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  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">As filed with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission on September 27, 2002
  </FONT>
  <P align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>
  
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  </FONT>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="4">FORM S-8<BR>
  </Font>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  </FONT>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="4">SmartForce Public Limited Company
  <HR align="center" size="1" width="70%" noshade></Font>
  <DIV align="center"><font size="2"><I>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</I>
  </FONT></DIV>
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          <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
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          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="2">Republic of Ireland</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="2">Not Applicable</FONT></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><I>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
  incorporation or organization)</I></FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  <I>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
  Identification No.)</I></FONT></TD>
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          <TD width="51%">&nbsp;</TD>
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          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="2">20 Industrial Park Drive, Nashua, New Hampshire</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="2">03062</FONT></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  <I>(Address of principal executive offices)</I></FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  <I>(Zip Code)</I></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
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  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">Books 24x7.com, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan<BR>
  SkillSoft Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan<BR>
  SkillSoft Corporation 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan<BR>
  SkillSoft Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan<BR>
  <HR align="center" size="1" width="70%" noshade>
  <DIV align="center"><I>(Full title of the plan)</I>
  </DIV></FONT>
  
  
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">Charles E. Moran<BR>
  SmartForce Public Limited Company<BR>
  20 Industrial Park Drive<BR>
  Nashua, New Hampshire 03062<BR>
  <HR align="center" size="1" width="70%" noshade>
  
  <DIV align="center"><I>(Name and address of agent for service)</I>
  </DIV></FONT>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">(603)&nbsp;324-3000<BR>
  <HR align="center" size="1" width="70%" noshade>
  <DIV align="center"><I>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</I>
  </DIV></FONT>
  
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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          <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
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          <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Proposed</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Proposed Maximum</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Maximum</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Amount of</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Title of Securities</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Amount to be</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Offering Price</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Aggregate</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Registration</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">to be Registered</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Registered (1)</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Per Share</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Offering Price</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Fee</FONT></TD>
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          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
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          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Ordinary Shares
  issuable upon
  exercise of
  outstanding options
  (2)</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  12,377,036 shares (3)
  </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$3.21(4)
  </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$39,730,286(4)</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$3,655.19</FONT></TD>
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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <P>
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        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">In accordance with
  Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  &#147;Securities Act&#148;),
  this registration statement shall be deemed to cover any additional
  securities that may from time to time be offered or issued to prevent
  dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
  transactions.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Each Ordinary Share is represented by one of the registrant&#146;s American
  Depositary Shares.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Consists of (i)&nbsp;257,573 shares issuable under the Books24x7.com, Inc.
  1994 Stock Option Plan; (ii)&nbsp;2,482,050 shares issuable under the SkillSoft
  Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan; (iii)&nbsp;94,696 shares issuable under
  the SkillSoft Corporation 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan;
  and (iv)&nbsp;9,542,717 shares issuable under the SkillSoft Corporation 2001
  Stock Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(4)</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, and
  based on the average of the high and low prices of the American Depositary
  Shares as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on September 25, 2002,
  in accordance with Rules&nbsp;457(c) and (h)&nbsp;of the Securities Act.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-2-</FONT>
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  <!-- TOC -->
  <A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>
  
  <P><CENTER>
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  </TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">PART II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#012">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#013">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b44212sfexv4w1.txt">Ex-4.1 Memorandum of Association of the Registrant</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b44212sfexv4w2.txt">Ex-4.2 Articles of Association of the Company</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b44212sfexv5w1.txt">Ex-5.1 Opinion & Consent of Binchys, Solicitors</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b44212sfexv23w2.txt">Ex-23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young</A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- /TOC -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  
  
