Our Organisation
Rowing Ireland is primarily based at the National Rowing Centre in Cork but also maintains an office at Sport’s HQ, Abbottstown, Dublin.
For Media Enquiries contact Deirdre Lysaght: communications@rowingireland.ie
Administration
Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Carpenter
Biography
Michelle was appointed Chief Executive of Rowing Ireland in 2018. She previously reignited and managed the Get Going...Get Rowing programme. Michelle has a wealth of experience she worked for the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and on the launch of the Euro 2002 information campaign with the European Central Bank. Michelle won her first Irish Championships in 1988, with Shannon Rowing Club, and was a member of the Irish Rowing squad at junior and U23 level. Rowing with Commercial at senior level.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Absolutely
Head of Governance and Planning
Matt McKerrow
Biography
Matt has extensive background in sports governance, strategy and administration having worked internationally in a variety of sporting organisations. In addition to roles at the Australian Sports Commission, High Performance Sport New Zealand and Sport New Zealand, he is a former CEO for a number of Irish NGBs including triathlon, cycling and hockey, and has worked with a number of other Irish NGBs and not for profit organisations as a management consultant.
Guilty pleasure
HGTV
Most likely to say
G'day
Learning and Development Lead
Biography
Pat joined Rowing Ireland as Club Support Officer in 2020. He has been a member of the Irish Championship Committee for several years and currently serves as Chairperson of the Rowing Ireland Safety Advisory Committee. A past President of Castleconnell Boat Club, Pat also acted as Assistant Coach for the Ladies’ Sculling crews at the Home International Regatta when it was hosted at the National Rowing Centre in Cork. He is the current Irish representative on the Home International General Management Committee. Outside of rowing, Pat is a former international basketball referee and served with the Limerick Fire Service for 23 years, reaching the rank of Station Officer.
Guilty pleasure
Bourneville Chocolate
Most likely to say
That's Brilliant
Growth and Participation Manager
Biography
Derek has over 30 years of rowing experience and was a member of St. Michaels Rowing Club, Limerick for all of his competitive career. Derek won four Irish Championships at Junior and Senior level with St Michaels and has represented Ireland proudly at Junior, U23 and Senior levels bringing home seven medals. Derek has been coaching with Castleconnell since 2014. He brings 18 years of Supervisory Management experience, from his previous role as a Manufacturing Supervisor, to the role together with strong project management skills.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Go Rowing
Finance Officer
Alec Moffett
Biography
Alec graduated from UCC in 2012 with a master’s degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting. Following this he did his training and professional exams with FCOS Ltd in Cork for 4 and a half years.
Guilty pleasure
Guinness and Taytos
Most likely to say
That sounds expensive
Communications and Commercial Manager
Deirdre Lysaght
Biography
Deirdre has been with Rowing Ireland for over a year, initially joining as Communications Specialist before also taking on responsibility for leading the organisation’s Commercial function. During this time, she completed the Digital Transformation and Innovation in Sport programme with TU Dublin and Sport Ireland, gaining valuable expertise to support the continued growth of Rowing Ireland. She is committed to promoting the sport and helping to foster a vibrant, inclusive rowing community in line with Rowing Ireland’s mission. Prior to joining Rowing Ireland, Deirdre served as Head of Marketing at emagine, where she led the development and implementation of strategic marketing initiatives to drive business growth and enhance brand recognition.
Guilty pleasure
Downtown Abbey
Most likely to say
Fair Play!
Women in Sport Officer
Ceara O'Connor
Biography
Ceara began rowing in St Michael’s Rowing Club in Limerick in 2004, representing Ireland at junior and senior level, and has been professionally involved in sport in a number of capacities since. She has spent 11 years in Australia, Dubai, and Prague coaching and working in a range of sports in a variety of settings, gaining valuable experience. Ceara has a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a postgraduate degree in Education.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Coach Education Coordinator
Gerry Farrell
Biography
Gerry started rowing as a junior in Neptune in 1975 and has been involved in the sport on and off ever since. He held the position of captain in both Neptune and Shannon. Gerry served on the Board of Rowing Ireland for 10 years and was Treasurer for four of those. He has a keen interest in club support and coach development.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate
Most likely to say
I remember that
Events & Coastal Rowing Co-ordinator
Tadhg Branagan
Biography
Tadhg completed his undergrad degree in Sports Management & Coaching from TUDublin in 2019. That year he moved to New York and took up a role as Games Development Officer with Rockland GAA. In 2020, Tadhg worked as a Sales Developer with Playr-Fit alongside studying a masters in Event Management from TU Dublin. He graduated from his masters in 2023. Tadhg comes from a predominantly GAA background and represented Leitrim Hurlers for a number of years.
Guilty pleasure
Country Music
Most likely to say
'Well, How's Things'
Executive Assistant
Aoife McKeon
Biography
With extensive experience as an EA at a leading media and advertising firm in Toronto, she joined Rowing Ireland in 2024, bringing a wealth of skills to support the leadership team in their day-to-day operations. Aoife has a deep passion for the outdoors and adventure; whether it’s hiking, climbing, or camping in the wilderness, she’s always ready for a new challenge.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate digestives dipped in tea.
Most likely to say
Leave it with me
Communications Assistant
Valerie Hely
Biography
Valerie previously worked with the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland and was an Executive Assistant in the Technology and Pharmaceutical industries for well over a decade. She also has a variety of event management and entertainment experience.
