Manager’s Report

This year has been exceptional bringing challenges unforeseen, unexpected and unplanned for, but also bringing opportunities unforeseen and thanks to the enterprising spirit of our management team these opportunities have been taken and we have new programmes to add value to our existing ones and bring an enhanced service to our communities.

I am proud of our response to the COVID-19 crisis and how well all our staff, including CSP, RSS, Tús and CE participants showed great courage and trust in our leadership and stood up to the challenge by moving to other areas of work when some community facilities closed so that as a company we were able to offer new and expanded services and take on new initiatives and programmes in response to the COVID-19 call in Cork and Kerry, while at the same time delivering on all our existing programme commitments. Our monthly newsletter and Discover Duhallow magazine played a significant role in getting the Covid message across and informing and entertaining our readers. Thanks to Maggie O’Callaghan and her team and Derval Corbett for their work. We were delighted to receive one of the Community Awards from Kerry County Council for our COVID-19 response. The health and safety of our staff and volunteers is paramount and all remained at work in our offices throughout. Thanks to the vigilance of our Health and Safety Committee of Colm Crowley, Marie Fleming, Colm O'Connor, Tom Twomey, Paddy O'Connor and Caroline O'Rahilly. IRD Duhallow achieved The Excellence Through People Gold Standard from NSAI in recognition of the company ’ s approach to and support for continuous development of its staff through training as well as keeping staff informed and involved in our Annual Strategic Review and Planning. The initiative is led by Marie Fleming with support from our two students Jordan Corkery and Nicole Ferris.

