This week In my life talks to Robert Ballagh, Artist

Where did you go to school? Blackrock College, Dublin.

What was your best subject? Art! I also liked geography, English and Irish. I enjoyed the broad selection of subjects for Leaving Cert.

What was your worst subject?  I wasn't so keen on applied maths, in fact I dropped it before the exams.

If you could put a new subject on the Leaving Cert, what would it be?  Human rights education. I'm involved in a project with Amnesty International at the moment to bring human rights education to Irish schools.

What was your earliest career ambition?  I wanted to be a rock'n'roll star. I did play with a showband for a number of years after I dropped out of college.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?  John Coyle, my art teacher at Blackrock. I still meet him from time to time as he's involved with the Royal Academy.

Who was your childhood idol? My father, although I'm only coming to appreciate that now. He was kind, laid back and fair- minded. I was an only child and used to trail around after him to galleries and exhibitions, although he was more sporty than artistic.

Who was your best friend? Frank Rafter. We were both addicted to rock'n'roll.

What is he doing now? He's a dentist.

What TV programme/film most reminds you of your schooldays? Anything starring John Wayne

What song most reminds you of your schooldays? Rock Around the Clock.

What food most reminds you of your schooldays? Milk and a bun

What's the boldest thing you ever did in school? I was expelled from Blackrock College twice - once for wearing jeans and once for speaking to a girl at a football match, which wasn't allowed. My father, who was Protestant, was bemused by the punishment on both occasions, but managed to convince the school to take me back.

Who did you bring to your debs? We weren't allowed to talk to girls, remember?

What was your most memorable holiday? Visiting my great aunt's farm and milking the cows. As an adult, it was a recent trip to Kerala in India.

What's the last book you read? Brigadista by Bob Doyle

Did you go to college and if so, what did you study? I studied architecture at Bolton Street College of Technology for three years but I dropped out to become a musician. I eventually sold my bass guitar to Phil Lynott

Would you send your own children to the same school that you went to? I haven't. My wife and I were determined to send them to non-denominational schools. That was extremely difficult 30 years ago.

What was the best thing about your education? The number of subjects we took - I think I had 12 at one stage.

What was the worst thing about your education? Blackrock College was all boys, all middle class and all Catholic. In my view that was not a formula for creating a rounded human being. I would love to see a common education system for all in this country.