  
  <!-- link1 "PART I<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART I<BR>
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
  </FONT>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;1. </B>&nbsp;<B>Plan Information.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information required by Item&nbsp;1 is included in documents sent or given
  to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement pursuant to
  Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;2. </B>&nbsp;<B>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The written statement required by Item&nbsp;2 is included in documents sent or
  given to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement
  pursuant to Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link1 "PART II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART II<BR>
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
  </FONT>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;3. </B>&nbsp;<B>Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements
  of Sections&nbsp;13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
  statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
  (the &#147;Commission&#148;). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this registration statement by reference:
  </FONT>
  <P>
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  <TR>
          <TD width="3%"></TD>
          <TD width="97%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;The
  registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Sections
  13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or the latest prospectus filed
  pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) under the Securities Act that contains audited
  financial statements for the latest fiscal year for which
  such statements have been filed.</FONT></TD>
   </TR>
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
   <TR valign="top">
           <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
           <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;All
  other reports filed pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of
  the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the document
  referred to in (1)&nbsp;above.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;The description of the securities contained in the registrant&#146;s
  registration statement on Form&nbsp;8-A filed under the Exchange Act,
  including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
  description.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections
  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
  post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby
  have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
  be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the
  date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
  to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this registration statement to
  the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
  document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
  modified or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
  of this registration statement.
  </FONT>
  
  
  
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-3-</FONT>
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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;4. </B>&nbsp;<B>Description of Securities.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;6. </B>&nbsp;<B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant&#146;s Articles of Association authorize the registrant to
  indemnify the directors and officers of the registrant against certain
  liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims
  made by reason of their being such a director or officer. The registrant&#146;s
  subsidiary, SmartForce USA, has entered into indemnification agreements with
  its directors and officers and directors and officers of the registrant serving at
  the request of SmartForce USA. The indemnification agreements under certain
  circumstances require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify such
  officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of
  their status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities
  arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature) and to advance their
  expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they
  could be indemnified. The registrant has obtained directors and officers
  insurance providing indemnification for certain of the registrant&#146;s directors,
  officers, affiliates or employees for certain liabilities.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;7. </B>&nbsp;<B>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;8. </B>&nbsp;<B>Exhibits.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Exhibit&nbsp;Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated
  herein by reference.
  </FONT>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;9. </B>&nbsp;<B>Undertakings.</B>
  </FONT>
  <P>
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          <TD width="3%"></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2"><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Item&nbsp;512(a) of the Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I>. The undersigned
  registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
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          <TD width="6%"></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  <P>
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  <TR>
          <TD width="10%"></TD>
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          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
  the Securities Act;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-4-</FONT>
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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  
  
  
  
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          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
  after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
  recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
  the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
  set forth in the registration statement; and</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the
  plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
  statement or any material change to such information in the
  registration statement;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2"><I>provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the
  information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
  those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
  furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13
  or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  <P>
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
  <TR>
          <TD width="6%"></TD>
          <TD width="94%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
  registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
  offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
  fide offering thereof.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
  of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
  the offering.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  <P>
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
  <TR>
          <TD width="3%"></TD>
          <TD width="97%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <I>Item&nbsp;512(b) of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I>. The undersigned registrant hereby
  undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or
  Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <I>Item&nbsp;512(h) of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I>. Insofar as indemnification for
  liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
  officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
  provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion
  of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
  the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
  for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
  registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
  person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
  proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
  the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-5-</FONT>
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
  </FONT>
  
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration
  statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
  authorized, in Nashua, New Hampshire, on September 27, 2002.
  </FONT>
  <P>
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD width="47%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD colspan="2"><FONT size="2">SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
   <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
   </TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD colspan="2"><FONT size="2">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Charles E.
  Moran</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2"><HR noshade size="1" width="80%" align="left"></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">Charles E. Moran<BR>
  Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <!-- link1 "POWER OF ATTORNEY" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="012"></A></DIV>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
  </FONT>
  
