads prevail. Made sure I was ready to pass and I did so thanks for that Martin you're a legend! As is the Advance Drive team with Aoife and Ailbhe who really kept things ticking along with great communication so you always know what's happening and when. Thank you you're the best! A positive experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!
January 11, 2024Galway

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