The restrictions resulted in most workplaces closing which meant that many of Duhallow ’ s Third Level students, pursuing courses that required practical work placements found it very difficult. We were able to accommodate eleven students on work placements. Thanks to our accounts team of Alaina Finn and TJ McAuliffe and I wish Margaret O'Connor and Julie O'Flaherty speedy and full recoveries. In response to an overwhelming need for some of our clients to emerge from the severe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, we took the decision to open up our Ability programme for in-person training and support, safely for both participants and tutors. Our thanks to Jackie Kelly and Bríghid-Ide Walsh for facilitating this essential service for those who needed it. Our Afterschools service was also deemed essential to support workers in front line and food chain supply, opened full time to enable parents go out to work as schools were closed. Thanks to Bríghid-Ide, Jodie and Rachel who did a great job, in fact attendance for the remainder of the year has shown steady growth as the service increases in popularity. Tús and RSS Supervisors played a key role showing leadership in COVID-19 times by developing a number of local loop walks and maintaining our network of walks and community facilities, so people could remain within their distance restrictions yet get out and exercise to maintain a healthy mind and body. Nuala Riordan Tús Supervisor has overseen the walks, as well as leading teams in invasive species control as part of our After LIFE commitments. IRD Duhallow implements its RSS and Tús in an integrated, person centric manner so the participants get to experience a range of work experiences. Thank you to Don Murphy and Tom Twomey, Supervisors who oversee and plan the work. Our Furniture Revamp service and Kickstart programme enjoyed increased volumes of work as more people embarked on DIY jobs while at home. This service has done huge work in diverting furniture from land fill or worse and making available affordable furniture to the elderly and low income families. Our thanks to Colm O’Connor, Jessica Barron, Debbie Pearson and George Fitzgibbon for their work in promoting a more sustainable circular economy. Duhallow Community Laundry remained open to look after all our customers. As the majority live on their own and were isolating, we provided the add on service of collection to delivery and doing shopping and collecting prescriptions. Thanks to Anita Castle who leads the team, under strict protocols, ensuring the safety of her colleagues and customers. In our Life Long Learning work Rachel Budd and Bríghid Ide Walsh did an excellent job adopting the delivery of our QQI Level IV in Horticulture under the COVID-19 lock down restrictions. Our thanks to Cork ETB, Patricia O’Mahony and Catherine Power for their support. Skillnet, our major support to over 1,000 rural businesses, saw growth during the year due to a workforce largely at home and some out of work, there was brisk demand for our on-line courses, Louise Bourke and Geraldine O’Connor did Trojan work and we can confidently say that we have a workforce ready to take on the challenge of rebuilding the rural economy with better improved skills than ever before. Our major awards in Level 8 programme in BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education & Care in conjunction with IT Carlow and the QQI Level 5 programme in Health care graduated in Cap and Gown albeit remotely. Our thanks to Paul Healy CEO Skillnet and his team for their tremendous support. A new opportunity to support family carers was presented through Dormant Accounts funding for a range of training and upskilling which was initiated by Helen O’Sullivan and is being implemented by Stephanie Moynihan. Our EIP Agri farming for Blue Dot catchments had a very successful year winning the Biodiversity award at the Cork Environmental Forum, well deserved by Michael Morrissey and Michael O’Connor on the EIP team. We were thrilled to be selected for a second EIP for the Owentarriglin Catchment which will bring another 40 farmers into EIP. The Social Inclusion Activation Programme in both Cork and Kerry were completed, not only meeting but surpassing many Key Performance Indicators, under the expert leadership of Triona Dennehy and her team. While LEADER had a completion date of December 2020 and all budgets were successfully committed to projects that spanned the entire range of themes and sub themes. Thanks to Eileen Linehan who manages the programme and Helen O’Sullivan who filled the role while Eileen was on leave with Nollaig Murphy providing administration support. To conclude IRD Duhallow is a success because of the excellent stewardship of our voluntary, hardworking Board of Directors that have set the vision, culture and values of the company. Breeda Moynihan Cronin our current Chairperson, has brought a wealth of local and national experience and expertise. Annette O’Mahony has been an excellent and supportive Vice Chairperson always encouraging us, while Michael Twohig has taken on the role of Chairperson of Finance and has shown tremendous solidarity and leadership in being present to us staff on a weekly basis despite COVID-19 and managing his own businesses. Anne Maria Bourke, as the HR Chairperson has likewise been a regular presence over the past year, bringing positivity and encouragement to the team. We are heading into a new year with confidence and tenacity. We have the excitement of new programmes and new services to offer which a Social Farming project just announced and a HSE funded Community Health Project about to commence. I am blessed to have the professionalism, experience and expertise of our Assistant CEO Eileen Linehan and fortunate to have an excellent Management team of Triona Dennehy and Helen O’Sullivan. Our staff is second to none and I am both fortunate and proud to work with them. Together we will meet and take on whatever challenges come and will embrace new opportunities for the betterment of the region and people we serve.

Maura Walsh

CEO

IRD Duhallow Board Members

BREEDA MOYNIHAN CRONIN

Breeda re-joined the Board in 2014 to represent Duhallow ’ s Social Enterprises and is the current Chair. Breeda was a member of Dáil Éireann from 1992 –2007 and a member of Kerry Co. Council from 19992003 and from 2011 - 2013. Serving her community for over 20 years, her constituency included the East Kerry area of Duhallow. At present, she is chair of ECSSA (Electrical Contractors Safety Standards Association) Ireland and is involved in a number of voluntary and charitable organisations. She was elected Chair of IRD Duhallow in 2019.

ANNE MARIA BOURKE

Anne Maria is a former Board Chair from 2015-2018 and she sits on the Finance and Chairs our HR Committee. She represents the INTO on the Board. She is a former National School Principal and works closely with State agencies in an advisory capacity. She is an active member of the Allianz Sciath na Scoil North Cork Primary Schools ’ Games and Cork Primary School Sports. She is a keen bridge player and is a member of both the Brogeen and Kanturk Bridge Clubs. She is the present Chairperson of a local Board of Management and is Chairperson of Castlemagner Parish Council.

