Our Board
We are the largest independent conservation organisation in Ireland. The primary objective of BirdWatch Ireland is the protection of wild birds and their habitats in Ireland. Governance of BirdWatch Ireland is overseen by our Board:
Catherine Casey
Board Member
Originally from Athlone, Catherine has been living in Offaly for 25 years. She worked for BirdWatch Ireland from 1993 to 2003 - starting as a Corncrake Fieldworker in the Shannon Callows, and eventually as Senior Conservation Officer. She has a background in Science with a degree in Zoology from UCD and an MSC in Ecology from Durham University. She currently works as Heritage Officer with Laois County Council.
Jim Fitzharris
Secretary
Based in Dublin, Jim has been a keen birdwatcher since his teens. He has served on several BWI committees in the past, including a long tenure on the Irish Rare Birds Committee. With a degree in Mathematics and a Masters in Statistics, Jim worked in both the public and private sectors and has extensive experience in corporate governance. Married with two sons, his other interests include wildflowers and wildlife generally. Jim also serves on the board of the Smurfit Kappa Foundation.
Breffni Martin
Board Member
Breffni (BSc biology UCD 1983) has a background in international clinical research and regulatory affairs. He also runs a small Irish consultancy in ecology specialising in birds and bird habitats. He has been a bad birder since childhood.
Andrew McMillan
Board Member
Andrew’s interest in Birds and Wildlife started at an early age growing up in Wicklow and having Kilcoole / Newcastle marshes in his youth as his local patch. As a member of the IRBC Andrew is a diligent recorder of scarce and common birds alike. Professionally Andrew’s background is in Shipping & Logistics where he is CEO of a Dublin based company, with Andrew’s occupation & interests he travels extensively. Andrew also serves on several Boards.
Conor O'Keeffe
Board Member
Aisling Tallon
Board Member
Aisling is a Human Resource Management Consultant. She worked for BirdWatch Ireland from 1992-2005, first as Development Officer and then as Senior Development Officer, and so is familiar with some of the opportunities and the challenges that the organisation faces. She has a BSc (Chemistry) from UCD and more recently a MA (HRM) from the IPA. Aisling is from Dublin where she still lives with her family.
Governance Committees
The Governance Committees assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to BirdWatch Ireland to provide good corporate governance.
