Experience

Self Help Africa

• Ireland
• Non-profit Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Head of Communications

  • Nov 2003 - Present

  Dublin Self Help Africa is a dynamic and fast growing Irish based INGO working through agriculture to end poverty and promote economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. It's the old 'helping hand not a hand-out'​ maxim - supporting farming communities (in countries where 80% of people rely on small scale agriculture) to produce more, diversify and add value to their production. The organisation also seeks to enable small-scale farm producers to access local, regional and international markets for… Show more Self Help Africa is a dynamic and fast growing Irish based INGO working through agriculture to end poverty and promote economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. It's the old 'helping hand not a hand-out'​ maxim - supporting farming communities (in countries where 80% of people rely on small scale agriculture) to produce more, diversify and add value to their production. The organisation also seeks to enable small-scale farm producers to access local, regional and international markets for their produce. Managed the team responsible for the creation and development of Self Help Africa brand (2008), the development and execution of a post-merger brand for Gorta-Self Help Africa (2014), and the development of brand identity for Irish Aid's post-primary education programme 'WorldWise Global Schools' (2012) and of wholly owned Help Africa subsidiaries Partner Africa (2011) and TruTrade Africa (2014). Following its merger with United Purpose in 2022, Self Help Africa works in 17 countries - in sub-Saharan Africa, Brazil and Bangladesh. Show less



Bray Jazz Ltd

• Director

  • Jan 1999 - Present

  Bray, Wicklow, Ireland Director and founder of Bray Jazz Festival, an international festival event that has taken place on the May Bank Holiday weekend each year since its inception in 2000. Bray Jazz has been described as "one of the very best small jazz festivals in Europe" (All About Jazz) and as "...the connoisseur's jazz festival" (The Irish Times). The event has attracted many of the leading figures in international contemporary jazz to Ireland, including Dave Douglas, Eliane Elias, Henri Texier, Tomasz… Show more Director and founder of Bray Jazz Festival, an international festival event that has taken place on the May Bank Holiday weekend each year since its inception in 2000. Bray Jazz has been described as "one of the very best small jazz festivals in Europe" (All About Jazz) and as "...the connoisseur's jazz festival" (The Irish Times). The event has attracted many of the leading figures in international contemporary jazz to Ireland, including Dave Douglas, Eliane Elias, Henri Texier, Tomasz Stanko, Tord Gustavsen, and Susanna Baca. www.brayjazz.com Irish Times 'How Music Works' Interview, 2016: http://bit.ly/1SMMcHf Show less



Event Production

• Event Organiser

  • 1997 - 2014

  DUBLIN MEDIA NIGHT (2013-2014) Organised and managed Media Night 2013 and 2014 in Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, as a charity benefit for Self Help Africa and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. The event was a networking and social event that attracted up to 300 representatives from the Irish print and broadcasting industries in Dublin city centre. Special invited guest in 2013 was celebrated New York Times media columnist and commentator, the late David Carr. IRISH… Show more DUBLIN MEDIA NIGHT (2013-2014) Organised and managed Media Night 2013 and 2014 in Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, as a charity benefit for Self Help Africa and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. The event was a networking and social event that attracted up to 300 representatives from the Irish print and broadcasting industries in Dublin city centre. Special invited guest in 2013 was celebrated New York Times media columnist and commentator, the late David Carr. IRISH INTERNATIONAL CLUB SOCCER TOURNAMENT/CARLSBERG TROPHY I(1997-8) Created, with Matchmaster Promotions this pre-season quadrangular soccer tournament, that attracted leading clubs to Dublin in Summer 1997 and 1998. In its second year this event attracted close to 50,000 people to Lansdowne Road, and was televised to more than 120 countries. The tournament featured Italian Champions Lazio FC, Dutch league champions PSV Eindhoven, Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic, leading Engllish premier league teams Liverpool FC, Leeds United and Newcastle United, and Irish league champions Derry City and St. Patrick's Athletic. MUSIC TOURS (1996-7) Managed and executed two 30-date summer tours of Ireland for South American band who played arts centres, festival events and theatres - including Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, The Ark, Dublin, Siamsa Tire, Tralee, and community festivals. Show less



People Newspapers

• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant Editor

  • 1983 - 2003

  New Ross, Wexford, Wicklow, Bray Commenced career as cub reporter with People Newspapers, based in offices in New Ross, Co. Wexford. Subsequently worked at company HQ in Wexford before transferring to Wicklow in 1989, and Bray in 1992. Appointed group chief reporter in 1996, assistant editor (Wicklow) in 2001. The company is the largest regional newspaper group in Ireland, publishing eight weekly titles.