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned officers and directors of SmartForce Public Limited
  Company hereby severally constitute and appoint Charles E. Moran, Thomas J.
  McDonald and Patrick J. Rondeau, and each of them singly, our true and lawful
  attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and
  in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement
  filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration
  statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and in our
  capacities as officers and directors to enable SmartForce Public Limited
  Company to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as
  amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
  ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
  attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all
  amendments thereto.
  </FONT>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-6-</FONT>
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  <P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
  this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in
  the capacities and on the 27th day of September, 2002.
  </FONT>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
          <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
          <TD width="60%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
          <TD>&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Charles E. Moran<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  Charles E. Moran</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  President, Chief Executive Officer and<BR>
  Director (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas J. McDonald<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  Thomas J. McDonald</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Chief Financial Officer<BR>
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ William T. Coleman<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  William T. Coleman III</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Director</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ P. Howard Edelstein<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  P. Howard Edelstein</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Director</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Stewart K.P. Gross<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  Stewart K.P. Gross</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Director</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ James S. Krzywicki<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  James S. Krzywicki</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Director</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Gregory M. Priest<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  Gregory M. Priest</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Director</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Ferdinand von Pronzynski<BR>
  </FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
  Ferdinand von Pronzynski</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Director</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-7-</FONT>
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="013"></A></DIV>
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
  </FONT>
  
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
          <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
          <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Memorandum of Association of the Registrant as amended on March 24,
  1992, March 31, 1995, April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001 and September 6, 2002</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Articles of Association of the Company as amended on July 6, 1995,
  and April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001 and September 6, 2002</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Opinion of Binchys, Solicitors</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Consent of Binchys, Solicitors (included in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Consent of Ernst &amp; Young, independent accountants.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
          <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
          <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
  Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages of this<BR>
  registration statement)</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  
  <P align="center"><FONT size="2">-8-</FONT>
  
  
  
