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 has responsibility for the Enterprise team, which includes Skillnet, Community Employment & LEADER Programmes as well as the EIP Programmes. She supports the Manager in the day-to-day running of the company including Human Resources & the financial operations of a number of programmes. Eileen monitors LEADER through its IT system and she represents Local Development Companies on Cork County Childcare Committee, which she currently chairs. Eileen is a Trustee of the Pobal Pension Scheme.

Triona is Employment, Training and Social Inclusion Coordinator 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 to access LEADER funding and supports the work of both the Community and Employment Working Groups.

Helen is the Community Services Team Leader with 18 years’ experience in the sector. She oversees the Rural Community Health Initiative, Towards Occupation, Strive,
and Newmarket Afterschools . Helen is the co-ordinator of our Ukrainian Response Programme overseeing the rollout of our supports across the region. Helen also works closely with communities in South and North eastern Duhallow to access supports and funding through LEADER & SICAP. She also oversees the Community Development, Youth & Equality Working Groups.

Louise joined the IRD Duhallow in November 2010, as the Enterprise and Tourism Development Officer, coordinating 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 also oversees the fortnightly publication of Discover Duhallow.

Bríghid-Íde commenced work with IRD Duhallow in 2019. As a Development Officer she covers areas including Equality, Youth, Employment and Training. She is the Afterschools Co-ordinator and Co-ordinator of IRD Duhallow’s STRIVE programme which supports young people, with a wide spectrum of abilities, to improve their employment prospects and social skills. Bríghid-Íde supports the implementation of strategic actions for IRD Duhallow and in particular engaging specific groups including people with disabilities, children and youths, older people and in particular people experiencing rural isolation and social exclusion. Bríghid-Íde is the staff resource for the Equality Working Group and Youth and Education Working Group.

Maggie joined IRD Duhallow in January 2020. She is currently supporting the finance department through the preparation and processing of monthly accounts for IRD Duhallow Main Accounts, IRD Duhallow Furniture Revamp and Duhallow Community Food Services. Maggie is responsible for compiling associated financial reports, which are presented at monthly Board and Social Economy Working Group meetings, whilst also offering support to Management within these divisions. Maggie liaises with the social enterprises within the company supporting them in preparing end of year financial statements.

Margaret is the Senior Accounts Administrator and has been employed by IRD Duhallow for twenty- six years. She has responsibility for Skillnet, EIP Blue Dot and Afterschools Accounts. She prepares monthly accounts and updates budgetary reports for Management to assist in ensuring annual targets are adhered to. She completes the financial returns for each Programme and submits them to Departments on a monthly and quarterly basis. She reports to the Social Economy Working Group each month on the financial information for Afterschools.

Nollaig joined the staff of IRD Duhallow in 2017 on a part-time basis. She works as a Development Officer on both the LEADER and SICAP Programmes. Nollaig is involved with projects relating to IRD Duhallow’s Equality and Integration of New Communities remit, EU 50 celebration projects and LEADER funded historic graveyard projects. She also works as a tutor on the Touch Type Read Spell computer classes run as part of IRD Duhallow’s Literacy Support Programme for children.

Stephanie joined IRD Duhallow in August 2018 and is a Development Officer as part of the Community and Employment Team supporting communities with the process of grant applications. She is the staff resource for IRD Duhallow Jobs Centre and CV Clinic service as well as Local Area Employment Service, the Duhallow Carers Network, SAOI network, Women’s Forum and Dormant Accounts programme and coordinates a wide range of community events and educational offerings.

Derval is employed as a clerical officer and is based in the Reception and Administration Office. She has been employed by IRD Duhallow on a part time basis for over 23 years. Derval deals with initial queries to the company and supports Management and Staff with administration assistance. Her areas of responsibility include the company’s administration requirements and is editor of the company’s monthly Newsletter. 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.

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

Paddy is the Supervisor of our CE scheme and has over 22 years’ experience. He focuses his work on engaging with the participants to motivate them and to help them identify their strengths and develop these strengths through their work placements and through training. Paddy completes detailed Individual Learning Plans with the Participants on a one to one basis to enhance their skills for full time employment. He also works with the local communities agreeing the work to be carried out where the Community Employment participants are placed.

Amanda joined IRD Duhallow in September 2023 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. She also undertakes the payroll and supports the monitoring of monthly financial returns and the administration for the CE scheme.

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 LTI, T.O and other in house programmes.

Nuala joined IRD Duhallow in Nov 2008 as part of the Warmer Homes team and was their BER Assessor. She joined the LIFE Project in Nov 2012, as clerical field officer. In August 2016 she became Tús supervisor. Nuala continues the work of the Raptor AfterLIFE actions and educates school children on the environment. She supports the RSS, Tús, Walks , Environment and AfterLife schemes. Nuala leads the walks for IRD Duhallow and oversees the necessary maintenance of them.

