Governance

Anne was a member of the Irish diplomatic service from 1972 to 2017. She served as Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States (2013 to 2017), to the United Nations, New York (2009 to 2013), to France (2005 to 2009), to the European Union (2001 to 2005), and to the United Nations, Geneva (1995 to 2001).

Her extensive multilateral experience includes chairing the UN Commission on Human Rights (1999 to 2000) and the WTO Trade Policy Review Body; in New York, she oversaw a Review of the UN peace-building machinery and co-facilitated work on Review of the UN Millennium Development Goals. During her EU assignment, she led the Brussels team for Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2004.

Her bilateral assignments as Ambassador in France and the US, focusing on economic and political issues, included a strong cultural component. She was an ex officio member of the Board of the Irish College in Paris, and in 2016 helped to lead the 1916 centenary celebrations in the US - including a three-week festival at the Kennedy Center, DC, the largest festival of Irish culture ever held outside Ireland.

Born in Clonmel, Tipperary in 1952, Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University College Dublin (History and Political Science) and a Diploma in Legal Studies from King's Inns, Dublin. Her numerous awards include Honorary Doctorates from the National University of Ireland (Doctor of Laws) and from Fordham University, New York (Doctor of Humane Letters).

Appointed to Druid Board of Directors: November 2017.

Mary is the Founding Director and former President of the Trinity Foundation, the fundraising arm of Trinity College Dublin. She is currently a member of the Board of the Landmark Trust and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Mary has over thirty years' experience in fundraising for third-level and non-profit organisations.

Appointed to the Druid Board of Directors: December 2018

Cilian grew up in Connemara and graduated from NUIG in 1988 with a BSc Hons in Marine Zoology. After a career at sea, he joined RTÉ and was appointed Producer of The Late Late Show with Gay Byrne. He then served as Head of Programmes in TG4 before co-founding his own communications company, Stillwater Communications. He is a strategic advisor to a host of national and international organisations and spends much of the year in San Francisco working with technology companies. In 2016 he created and produced the award-winning Centenary show on RTÉ, which was one of highlights of the 100th anniversary of the Rising.

Appointed to the Druid Board of Directors: May 2018

Padraic is from Mountbellew, Galway and graduated from University College Galway with a Law and Politics Degree. Padraic qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and spent his early years working in Galway. Upon moving to Dublin, he founded his own firm Ferrys Solicitors where he remains as joint managing partner.

While in Galway he chaired the boards of both the Galway Arts Festival and Macnas Theatre Company. In Dublin he has served on a number of boards and has co-founded Ranelagh Arts Festival.

Appointed to Druid Board of Directors: May 2018.

Tom joined Galway University Foundation in September 2005 as CEO and is a director of New York-based US subsidiary GUF Inc. Tom previously spent over 25 years in business, 14 of which as Managing Director of Connacht Court Group Ltd. He is currently Chair of Celtic Linen Board, a former Chair of NBCRI (National Breast Cancer Research Institute), and former President of Textile Services Association UK.

Tom is a native of Mulranny, Mayo, a fellow of the Marketing Institute of Ireland and a Freeman of the City of London. Tom and his wife Éilis have lived in Galway since the mid 70s.

Appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors: July 2019

Appointed to Druid Board of Directors: December 2021.

Bernadette qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1999 and as a Tax Consultant in 2002. Having graduated from University College Dublin with a Commerce degree, she joined Duignan Carthy O’Neill, a medium-sized practice in Dublin, where she completed her training.

In 2002, she formed Murtagh & Co, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors, which is based in Galway city.

She is currently Treasurer of the Western Society of Chartered Accountants.

Appointed as Secretary to the Board: July 2013

Born in Portlaoise, reared and educated in Galway, Sean has been a journalist and broadcaster for 48 years, initially in print with the Connacht Tribune and the Irish Press group, where he worked in sub-editing, sport and feature-writing, before specialising in politics.

For 25 years up to 2020, Sean was a presenter in the RTÉ Radio 1 daily schedule, on the News at One and, from 2013, on the mid-morning Today With Sean O'Rourke, a mix of current affairs, culture, health and human interest items.

For 10 years, Sean was the presenter of The Week in Politics on RTÉ One. He is a three-time winner of the PPI Radio Award of News Broadcaster of the Year and was awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway in 2011. He is an Honorary Professor of Journalism at NUI Galway.

Appointed to Druid Board of Directors: December 2020.

Helen has a Bachelor of Engineering from NUI Galway, a Masters in Project Management from UL, and has completed a Senior Executive Programme at Stanford University. Helen has received an Honorary Doctorate from NUI Galway and is a fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland, and a member of the Irish Academy of Engineers.

Helen currently holds a number of board positions including Enterprise Ireland, Dia Nia Technologies and Galway University Foundation, and acts as a strategic advisor to a number of indigenous companies.

Helen was the Chief Executive Officer of Creganna Medical, ranked among the world’s top 10 medical device outsource providers, from 2005 to 2013. During Helen’s time as CEO, the company grew five-fold to become the largest indigenous medical device company. The expansion included three company acquisitions, a strategic joint venture in Asia, and the raising of significant debt and equity financing.

Prior to joining Creganna Medical in 2003, Helen worked with Medtronic and Covidien in Product Development and Research & Development roles.

Appointed to Druid Board of Directors: December 2017.