SEAN WALLACE

Seán comes from Donoughmore and is a Senior Software Engineer with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. He was nominated to the Board of IRD Duhallow in 2019 as the Macra na Feirme representative. In Macra, he has held the positions of Munster Vice President, Director, National Secretary, National Competitions Chair, and also represented the Muskerry region on National Council for 4 years. He is also a member of both the Community Council & Macra na Feirme Club in Donoughmore. He currently serves on the Agriculture Working Group of IRD Duhallow.

JOHN BREEN

John represents the Environment Working Group on the Board. He is currently Director of Services with responsibility for Environment & Water Services, Fire and Emergency services, Civil Defence and Library services as well as Municipal District manager for the Castleisland / Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District with Kerry County Council. Previously he served as Director of Services for Housing and Community for 10 years. He has also previously served as Director of Services in Limerick City and as Town Clerk in Tralee and Town Manager of Listowel and Killarney Town Councils. A native of Kilkenny city he presently resides in Castleisland. ANNETTE O’MAHONY

Annette was elected to the Board in May 2016 representing the North Eastern Duhallow region and is the current Vice Chair. She is married to David, they have 5 sons, and she works in Newmarket as a Practice Nurse. She has served on the Board of Management of Ballyhass N.S. and has also spent time as Chairperson of its Parents Association and was Treasurer of the Parents Council in the Mercy Secondary School. Annette volunteers with groups such as Castlemagner Community Development Association and is involved in the local An Taisce litter watch. Annette Chairs our Audit & Finance Committee.

CORMAC COLLINS

Cormac is a former Chairman of IRD Duhallow holding the role from 2012 to 2015. He is from Gneeveguilla and works as a Senior Manager in the ESB, where he manages the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the country. He was appointed to the Board to represent the State sector having previously served as Community Representative for Western Duhallow. He is the current chairman of Gneeveguilla Community Council, who developed a cultural centre in Gneeveguilla village, “Teach Failte ” . He serves on the HR, Finance and Community Development Working Groups.

MICHAEL TWOHIG

Michael is a founder member of IRD Duhallow and served as Chairman from 2011-2013, in the past he also served as Finance Director. He represents Kanturk Chamber of Commerce on the Board. With his wife Noreen he manages the family owned Supervalu Stores in Kanturk, Abbeyfeale and Askeaton. A keen angler and hunter he has developed a number of angling projects in Duhallow. Michael is Chairperson of the Enterprise and Finance Working Groups as well as being an active member of the HR Committee and Life Steering Committee.

PADRAIC O'CONNELL

Padraic is from Kanturk where he lives with his wife and two daughters. He is a member of the Enterprise Working Group. Padraic has a BBS from UL. He is currently Head of HR at Ervia (formerly Bord Gais) having held senior management roles there in Energy Policy, Commercial, PR, Marketing and Legal for the past 17 years. In 2016, he was appointed Chair of the Gas Infrastructure Europe BrExit Taskforce. Padraic enjoys golfing and is a member of Kanturk and Killarney Golf Clubs (holding Kanturk committee roles for over a decade).

IRD Duhallow Board Members

PAT BROSNAN

Pat was elected to the Board to represent Western Duhallow in July 2020. He has over 20 years ' experience as an online marketing consultant specialising in Search Engine Optimisation, E business consultancy and website design. Pat has lived in Gneeveguilla for over 40 years and has been involved in the GAA, Walking and Basketball Clubs. He is an active member Gneeveguilla Development Association where he is in charge of PR. He also updates Rathmore Parish website. Pat is a member of North Cork Business Alliance and is an online advisor to Charleville Chamber of Commerce.

MARGARET MCSWEENEY

Margaret Mc Sweeney was elected to the Board in 2019. She lives in Macroom with her husband and son. Her background includes work as a qualified Pastry Chef as well as a Carer for those with Intellectual Disabilities and is presently studying Business in line with her current interests. She is a member of a number of committees such as Clondrohid Development Group and Clondrohid Hall Committee. Margaret served as Parent’ s representative for 6 years on a secondary school’ s Board of Management and was child officer for 5 years in a local GAA club.