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
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text: SmartForce Public Limited Company
  Table of Contents
  As filed with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission on September 27, 2002
  Registration No. 333-
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  SmartForce Public Limited Company
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Republic of Ireland
  Not Applicable
  (State or other jurisdiction of
  incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  20 Industrial Park Drive, Nashua, New Hampshire
  03062
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Books 24x7.com, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan
  SkillSoft Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
  SkillSoft Corporation 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
  SkillSoft Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
  (Full title of the plan)
  Charles E. Moran
  SmartForce Public Limited Company
  20 Industrial Park Drive
  Nashua, New Hampshire 03062
  (Name and address of agent for service)
  (603) 324-3000
  (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Proposed
  Proposed Maximum
  Maximum
  Amount of
  Title of Securities
  Amount to be
  Offering Price
  Aggregate
  Registration
  to be Registered
  Registered (1)
  Per Share
  Offering Price
  Fee
  Ordinary Shares
  issuable upon
  exercise of
  outstanding options
  (2)
  12,377,036 shares (3)
  $3.21(4)
  $39,730,286(4)
  $3,655.19
  Table of Contents
  (1)
  In accordance with
  Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  "Securities Act"),
  this registration statement shall be deemed to cover any additional
  securities that may from time to time be offered or issued to prevent
  dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
  transactions.
  (2)
  Each Ordinary Share is represented by one of the registrant's American
  Depositary Shares.
  (3)
  Consists of (i) 257,573 shares issuable under the Books24x7.com, Inc.
  1994 Stock Option Plan; (ii) 2,482,050 shares issuable under the SkillSoft
  Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan; (iii) 94,696 shares issuable under
  the SkillSoft Corporation 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan;
  and (iv) 9,542,717 shares issuable under the SkillSoft Corporation 2001
  Stock Incentive Plan.
  (4)
  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, and
  based on the average of the high and low prices of the American Depositary
  Shares as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on September 25, 2002,
  in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act.
  -2-
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1. Plan Information.
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
  Item 4. Description of Securities.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  SIGNATURES
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Ex-4.1 Memorandum of Association of the Registrant
  Ex-4.2 Articles of Association of the Company
  Ex-5.1 Opinion & Consent of Binchys, Solicitors
  Ex-23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young
  Table of Contents
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1.
  Plan Information.
  The information required by Item 1 is included in documents sent or given
  to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement pursuant to
  Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.
  Item 2.
  Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  The written statement required by Item 2 is included in documents sent or
  given to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement
  pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3.
  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
  The registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements
  of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
  statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
  (the "Commission"). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this registration statement by reference:
  (1) The
  registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Sections
  13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or the latest prospectus filed
  pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that contains audited
  financial statements for the latest fiscal year for which
  such statements have been filed.
  (2) All
  other reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of
  the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the document
  referred to in (1) above.
  (3) The description of the securities contained in the registrant's
  registration statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act,
  including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
  description.
  All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections
  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
  post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby
  have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
  be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the
  date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
  to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this registration statement to
  the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
  document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
  modified or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
  of this registration statement.
  -3-
  Table of Contents
  Item 4.
  Description of Securities.
  Not applicable.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Not applicable.
  Item 6.
  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  The registrant's Articles of Association authorize the registrant to
  indemnify the directors and officers of the registrant against certain
  liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims
  made by reason of their being such a director or officer. The registrant's
  subsidiary, SmartForce USA, has entered into indemnification agreements with
  its directors and officers and directors and officers of the registrant serving at
  the request of SmartForce USA. The indemnification agreements under certain
  circumstances require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify such
  officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of
  their status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities
  arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature) and to advance their
  expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they
  could be indemnified. The registrant has obtained directors and officers
  insurance providing indemnification for certain of the registrant's directors,
  officers, affiliates or employees for certain liabilities.
  Item 7.
  Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Not applicable.
  Item 8.
  Exhibits.
  The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated
  herein by reference.
  Item 9.
  Undertakings.
  1. Item 512(a) of the Regulation S-K
  . The undersigned
  registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
  the Securities Act;
  -4-
  Table of Contents
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
  after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
  recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
  the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
  set forth in the registration statement; and
  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
  plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
  statement or any material change to such information in the
  registration statement;
  provided, however
  , that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
  information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
  those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
  furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
  or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement.
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
  registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
  offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
  fide offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
  of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
  the offering.
  2.
  Item 512(b) of Regulation S-K
  . The undersigned registrant hereby
  undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
  Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  3.
  Item 512(h) of Regulation S-K
  . Insofar as indemnification for
  liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
  officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
  provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion
  of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
  the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
  for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
  registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
  person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
  proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
  the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
  statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
  authorized, in Nashua, New Hampshire, on September 27, 2002.
  SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
  By:    /s/ Charles E.
  Moran
  Charles E. Moran
  Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  We, the undersigned officers and directors of SmartForce Public Limited
  Company hereby severally constitute and appoint Charles E. Moran, Thomas J.
  McDonald and Patrick J. Rondeau, and each of them singly, our true and lawful
  attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and
  in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement
  filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration
  statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and in our
  capacities as officers and directors to enable SmartForce Public Limited
  Company to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as
  amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
  ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
  attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all
  amendments thereto.
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  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
  this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in
  the capacities and on the 27th day of September, 2002.
  Signature
  Title
  /s/ Charles E. Moran
  Charles E. Moran
  President, Chief Executive Officer and
  Director (Principal Executive Officer)
  /s/ Thomas J. McDonald
  Thomas J. McDonald
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  /s/ William T. Coleman
  William T. Coleman III
  Director
  /s/ P. Howard Edelstein
  P. Howard Edelstein
  Director
  /s/ Stewart K.P. Gross
  Stewart K.P. Gross
  Director
  /s/ James S. Krzywicki
  James S. Krzywicki
  Director
  /s/ Gregory M. Priest
  Gregory M. Priest
  Director
  /s/ Ferdinand von Pronzynski
  Ferdinand von Pronzynski
  Director
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  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit
  Number
  Exhibit
  4.1
  Memorandum of Association of the Registrant as amended on March 24,
  1992, March 31, 1995, April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001 and September 6, 2002
  4.2
  Articles of Association of the Company as amended on July 6, 1995,
  and April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001 and September 6, 2002
  5.1
  Opinion of Binchys, Solicitors
  23.1
  Consent of Binchys, Solicitors (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.2
  Consent of Ernst & Young, independent accountants.
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages of this
  registration statement)
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