The Staff

Maura was appointed Manager of IRD Duhallow in 1991. An advocate of the “bottom-up” approach to Rural Development. Maura has managed the successful introduction, development and implementation of the LEADER Programmes, the Social Inclusion Programme and other initiatives in Duhallow. Maura is an active member of the Irish LEADER Development Network and has addressed a number of National and International Rural Development Conferences. Maura Walsh holds a BSc (Econ) from London University and a Diploma in Social Science and is currently undertaking a Masters in Leadership Management and Professional Practice.

Eileen is the Assistant Manager and supports the Manager in the day-to-day running of the company including Human Resources & the financial operations of a number of programmes & Social Enterprises. She manages the LEADER programme and monitors LEADER through its IT system.
Eileen supports the Team Leaders in their roles to ensure effective and efficient running of their teams and programmes. She represents Local Development Companies on Cork County Childcare Committee, which
she currently chairs.

Triona is Employment, Training and Social Inclusion Team Leader with overall responsibility for SICAP and the Local
Area Employment Services Programme. She oversees the Equality and Training briefs including: Duhallow REVAMP, the Walks Scheme, CE Rehabilitation Scheme, Social
Farming, RSS and Tús. She works with communities in Western Duhallow and Mid Cork to access LEADER funding and supports the work of both the Community and
Employment Working Groups.

Helen is the Community Services Team Leader. She oversees the Rural Community Health Initiative, Towards Occupation, Workability Programme and Afterschools. She co-ordinates our Ukrainian Response & New Arrivals Programme and liaises with other agencies involved at regional level.
Helen works on both the LEADER & SICAP Programmes supporting community groups in Duhallow access supports and funding. She also oversees the Community Development& Youth & Equality Working Groups.

Louise joined IRD Duhallow in November 2010 and is the Enterprise & Environment Team Leader. She coordinates the Enterprise and Tourism support measures of LEADER and SICAP. Louise implements the skillnet programme in the region, coordinating quality affordable training for local
businesses and she is the appointed staff liaison for the Enterprise Working Group. She oversees the Environment measures and has responsibility for the Community Investment Fund.

Jackie joined IRD Duhallow in September 2020 and is the Accounts Manager. She is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the company’s financial systems and procedures. She presents financial reports for management
and the Board of Directors monthly. She prepares financial returns for programs such as LEADER and SICAP, monitors Budgets and prepares variance analysis along with
commentary. Jackie liaises with company auditors for yearend accounts.

Nollaig is employed since 2017 as a Development Officer with IRD Duhallow. She works on both LEADER and SICAP programmes. She coordinates the Communicating Europe Initiative, organising events that foster public engagement with EU matters. Her role includes work on heritage
projects. She also works on social inclusion activities that supports integration of new communities. She is a tutor on the TTRS computer classes, which are part of IRD
Duhallow’s Literacy Support Programme aimed at enhancing children's reading, writing, and spelling skills.

Monica joined the IRD Duhallow team in June 2021 as Development Officer on the Enterprise Team. Monica works as Business Development Manager for the Company’s
Community Enterprises through the Community Services Programme. She promotes good business practices,
developing the social enterprises and supporting their staff. Monica also assists with IRD’s Skillnet Programme, supporting local businesses to upskill and develop talent.
She coordinates the enterprise and tourism actions of the LEADER programme.

Lenora joined IRD Duhallow in November 2024 as a Development Officer, she is responsible for the assisting with the SICAP and SAOI Programmes and has worked with the Communicating Europe Programme. Lenora is also Case Officer with the Local Area Employment Services. Her responsibilities include identifying local employment opportunities, sourcing
relevant training to enhance clients’ skillsets, and supporting their pathways to future employment.

Melissa joined IRD Duhallow in March 2025 as a Development Officer. She coordinates the Afterschool’s programme and the WorkAbility programme. The WorkAbility programme focuses on progressive employment pathways for individuals with diverse needs through education, training, skills development, and tailored supports. She also oversees the Youth, Children, and Families actions under SICAP and serves as the staff
resource for the Youth and Education Working Group.

Shane joined IRD Duhallow in May 2025 in the role of Rural Community Health Worker, with a strong focus on suicide prevention and intervention. Shane supports initiatives that
seek to promote awareness of mental health issues and that empower members of the community to take charge of their own mental health. Shane also acts as a bridge to
various support services both within IRD Duhallow and in the broader region. Men’s mental health, and the greater participation of men in health initiatives, are a particular
focus of his work.

Margaret is the Senior Accounts Administrator and has been employed by IRD Duhallow for twenty- eight years. She has responsibility for Duhallow Skillnet and Out of Schools Accounts. She prepares monthly accounts and completes the financial returns for both Programmes and submits them to Departments on a monthly and quarterly
basis. She prepares budget v actual reports for Management and monitors Debtors for each Programme. She reports to the Social Economy Working Group each month on the financial information for Afterschools.

Maggie joined IRD Duhallow in January 2020. She is currently supporting the finance department through the preparation and processing of monthly accounts for both
Duhallow Community Food Services and IRD Duhallow Furniture Revamp. Maggie is responsible for compiling associated financial reports, which are presented at the monthly Board and Social Economy Working Group
meetings, whilst also offering support to Management. Maggie liaises with the Duhallow Community Food Services company auditors for the preparation of the yearend
financial statement. Maggie also contributes to the main accounts within IRD Duhallow through the preparation and processing of Accounts Payable.

