Meet Our Staff

  • Bernadette Connolly

    NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR

    Bernadette joined the staff of The Irish Pilgrimage Trust in August 2006. A native of Cork, she is married to Mike, and has two children. Bernadette coordinates the activities of the Trust in the office in Clarinbridge.

    Designated Liaison Person, Contact Number 091 796 622

  • James McHugh

    KILCUAN MANAGER

    James joined the staff in 2010 as House Manager of Kilcuan and co-ordinates The Trust Biennial Fundraising Cycle and other Adminstration work. James is a native of Mayo and is now living in Oranmore with his wife Evelyn and two children.

  • Zoe O'Dea

    ADMINISTRATOR

    Zoe joined the staff in 2010 and is a native of Clonakilty in West Cork. Zoe works closely with the group leaders and carers that volunteer with the Trust. Zoe is married to Tomás and they have two children.

  • Celine O'Loan

    ADMINSTRATOR

    Celine joined the team in Kilcuan in August 2019. A local of Clarinbridge, her role as administrator includes processing guest applications and collation of sensitive data. Celine is married to Ronan and they have two children.

Our Board of Trustees

  • David Whitty

    CHAIRPERSON

    David first travelled with the Trust in 2007 as a student carer and has been involved in the Trust since then as a carer and Group Leader. David lives in Wexford and works as an engineer. He joined the board in September 2020.

  • Caitriona Cannon

    VICE CHAIRPERSON

    Caitriona is a solicitor based in Dublin. She has been travelling to Lourdes with the Trust since 2012 and has been Group Leader since 2019. She joined the Board of Trustees in Septmeber 2022.

  • Karl Goulding

    TREASURER

    Karl is from Dublin. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2017. Karl has been involved with the Trust for almost 10 years travelling mostly with Group 514 to Hosanna House. Karl is married to Dervilla and has two children, Nadine and Erik.

  • Ann-Marie Rossiter

    HONORARY SECRETARY

    Ann Marie is from Dungarvan and is a Carer with the Trust since 2006, she is the Regional Chair for the South Eastern Region. Ann Marie joined the board in April 2018.

  • Dr Zelie Daly

    TRUST DOCTOR

    Zelie is a doctor based in Newmarket in Cork, Zelie joined the Board of Trustees in April 2024. 

  • Eileen Doyle

    TRUST NURSE

    Eileen is a Registered Nurse in the South East. Eileen Doyle joined the Board of Trustees in September 2022, and in May 2023 she was appointed Trust Nurse.

  • Fr. Michael Murphy

    TRUST CHAPLAIN

    Fr Michael Murphy is a priest in Co. Mayo and has been involved with the Trust for a number of years. He joined the Board of Trustees in September 2015.

  • James Foley

    TRUSTEE

    James is married to Patricia and they have two daughters Hazel and Shannon.

    Safety Officer, Contact Number 091 796 622

  • Fr Dan Carroll

    TRUSTEE

    Fr. Dan Carroll is Team Leader at St. John's Parish, Kilkenny City. He has travelled with Group 174 for almost 25 years and joined the Board in September 2023.

  • Eadaoin McAnulty

    TRUSTEE

    Eadaoin is a Special Educational Needs Teacher based in Co. Down. She has been travelling to Lourdes with The Trust since 2013 and is the Leader of Group 67. Eadaoin joined the Board of Trustees in November 2023.

  • Carmel Drinan

    TRUSTEE
    Carmel has travelled with the Trust for over 30 years with Group 126, a Cork based Group. Carmel joined the Board of Trustees in November 2023. 

  • Aidan Curley

    TRUSTEE

    Since 2003 Aidan has been travelling to a Lourdes as carer, Deputy Group Leader and Group Leader. He has also held the role of chairperson of the Western Region. He is a company managing director based in Galway.

  • Donal Burke

    TRUSTEE

    Donal has been involved with the Trust since the late nineties both as a Carer and Group Leader with groups 114 and 162.

  • Bishop Donal McKeown

    TRUST PRESIDENT

    Most Reverend Donal McKeown, installed as Bishop of Derry on the 6 April 2014 in Saint Eugene's Cathedral Derry.

    Bishop Donal has been travelling with the Trust since 2015.