South Kerry Development Partnership CLG

Meet The Board

Tony is currently the Bar Manager at Cable O’Leary’s Pub in Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry, a position Tony has held for the past 17 years. Tony’s responsibilities include staff rostering, stock and inventory management, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and service. Tony grew up in Waterville and began his hospitality career at a young age in the Butler Arms Hotel, where he met his wife. They later ran the Golf Links Bar and Restaurant in Waterville for ten years during the late 1990s, welcoming many well‑known international golfers. Tony is deeply involved in his local community, serving as a Director of IRD Waterville, Chairperson of the Community Care Committee, and a Board Member of Local Link Kerry. Tony also assists with the South Kerry Rural Men’s Outings, organising trips for over 60 participants. Tony has served as a Peace Commissioner for 40 years and volunteered for 35 years with the Irish Coast Guard as an Area Officer. In addition, he has been actively involved in his local GAA club and local politics from a young age.

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Michael joined SKDP as a Director in October 2022 from the Killarney Forum Area. Michael is a Killorglin native and holds a B. Comm from UCC. Michael is retired as a partner in Moriarty & Murphy, Chartered Certified Accountants & Statutory Auditors, Killarney. Michael’s experience takes in the areas of taxation, financial accounting, financial management and compliance. Michael has had an involvement in the community & voluntary sector for over 30 years. He was on the advisory group which oversaw the new build and refurbishment project at St Joseph’s Home, Killorglin. Michael is currently involved with Killorglin Sports & Leisure Centre CLG, Killarney Men’s Shed, Kerry Mental Health CLG and Board of Management Kiltallagh National School.

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Derek O’Leary is Executive Manager of Torc Community &
Family Resource Centre in Killarney, where he oversees a broad range of family
support, early years, and community development services. He has over 17 years’
professional experience in the community and voluntary sector, holding
leadership roles focused on strengthening services, building capacity, and
supporting positive outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Prior to this, Derek accumulated 18 years’ experience in the
private sector, where he developed strong skills in management, operations, and
strategic planning. He brings this combined experience to his current role,
integrating best practices from both the business and community sectors to
deliver effective, responsive, and sustainable services. Derek is also actively involved in the wider
community life of Killarney through a number of voluntary, cultural, and
community initiatives, reflecting his strong commitment to local development
and civic engagement.

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As RDI Collaboration Manager at Fexco, Catherine brings over 30 years’ experience building strategic partnerships, securing high‑impact funding, and strengthening innovation networks across industry, academia, government, and community sectors. Catherine specialises in connecting people, ideas, and organisations, driving major research and innovation initiatives and shaping national engagement frameworks. Catherine helps teams turn concepts into fundable, future‑focused projects and has delivered strong outcomes through Enterprise Ireland and other strategic partners. Alongside her corporate role, Catherine supports community development and inclusion, including through the Kerry Community Integration Forum. Catherine is driven by collaboration, alignment, and creating meaningful, measurable impact.

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Daragh O’Driscoll is a native of Cahersiveen with a strong track record of community involvement. He has contributed to a number of local initiatives, including the Cahersiveen Alliance, and previously served as Chairperson of the Cahersiveen Music Festival. He holds a Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering from MTU. Since June 2016, Daragh has been owner and partner of The Oratory Restaurant in Cahersiveen. Prior to this, he worked in the television and media industry as a Live Editor and Sound Supervisor, bringing a wealth of technical and creative experience to his work.

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JoAnn is currently working as Librarian at Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine in Kenmare and works on the family sheep and suckler cow farm in Kilgarvan. She brings a strong professional background in finance and administration, alongside extensive experience in leadership, governance, and community development, gained through over 14 years of active involvement in local organisations.

Through her voluntary roles, JoAnn has supported project delivery, secured funding, and contributed to the development of lasting community facilities and initiatives. She currently serves as a Director of Kilgarvan Community Development Company Ltd and Rockmount Care Centre.

JoAnn is committed to inclusive, sustainable, community-led development and takes pride in supporting initiatives that strengthen and enhance local life.

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Siobhán was nominated as a Community Director in 2025 representing Mid Kerry Forum area. Siobhán has worked in the community sector in a professional and voluntary capacity for over 40 years. Retired from Kerry County Council, work encompassed Kerry PPN, Grants and Policy, Age Friendly, Kenmare Municipal District Officer, Community Awards. Early career included ten years working with young people. In 1991, Siobhán worked on the establishment of SKDP and the first LEADER/PESP programmes under the auspices of CRESP. She worked with SKDP for nine years.

