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:
Gerry Lyons
Chairperson
Born in Dublin, Gerry has had an interest in birds and been a BirdWatch Ireland member since primary school. An IT Consultant by background, Gerry specialized in Accounting and Finance systems. He has also worked in the Not For Profit sector and has served on a number of boards as Secretary, Treasurer and Chairperson.
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.
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 Dowdall
Board Member
A keen birdwatcher since childhood, Jim is a Director of Enviroguide Consulting with over 25 years’ experience in the environmental and waste management sector. Jim has an MSc in Inorganic Chemistry and. Jim is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) and also has a Diploma in Environmental and Planning Law and is a member of the Irish Environmental Law Association.
John Lynch
Board Member
Born in Cork John has been involved in BWI branch work and conservation since the late 1970’s. John qualified and as an Environmental Scientist and afterwards specialised in Health and Safety working in the Pharmachem, Biopharma, Technology and Electronics sectors. He is married to Sharon with 4 grown up children. John is a passionate conservationist and advocate of environmental issues locally and globally. His hobbies include his passion for birding as well as fly fishing, SCUBA diving and rugby.
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.
Stephen Wilson
Board Member
Stephen is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Financial Controller for Dwyer Nolan Developments Ltd Group and Associated Companies. In this role Stephen oversees the company’s financial function and a team of accounting staff. Stephen also chairs the BirdWatch Ireland Audit & Risk Committee.
Governance Committees
The Governance Committees assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to BirdWatch Ireland to provide good corporate governance.