Julie joined IRD Duhallow in March 2015 and is part of the Finance department. Her primary responsibilities are in relation to Payroll for various programmes within the
company. Her role includes processing weekly payrolls and generating associated reports. She is also responsible for CSP returns in relation to the Wages Grant received from Pobal. Julie’s role also includes reconciliation of Creditor Accounts and processing payments to Suppliers on a
monthly basis .Julie also processes the applications for Personal Alarms units through the Senior Alert Scheme.

Aidan joined IRD Duhallow in March 2025 as the Farming for Water Agricultural Community Animator. He is responsible for the recruitment of farmers into the Farming
for Water EIP project, promoting best practices and assisting in community led work to enhance the reach and impact of
the Farming for Water EIP. Aidan is the staff resource to the Environment and Agriculture Working groups.

Colm joined IRD Duhallow and the Furniture Revamp Team in 2016 and in 2020 has been the Revamp Kickstart Programme coordinator. He was appointed RSS Supervisor in November 2021 and Rural Recreation Officer in 2025. Colm looks after the transport portfolio in the company and
coordinates the maintenance of our fleet of vehicles. He also supports our Circular Economy Initiatives. Colm is a member of the Health and Safety committee and is one of
the in-house manual handling instructor.

Ciarán joined IRD Duhallow in April 2024 as a Development Officer, working mainly as a case officer with the Local Area Employment Services. Ciarán’s responsibilities include
exploring employment opportunities in the area and identifying training to improve the client’s skillset and increase their chances of employment in the future. Ciarán meets clients of the LAES in our Newmarket and Macroom offices. Ciarán also support communities in LEADER & SICAP Applications.

Ellie joined IRD Duhallow in April 2025 as Social Farming Coordinator. She manages our Social Farm and Community Gardens and facilitates Towards Occupation and Workability gardening groups, as well as Gardening CE Scheme participants. She is responsible for recruiting and supporting host farmers and project participants. Ellie is a committee member of Community Gardens Ireland and is the current secretary of The Environmental Forum’s board of
directors.

Derval is employed as an Administrator based in the Reception Office. She has been employed by IRD Duhallow on a part time basis for 25 years. She deals with initial
queries to the company and provides administration support to Management and Staff. Her areas of responsibility include the company’s administration requirements and is editor of the company’s monthly Newsletter, which is circulated to over 14,000 homes. Derval is one of the Liaison Persons with the National Vetting Bureau on behalf of Partnership Companies supporting Garda Vetting Applications nationally.

Marie is supervisor of the Rural Social Scheme and oversees the participant’s placements throughout the Duhallow
region. She is secretary of the Health and Safety Committee and coordinates company training and development in line with Excellence Through People guidelines. Her other duties include overseeing the Company’s IT and Phone Systems and ensures we are compliant with national bodies such as the Charities and Lobbying Regulator and the Standards in Public Office.

Paddy has over 23 years experience in the role of CE Supervisor. In that time, he has supported participants on the scheme to develop their skills and encourages them to access training in their bid to return to mainstream employment using the online Individual Learning Plan Computer System whereby each participant receives a tailored progression plan. Paddy liaises will all sub sponsors on the scheme to ensure we are providing maximum benefit to the communities we serve. He also works closely with the IRD Duhallow Job Centre Employment Officer.

Colm joined IRD Duhallow in July 2007 as the Warmer Homes Scheme Coordinator and is responsible for the implementation of a number of SEAI programmes which include the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, Home Incentive Scheme, Better Energy Communities & Senior Alert Scheme. Colm coordinates staff training in line with the NSAI’s Cavity Wall Insulation System. Colm is responsible for the monthly accounts for Warmer Homes and processes the payroll. He chairs our Health & Safety Committee and is a fully qualified Manual Handling instructor.

Don was appointed Tús Supervisor in June 2011. His main areas of responsibility include placement, induction, training and supervision of scheme participants in the areas of built heritage renovation and vintage machinery restoration. Don has over 20 years’experience as a sub-contractor in the construction industry in Ireland and abroad. He is a master craftsman and stonemason, and trains participants on the T.O. and other in house programmes.

Amanda joined IRD Duhallow in September 2022 as the CE Assistant Supervisor and is currently responsible for working alongside Paddy O’Connor in assisting people who are long term unemployed to work towards their personal and career goals developing their skills and encouraging them back into mainstream employment, helping each participant develop a tailored progression plan. She also oversees the payroll/finances and administration for the CE scheme.

Mariia is the Integration Officer, CFI Coordinator, and Interpreter at IRD Duhallow. She joined IRD Duhallow in June 2022 as a part of Ukrainian Response team. In her role, Mariia organises a wide range of activities including work-related training courses, mental health and wellbeing events, and
integration initiatives. She also provides tailored career guidance and support to individuals navigating employment pathways. Since April 2025, Mariia has taken on
responsibilities under the Community Food Initiative (CFI), where she actively promotes healthy eating habits among vulnerable groups, with the goal of improving nutrition and reducing health inequalities across the community.

Yuliia joined IRD Duhallow in September 2022 as an Integration Officer. She supports both refugees and asylum seekers across
the region, offering tailored information to help them navigate local systems. Yuliia organises a range of workshops and
training programmes focused on building employment-related skills and supporting mental health and well-being. She also
continues to provide interpreting support at the weekly GP clinic. She works closely with the local Housing Department under the Offer a Home scheme, helping newly arrived families access accommodation. In collaboration with our Tús supervisors, she also supports Ukrainian participants engaged
in the Tús activation programme, guiding them through the process and helping them integrate into the local community.