BILLY MURPHY

Billy hails from Lyre and was elected to the Board of IRD Duhallow to represent the South Eastern region in 2018. He is a founding member and current Chairperson of the Lyre Community Culture, Sport and Leisure Association where he has overseen largescale community development projects in Lyre village including the development of their community centre, playground, park and walkway. Billy is also a long standing member of Banteer, Lyre Nadd District Community Council. Billy works in the Water Section of Cork County Council and is an avid community volunteer.

TOM O'RIORDAN

Tom O’Riordan was elected to the board in July 2019 to represent the communities of North Eastern Duhallow. A native of Kilbrin, he is married to Nora Mary and they have six children. Tom worked for many years in retail where he held a variety of roles and owned his own business for a number of years. In recent times, he retired to part time farming. He has been actively involved in Kilbrin Community for over 40 years. Tom was one of the instigators of the heritage project, which restored Dr. Croke ’ s birthplace house in Kilbrin.

JAMES O'KEEFFE

James was elected to the Board of IRD Duhallow as the Blue Dot Farmer Representative in July 2020. A fourth-generation dairy farmer from Lismire. He is the Chairman of the Newmarket Charleville ICMSA. James was elected to be an advisory Committee member of Kerry co-op in 2011. In 2018 he was elected to the Board of Directors of Kerry co-op. In 2019 James was appointed to their strategy committee. He is an outdoor enthusiast and is a member of the Irish Mountain Running Association. Married to Aine, they have two children. BILLY DENNEHY

Billy Dennehy was elected to the Board of IRD Duhallow in May 2017 as a community representative for the Western Duhallow region. He is the current chairperson of IRD Duhallow ’ s Community Development Working Group. He is an active member of the Kiskeam Community and volunteers with many local community groups. He is the current Development Officer of the Kiskeam Development Association and Chairman of Kiskeam GAA Club. He is working as an Area Engineer with Cork County Council. Billy is married to Emily and they have two children.

JOHN LYONS

John is a retired Coillte Forest Engineer, having been a staff representative for many years, He has been involved in various projects nationally and internationally relating to harvesting technology and the environment and was chair of Forest Industry Transport Group. His current involvements include Secretary and active member of Macroom Tidy Towns, secretary of Macroom Handball/Racquetball club, Chairperson of Safeguarding Committee in Macroom Parish, Chairperson of local community association, member of gun club, hillwalking club and an active member of Aghinagh Comhaltas Group. Married to Frances, they have 4 daughters and nine grandchildren.

GERALDINE O'LEARY

Geraldine was elected to the Board of IRD Duhallow in July 2021 representing South Eastern Duhallow. Living in Millstreet with her family, Geraldine is a volunteer on Millstreet Town Park Committee and they have recently fully refurbished its playground. She holds a BA (Insurance & European Studies) and is QFA accredited by the Life Insurance Association of Ireland. She recently concluded a 20-year tenure with Aon Ireland to focus on family life and other commitments. During her career at Aon she progressed to the role of Senior Retirement Consultant, managing a portfolio of multinational clients and trustee groups.

JACK ROCHE

Jack is from Rockchapel and represents the Saoi Network of which he is the Chairman. A former IRD Duhallow Chairman, he sits on the Social Economy, Finance, Human Resources and Community Development Working Groups. Jack has represented IRD Duhallow on ILDN and ILDN on ELARD the European LEADER Association for Rural Development of which he is past President. Steeped in the cultural development of the region, he developed Bruach na Carraige Cultural Centre in Rockchapel, along with a dedicated Sliabh Luachra Archive and the Sliabh Luachra Cultural Trail.

DOMINIC CRONIN

Dominic joined the Board in July 2021 representing the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association. He is a dairy farmer from Boherbue and is the current Chairman of Duhallow ICMSA, as well as Vice Chairman of North and East Cork ICMSA and is currently a Board Member of the ICMSA National Council. Dominic has served as a Board member of Boherbue Coop since 2005 and is also a member of the national water forum. He is a former Chairman of the National Dairy Council having held the position from 2002-2011.