The Board of Directors of the Crafts Council of Ireland is made up of both Ministerial nominees and elected members.
The warrant of appointment issued by the Minister of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation lasts for 3 years, exactly the same
term as the craft representatives elected at the AGM by member organisations.
CCoI Ministerial Appointees Laura Magahy - ChairmanLaura is Managing Director of MCO Projects Ltd, an award-winning company specialising in sustainable development, and 4D urban planning. She has played various roles at Board level in the public and private arenas, including board member of The Arts Council of Ireland, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and CIE. Laura’s particular expertise is in charting and implementing strategic organisational change. She is a Level A Certified Project Director from the Institute of Project Management. | 
| Stephen Hughes
Stephen is a senior manager with Enterprise Ireland where he leads the organisation focus in supporting companies in the consumer products sector. He has over 30 years experience in economic and export development including 13 years overseas, where he more recently led Ireland’s drive to build export growth in UK and Northern-Europe. Stephen has extensive experience in advising Government and in working at regional, national and international levels in supporting the development and growth of Irish SME. |  | Patrick HughesPatrick is the Managing Director of Carraig Donn, Wholesale, Manufacturing and Retail Divisions. The Carraig Donn Manufacturing Group currently employs 50 full time employees with the main focus on export market, winning many national awards i.e. 1991 AIB Export award, supplier of the year 2008 North American Celtic Trade Association. Carraig Donn Retail Division trades out to 22 high street stores and shopping centres, selling the best of Irish brands and international labels and employs in excess of 300 people with a 5 year plan to double this retail company. Patrick has run 20 full marathons and 2 Triathlons and enjoys sailing, golfing and mountaineering. |  | Dermott Rowan Dermott Rowan is the Managing Director and Owner of Kiely Rowan Plc. The company owns the fashion brands Orla Kiely which was formed in 1997 with his wife Orla, and Olive & Orange which was launched last year. Acknowledged as an expert in the field of fashion exporting Dermott has taken the Orla Kiely brand to over 30 countries and conquered the toughest markets including Japan and America. This is celebrated in the form of four UKFE awards including a Gold Award. In 2009 he was a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Dermott and Orla currently live in London with their two sons Robert and Hamish. |  |
CCoI Elected Representatives as of 27th June 2012 Sheila Ahern Sheila has been Secretary and Project Manager with Feltmakers Ireland for the past four years and over that time has developed a great interest and passion for textiles and craft in Ireland. After graduating from UCD with an MA in 1984 she worked in RTÉ for 13 years and continues to work as a freelance researcher in TV and radio | 
| Tina ByrneTina has been working in ceramics for over 17 years. She graduated from the University of Ulster, Belfast in 2003 with an MA and worked to commission in the area of large-scale architectural ceramics. Tina is currently employed as a lecturer at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology on the 1st year program 2 days a week. She is also the editor and graphic designer of the 'Ceramics Ireland' magazine which is produced biannually. | 
| Carmel CreanerCarmel has worked as a contemporary textile artist since 1998. She has been Chairperson of Cork Textiles Network since 2005. During that time she has introduced many new initiatives for the textile community, including an international conference and multiple exhibitions. Carmel also teaches textile art in schools and libraries throughout Cork. | 
| Michael Hanley
Michael Hanley is the CEO of West Cork County Enterprise Board. He was formerly County Development Officer with the West Cork Development Team, a body closely associated with the encouragement and development of the Craft Sector in West Cork. He has also spent some time working with the Department of Finance on EU Structural Funds planning and was involved in the establishment of the Enterprise Boards in Cork in the early 1990s. Michael has qualifications in Accounting and Public Sector Economics and has a Masters Degree in Commerce from UCC. | 
| Sonya Lennon
Currently host of high profile fashion TV show ‘Off the Rails’, Sonya Lennon has been immersed in the Irish fashion industry for over twenty years. Early advocacy of Irish craft and design led to the annual ‘Irish Jewellery Design Exhibition’ in ‘Kamouflage’ in the early 1990s. Sonya is CEO of the first Irish branch of international not for profit organisation ‘Dress for Success’, an initiative to help disadvantaged women gain and retain employment through interview suiting and volunteer mentoring by women in business. She has also launched a campaign to promote Irish craft and design through her ‘Dais’ project, a fashion trilogy, website and app, cataloguing the best of Irish craft and fashion design nationally and internationally. | 
| Derek McGarryDerek McGarry is a studio craft designer living and working in Dublin. Derek completed his craft design education in Ireland and the USA, where he also practiced as a craft maker and university lecturer. Derek’s work has been shown internationally and purchased for permanent collections including the National Museum of Ireland and Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Dublin. Derek is currently Deputy to the Head of the Design Faculty at the National College of Art & Design, overseeing the Department of Ceramics, Glass and metals, as well as the Department of Industrial Design. Derek is the immediate Past-President of the Institute of Designers in Dublin. | 
| Ray Power
Ray is the manager/owner of Castle Arch Pottery in Kilkenny which has given him 20 years of professional experience running a craft enterprise. He is treasurer and a member of the MADE in Kilkenny network which has a membership of 28 craft enterprises. As part of this group Ray has had responsibility in co-ordinating the set up of numerous pop-up shops and exhibitions. | 
| Alison Ospina
Alison has been a chair maker for over 12 years. She has been involved with the West Cork Craft and Design Guild for 10 years. As well as making and selling her own work, Alison teaches courses from her studio in West Cork and works part time as a lecturer in Green Wood Furniture Making at Rossa College on a Level 5 FETAC Art, Craft and Design Course. | 
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