Getting to know your Chamber team

ALLAN SHINE

CEO of County Kildare Chamber

Home place

Straffan. There is so much to do around the village and we are so close to Naas and Maynooth. Great local community and everything you could want is on our doorstep.

Hobbies & interests

Golf, Politics and Horseracing in no particular order. Raising 3 kids ensures my golf is taking a back seat.

Favourite food

Anything my wife Sinead cooks. I suffer through watching cooking programmes, knowing that dinner the next day will be top class.

Person you most admire

Rory McIlroy – a leader in his field both on and off the course. Heart on his sleeve, driven and his charity work is amazing.

What 3 words would your friends use to describe you

Good fun, crap golfer, dependable.

JENNIFER FORSTER

Marketing & Communications Manager at County Kildare Chamber

Home place

Home is Celbridge, I lived there before renting out in Dun Laoghaire, and recently buying a new house in Naas with my partner, Shane.

Hobbies & interests

Like most, I enjoy a bit of retail therapy, lately it’s been more practical purchases though – like flooring, and blinds! At the weekends I enjoy going for walks with Shane & our puppy, Millie, and having friends and family over for dinner.

Favourite food

This really depends on my mood, but I would probably say my favourite is a Thai Green Curry. I’ve already found my favourite in Naas.

Person you most admire

My grandmother, or as I call her ‘Gran’ – She’s as lively and fun as she was 25 years ago, I don’t know how she does it. Fingers crossed for those genes!

What 3 words would your friends use to describe you

Loyal, caring and trustworthy.

SINÉAD RONAN

Public Affairs Manager

Home place

Bishopstown, Cork. One of my favourite places is Garretstown Beach, I drive down at least once a week for a walk by the sea.

Hobbies & interests

Current affairs and politics, outdoor walks and hikes, watching rugby and Cork GAA (I’m a long suffering supporter!)

Favourite food

A really good Chicken Korma!

Person you most admire

Mary Robinson, even before becoming Irelands first female President, paved the way for equality and expression of freedom within Ireland. She and others of her generation completely changed Ireland’s trajectory as a country. As a small child, watching her as President and even to this day she is still a huge inspiration to me and someone I most admire.

What 3 words would your friends use to describe you

Reliable, driven and perceptive.

Barretstown Winter Wonderland

This year saw the return of Barretstown’s Winter Wonderland event. The weekend of the 26th & 27th of November was filled with festive cheer, as families from near and far travelled to visit Santa and support Barretstown. The campus was buzzing with Christmas market stalls, magical train rides, festive fun & games, plus lots more. Children also got to pay a visit to Santa in his magical Christmas grotto, the perfect way to kick start the festive season.

Barretstown wouldn’t be able to run this festive event without the support of our amazing volunteers, who so selflessly give up their time to support us. On behalf of the children and families we serve who are affected by serious illness, we would like to say a huge Thank You to the County Kildare Chamber and all of its members who so kindly volunteered at this event, your support is truly appreciated. Barretstown empowers and encourages each child to step out of their comfort zone and re-build their confidence through our medically endorsed therapeutic programmes. They start to discover the magic of being a child again.

Childhood stops for seriously ill children. At Barretstown we Press Play.

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to support our programmes. If you would like to find out more about volunteering at camp please visit www.barretstown.org.

We wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas and New year and hope it is filled with as much magic as you have helped us spread this Christmas.

Barretstown offers free therapeutic programmes at our unique specially designed campus in Co. Kildare and through outreach programmes in hospitals and schools throughout Ireland, for children and their families living with a serious illness.