By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Eoin Ó Catháin, Director, Irish Whiskey Association.
This week sees new and notable appointments at Irish Whiskey Association, Complete Laboratory Solutions, Meitheal Architects and Mason Hayes & Curran
Eoin Ó Catháin, Director
Irish Whiskey Association
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has announced that Eoin Ó Catháin has been appointed to its Drinks Ireland team, as Director of the Irish Whiskey Association.
Speaking on his appointment Eoin said: “I am greatly looking forward to this role which represents a remarkable opportunity to champion, safeguard and advocate for Irish whiskey both nationally and globally. I am committed to guiding the Irish Whiskey Association in its work with members and stakeholders to embrace the significant opportunities offered by the increased global demand for our premium product. I am equally ready to address the challenges facing our industry particularly in the areas of supply chain, international trade and protecting our all-island Geographic Indication.
The growth of Irish whiskey sales abroad is delivering for Ireland: creating jobs, attracting tourists, supporting local communities, increasing purchasing from Irish farmers and suppliers; and boosting exchequer revenues. The Whiskey category is an integral part of the wider Irish drinks industry which directly employs over 8,500 people across the island of Ireland. Last year was a particularly special one for our sector – with the export value of Irish Whiskey from the island of Ireland surpassing €1 billion for the first time ever. I look forward to continuing to drive this success for the sector as Director of the Irish Whiskey Association.”
Eoin joins the Irish Whiskey Association from RTÉ where he worked as political correspondent for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Prior to that Eoin worked in Brussels as Head of Advocacy in spiritsEurope and was Manager of Food Policy, Science and R&D with FoodDrinkEurope.
Derek Darcy, Director of Outsourcing Solutions
Complete Laboratory Solutions
Pictured: Derek Darcy, Director of Outsourcing Solutions Complete Laboratory Solutions
Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Darcy to the position of Director of Outsourcing Solutions. This renowned CLS service provides clients with fully trained analysts, laboratory supports and expert managed service teams as a flexible and bespoke resource solution at client sites.
A native of Galway, Derek brings 17 years of strategic business leadership expertise to his new role at CLS. As part of the senior management team, Derek will lead the managed service division deploying a range of laboratory expertise and solutions on client sites, with a focus on exceeding client service expectations and advancing innovations and delivery for the brand. He will work on strengthening technical and commercial service excellence across MedTech, Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, Environment and Food – leading a diverse team working with national and multinational clients.
Derek holds a Bachelor Degree of Science, Manufacturing Technology from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and a Bachelor Degree of Engineering, Product Design from Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) with international experience spanning Australia, America and the UK managing geographically dispersed teams. Prior to joining CLS, he held positions in Carrier and HMA Group.
Brendan Dwyer & Ciarán Byrne, Associates
Meitheal Architects
Pictured: Brendan Dwyer, Associate, Meitheal Architects
Meitheal Architects, the award-winning architecture and urban design practice, has announced that Senior Architects Brendan Dwyer and Ciarán Byrne have been promoted as Associates in the firm.
Brendan Dwyer has been with Meitheal Architects for over four years and is based in the Cork office. Prior to joining Meitheal Architects, he has worked with Niall D. Brennan & Associates, Dermot Bannon Architects and Traynor O’Toole Architects on a variety of commercial and large-scale residential projects.
Ciarán Byrne joined Meitheal Architects in 2021 from MCORM and previously held senior roles at Fenton Simons, Frank Ennis & Associates and Project Architects. Ciarán has over 25 years’ experience in the industry, with a particular focus on large scale housing projects, and a proven track record of working with a range of stakeholders for high profile public and private developments.
Patrick O Toole, Managing Director of Meitheal Architects, said; “We are delighted to acknowledge Ciarán & Brendan’s contribution to the practice, and are glad that they’ve taken on the move up to Associate level, where they will both play an instrumental role in the practice’s future plans. They bring a huge wealth of experience which is crucial as we continue to expand our capacity to deliver large scale projects across Ireland.’’
The appointments come as Meitheal Architects continues its strong recent growth with employee numbers more than doubling in the last five years. The team now numbers over sixty strong, working from offices in Dublin, Cork & Kerry.
Meitheal Architect’s current portfolio of projects include numerous large scale housing developments such as: Castletroy, Limerick (224 homes) and Castletreasure, Douglas, Cork City, (472 homes), Clonburris, Dublin (565 homes), Ballymany, Newbridge, Co. Kildare (550 homes); the 200 room Moxy and Residence Inn Hotel in Cork City; the redevelopment of the Sheen Falls Hotel and Castlemartyr Resort, and a programme of regenerative refurbishment of vacant and derelict urban buildings nationally to provide social housing on conjunction with a range of Approved Housing Bodies.
Martin Kelleher, Head of Corporate
Mason Hayes & Curran
Pictured (from l-r): L-R Will Carmody Managing Partner Mason Hayes & Curran with Martin Kelleher, new Head of Corporate
Business law firm Mason Hayes & Curran has announced the appointment of Martin Kelleher as its new Head of Corporate. Martin is a senior corporate partner with significant experience in international transactions, particularly in the technology and life science sectors. He recently acted on the sale of Kinzen to Spotify, the sale of Workvivo to Zoom, and for LetsGetChecked on several funding rounds and international acquisitions. Martin also acts as standing counsel to a number of significant family businesses and international corporations operating in Ireland.
Will Carmody, Managing Partner at Mason Hayes & Curran, commented, “Martin has been instrumental to the success of our corporate team. His practical business experience combined with legal expertise gives him a unique perspective, which is of significant benefit to clients. I look forward to working closely with Martin to further support our clients in their business endeavours.”
Martin Kelleher said, “I am honoured to lead our incredibly talented corporate team. We have enjoyed great success in the Irish market over the last 20 years, working with local and international businesses across a range of sectors. I welcome the opportunity to deepen our clients’ connections and further enhance their businesses.”
Martin is a graduate of University College Cork and King’s College London. He also holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.
David O’Donnell, the firm’s previous Head of Corporate, will continue his role as partner and part of the leadership group in the corporate team, working closely with Martin during this transition and also continuing with his own corporate M&A and advisory practice.
READ MORE APPOINTMENTS:
Auxilion, Drinkaware, Envisage and Rásaíocht Con Éireann
Great-West Lifeco, Esri Ireland, FTI Consulting and Cork Society of Chartered Accountants Ireland