Siobhán’s qualifications include B Social Science (Hons), Community Development and Change Management.

Currently volunteering with Cromane Community Council, Killorglin Archive Project, Recovery Haven Kerry, St Vincent de Paul, Valentia trans-Atlantic Cable project.

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Noelle is a member of the Irish Farmers Association. She is a strong advocate for farm diversification to ensure the survival of the Irish family farm. Her family provide holiday accommodation on their dairy farm in order to future proof the farm for the next generation. She is currently the Vice Chair of the Irish Self Catering Federation. She has worked in the business and tourism industry for over 25 years. Noelle also works part time in adult education and finds it fulfilling to support members of the community when they return to education with the aim of achieving their life goals. She is a member of the Health & Wellbeing Committee at her local club Spa in Killarney. She is passionate about Irish and local folklore, history and heritage and it’s importance to our national sense of self.

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Sheila Dickson is the current chairperson of SKDP, having been elected in September 2025 for a 3-year term. She is a Registered General Nurse (retired), a Peace Commissioner and is the current chairperson of Holy Cross Day Centre, Killarney and secretary of Town Twinning Association. As President of the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation, Sheila represented over 40,000 members, locally, nationally and internationally. She served as executive board member of the European Federation of Nurses, vice chairperson of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, board member of the Irish Sports Council and Deputy Mayor of Killarney. Her passion is sport and community, in particular Dr Crokes GAA club where she has served as treasurer and vice-chairperson. She believes wholeheartedly in the work of SKDP and is looking forward to engaging with all stakeholders etc. during her term.

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Kevin Fay has worked for Kerry ETB since 2019, joining the board of SKDP in 2020. In his role in Kerry ETB, he works with the further education and training centres around the county, both North and South, in the areas of part-time courses, community education and adult literacy for life. He holds an MSc in Project Management from UL, and before his role in Kerry ETB, he worked for US multinationals in the Midwest region.

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Podge Foley is an independent Kerry County Councillor. As an independent, Podge notes that he has the advantage to speak how he likes. Podge also notes that he focuses on his town of Killorglin and anything he can do, he will as he loves the people he represents. Podge asserts that in 2 years, he has not had one day off and works night and day 7 days a week. It is exhausting but he is honoured to do the work he does. Podge is Chairman of Killorglin tidy towns. He is a member of IHCPT which takes ill children to Lourdes every Easter. Podge is also heavily involved in Laune Rangers all his life. He tries in his role to help as many people as he can. Podge loves his job.

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Niall Kelleher is a Fianna Fáil Councillor representing the Killarney LEA on Kerry County Council. A native of Rathmore, he now lives at Knockanes, Headford. First elected in 2014, he has served as Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and as Mayor of Killarney Municipal District. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Local Community Safety Partnership, and is a member of the Education and Training Board and the Roads Strategic Policy Committee. A farmer, postmaster and BPO Consultant, Niall is deeply rooted in rural Kerry life. His focus has consistently been on delivering for his community, championing local infrastructure, public safety, and development across the Killarney area.

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Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald is a County Councillor for the Corca Dhuibhne Local Electoral Area, first elected in 2019 and re‑elected in 2024. He has served as Cathaoirleach of the Castleisland–Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District for 2019–2020 and as Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council for 2024–2025.

A native of Dingle, he is actively involved in community life through Dingle GAA, West Kerry GAA, the West Kerry Agricultural Show, Dingle Races, and Dingle Regatta. His strong background in tourism is shaped by his family’s long‑established Dingle Heights Bed & Breakfast, as well as his involvement with B&B Ireland. He holds an eBusiness degree from ITT Tralee.

Fitzgerald is a member of Údarás na Gaeltachta and a committed advocate for the Irish language. He continues to focus on fair investment, sustainable development, social and affordable homes and opportunities for people in Kerry.

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Teddy was elected to Kerry County Council in June 2024 and subsequently nominated to the SKDP Board in September 2024. He lives in Dromoughty in the parish of Tuosist just outside Kenmare. Teddy is a caretaker in Pobal Scoil Inbhear Sceine since 2001 and is involved in Kenmare Community Alert, Tuosist Community Council, and a board member of Kerry ETB and the Cork and Kerry Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. His priorities are improved disability services and a more inclusive society for all.