Rachel joined IRD Duhallow in 2014 as a Horticultural Trainer, where she was staff support to the award winning IRD Duhallow Community Gardens. In March 2016 she became the Co-ordinator for the Local Training Initiative in Horticulture. Rachel is currently the Duhallow Social Farming Facilitator. She is responsible for recruiting and supporting host farmers and project participants, working with the Towards Opportunities and Strive participants and for developing and managing the Duhallow Social Farm horticultural enterprise.

Julie joined IRD Duhallow in March 2015 and is part of the Finance department. Her primary responsibilities are in relation to the management of accounts for various
programmes within the organisation. Her role includes undertaking revenue returns, banking reports, and preparation of supplier payments. She is also responsible for the Creditors payments function and Debtors accounts reconciliation’s within Duhallow Community Foods on a
monthly basis.

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 and developing the social enterprises and supporting their staff. Monica also assists with our Skillnet Programme, supporting local businesses to upskill and develop talent. She coordinates the enterprise and tourism LEADER funding.

P.J. joined IRD Duhallow in November 2021 as the Social Enterprise Development Officer. P.J. works with social enterprises across Duhallow by organising training and workshops to help their development and increase their social impact. He also became the KickStart Coordinator in October 2022 which is a programme that provides employment opportunities to people with a criminal conviction. P.J.’s role is to offer support and identify training which will help the participants to secure full-time employment with the goal of reducing recidivism.

Denis joined IRD Duhallow in May 2023, taking up the position of Rural Community Health Worker. (RCHW) Denis has a background addressing the needs of diverse populations with over seven years working in community support and development, particularly in the areas of Refugee Resettlement and Tenancy Sustainment in his current role as RCHW Denis works to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in the Duhallow region through building connections and organising, delivering, and signposting to activities that promote health and wellbeing.

Jackie joined IRD Duhallow in September 2020 and is the Accounts Manager. She is responsible for creating and implementing internal financial control procedures. She presents financial reports for management and the Board of Directors monthly. In addition she prepares financial returns for programs such as LEADER and SICAP. Jackie is responsible for monitoring budgets and prepares variance analysis along with commentary. Jackie liaises with company auditors for the preparation of year-end accounts.

Mike joined IRD Duhallow in November 2020 as the Project Scientist for the Duhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments EIP project where he is responsible for farm planning, results-based scoring and the monitoring of water quality and biodiversity on project farms. Mike also provides administrative support to the Duhallow Beekeepers Association and is responsible for many of the company’s LEADER-funded biodiversity projects. In 2022, he also worked as the Project Ecologist on the Owentaraglin River EIP. Mike is staff resource for the Environment Working Group.

Alannah joined IRD Duhallow as the Rural Recreation Officer in October 2022. In her current role she oversees the management and enhancement of trails within Duhallow and implements the Walk Scheme along the Duhallow Way. She also assists local communities with developing new routes and trails within the area. She plays a key role in the promotion of trails and outdoor recreation around Duhallow and is currently working towards launching the Duhallow Trails App. Alannah also leads walks for IRD Duhallow.

Mariia joined IRD Duhallow on a part time basis in June 2022 as part of the Community Services Team working specifically on the Ukrainian response. She is the Ukrainian Refugees` Support Worker and through this role, acts as an English/Ukrainian translator. As part of her day to day activities, Mariia helps the team to communicate with Ukrainian Refugees, and assists the team in developing supports to help integrate refugees into the wider Duhallow community.

Colm joined IRD Duhallow and the Furniture Revamp Team in 2016 and in 2020 was the Revamp Kickstart Programme coordinator. He was appointed RSS Supervisor in November 2021 with responsibility for coordinating and supervising participants placed in a number of settings. Colm also looks after the transport portfolio in the company and coordinates the maintenance of our fleet of vehicles.
Colm is a member of the Health and Safety committee.

Sandra joined IRD Duhallow in November 2022 as a development officer and is currently responsible for coordinating the C.E. Rehabilitation Scheme working with individuals in the Duhallow area in recovery from substance misuse and addiction around their employment and education needs in order to reintegrate them into the community and enable them to gain employment in their chosen area. She is also working as a part time case officer with the Local Area Employment Service.

Yuliia joined the IRD Duhallow team in September 2022 as a Ukrainian support worker. Having arrived in Ireland in April 2022 as a refugee herself she now works directly with Ukrainians across the region providing them with information and advocacy at our drop-in clinics and linking them to training courses, English classes and social inclusion activities. Yuliia provides translation support to the HSE as part of their InReach & Psychology teams while also working closely with the Local Authority Housing Dept.

Alina was contracted by IRD Duhallow in 2022 initially as a part time interpreter and has taken up the role of Ukrainian Support Worker since January 2023. Alina provides interpretation for courses and events that IRD Duhallow delivers and oversees social media on Ukrainian supports. Alina organises courses and events in response to the needs of the Ukrainian community and as part of a team facilitates our fortnightly Ukrainian drop-in clinics. Alina supports families relocating to Duhallow helping them to integrate into the community.