Guilty pleasure
Writing and recording music
Most likely to say
I'm a bit of a night owl
Governance and Planning Assistant
Megan O'Callaghan
Biography
Megan has spent most of her life as an athlete, with a big focus over the last ten years. She has a background in social science and youth work, and is passionate about helping young people and getting more women involved in sport. She's a Level 2 fencing coach and have been on the board of Fencing Ireland for nearly four years. She has worked across several different areas — from dangerous goods compliance to financial risk, recruitment, and youth work.
Guilty pleasure
Terry’s chocolate orange and a cup of Barrys
Most likely to say
No worries or ahh right
Safeguarding and National Rowing Centre Coordination
Caitlin Daffarn
Biography
Caitlin Daffarn will take up the role of Safeguarding and NRC Coordinator from August 2025. Caitlin brings with her a wealth of rowing knowledge and strong administrative experience, making her a valuable addition to the Rowing Ireland team. She will oversee safeguarding responsibilities and support the effective running of the National Rowing Centre. Caitlin succeeds Tadhg Branagan in this role, and we are delighted to welcome her as she steps into this important position.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Leinster Get Rowing Coordinator
Aoife Byrne
Biography
Aoife has been involved with rowing for 15 years. She started with Get Going Get Rowing as a Community Coach in 2016, and took on the Coordinator role after graduating from college. She can often be found driving up and down the east coast and loves bringing rowing to new places.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate
Most likely to say
Let's get going
Munster Get Rowing Coordinator
Amy Johnson
Biography
In a former life, Amy was a journalist in the United States and before that a high school cheerleader. That will come as no surprise if you've ever met her in her role as Munster Coordinator for Get Going Get Rowing. She took on the post in 2022 and since then has been responsible for bringing thousands of pairs of feet into our schools programme in the West of Ireland, and encouraging them on in achievements big and small on ergs and on the water. Amy came to rowing the way so many do, when her son took up the sport and she began volunteering. She rows with Shannon Rowing Club in Limerick.
Guilty pleasure
After Eights (from the freezer, if you please)
Most likely to say
Everyone deserves to have someone on the sidelines cheering for them.
High performance team
High Performance Lead Coach
Dominic Casey
Biography
Dominic coached the lightweight men’s double for the Rio Olympics on the afternoons after his day job. He was appointed Lightweight men’s and women’s coach by Rowing Ireland in December 2016. Dominic has overseen a golden era in Lightweight rowing since then, where multiple medals have been won at World Championships, World Cups and European Championships. Dominic was awarded FISA Coach of the year in 2018 to acknowledge his accomplishments and mark the success of Irish Rowing. In a previous life, Dominic rowed with Skibbereen Rowing Club where he won many Irish Championships in his favourite boats the single and double scull. Dominic also led Skibbereen Rowing Club for many years and built many good crews in that time to put Skibbereen with the highest number of Irish Rowing Championships in Ireland.
Guilty pleasure
A quiet walk
Most likely to say
Did you understand me ?
High Performance Pathway Coordinator
Clara O'Brien
Biography
Clara has been involved in rowing for the past 11 years, rowing with Castleconnell Boat Club as a junior and University of Limerick Rowing Club through college. She has won a number of Irish Championships and competed internationally at Homes and U23 Europeans. Clara began working with Rowing Ireland in 2021 as the Limerick and Clare Coordinator for Get Going Get Rowing, gaining invaluable experience in event planning and management. This year Clara completed her undergrad in Maths and Statistics in UL.
Guilty pleasure
on the way !
Most likely to say
coming soon
Interim High Performance Coach
Ed Hartery
Biography
A sports science graduate and PhD candidate at the University of Limerick, Ed brings extensive experience in athlete development and has played a key role in supporting Ireland’s emerging rowing talent. In addition to his coaching duties, he will also provide dedicated support to the Para rowing programme, further strengthening Rowing Ireland’s commitment to inclusion and the progression of Para athletes within the High Performance pathway.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Interim High Performance Coach
Denise Walsh
Biography
Denise brings a decorated international rowing career to her current role. Her achievements include a silver medal at the 2017 European Championships and a Silver at World Cup I in Belgrade (2017). Denise remained a part of the High Performance programme until 2019 and now contributes her expertise to coaching and mentoring the next generation of athletes.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Interim High Performance Coach
Daniel Blaser
Biography
Joining from Basel Rowing Club, Switzerland, Daniel brings a strong track record in developing junior international talent. His Coaching highlights include a silver medal in the Junior Eight at the Coupe de la Jeunesse and a bronze in the Coxless Pair (2023). In 2024, he guided several athletes to international selection with the Swiss Rowing Federation.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
High-Performance Operations Manager
Ciara Harte
Biography
Ciara joined Rowing Ireland in October 2024 as the Acting Women in Sport Officer to cover maternity leave and has transitioned over to this role. With 20 years of experience as a Post-Primary PE teacher, Ciara has an enduring enthusiasm for all sports, with a particular focus on encouraging teenage girls to stay engaged and active. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her games background as a Level 2 hockey coach and is still actively involved in coaching hockey and GAA at underage level. Ciara holds both a postgraduate qualification and a master’s degree in Special Educational Needs education.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate
Most likely to say
No problem
