23 July, 2025
Irish Writers Centre proudly welcomes new board members
The Irish Writers Centre ushers in a fresh era of literary leadership by welcoming seven new members to its Board of Directors, each bringing a unique blend of creativity, leadership, business acumen and legal insight to the organisation. These appointments come at an energising time for the Irish Writers Centre as it enters a next chapter under new CEO Mags McLoughlin, who joined the organisation last year.
The new Board members join at a pivotal moment as the Centre accelerates its ambition to expand and deepen support for writers across the island of Ireland. Their combined experience spans the literary, financial, legal, healthcare, sustainability, publishing and cultural sectors.
The new appointees are:
Patrick Barrett is a practising barrister with a strong focus on governance, regulatory compliance, and public service. A graduate of King’s Inns and University College Cork, Patrick has a broad legal practice and volunteers with FLAC. He has authored a number of legal publications and brings sharp analytical insight and legal clarity to board-level decision-making.
Helen Connealy is a seasoned CEO who has led numerous not-for-profit organisations through transformational change. Currently completing a Masters in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, she is also a leadership coach and accredited Strengths Profiler. Helen is passionate about literature, philanthropy and creating social impact.
Dr Gráinne Daly is a creative writing scholar and published writer, with a PhD in Creative Writing, offers an academic and literary perspective, with particular expertise in sport in literature and experience teaching at university level. She is a recipient of the Maeve Binchy Travel Award.
Maria Dickenson has dedicated her 30-year career to the Irish book trade. Most recently Managing Director of Dubray and previously headed up book buying at Eason, Maria brings exceptional industry knowledge and a strong network. She serves on the board of the Irish Book Awards and has held several senior voluntary positions with the Booksellers Association of UK and Ireland.
Anne Fleck-Byrne is a Chartered Director with over 30 years’ senior leadership experience across healthcare, aviation and the voluntary sector. A former Managing Director and co-founder of Drakelands Nursing Home Ltd, Anne has served in multiple non-executive roles, including on the board of Nursing Homes Ireland. An active supporter of the arts, she contributes to literary and film festivals and champions emerging talent through fundraising initiatives.
Brendan McDonald is Vice President of Engineering & Green Economy with IDA Ireland, based in Paris. With a legal background and extensive experience in foreign direct investment and regional development, Brendan brings an international perspective and strategic vision to the Centre. He is also the author of four children’s titles and is currently writing a novel for adults.
Brian McEnery is Managing Partner at BDO Ireland, with leadership experience in corporate finance, restructuring, and healthcare. In addition, he has also held a number of key positions including Worldwide President of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chair of HIQA and Board Member & Chair of the Audit Committee of NAMA.
Welcoming the new Board members, Irish Writers Centre Chair Breda Brown said: “We’re delighted to welcome this exceptional group to the Irish Writers Centre Board. They each bring a unique perspective, and their combined expertise will help shape the next chapter of our work supporting writers across Ireland. These appointments represent a time of exciting change and bold ambition for the organisation – and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
The new members join the following existing Board members:
Breda Brown, Co-founder of Unique Media, was appointed Chair in October 2021. A trusted strategic communications advisor and former journalist, she is a passionate advocate for literature. She is well known for her work with the An Post Irish Book Awards, her ‘Inside Books’ podcast and her Sunday Independent crime fiction reviews
Áine Denn is an experienced non-executive director and advisor with a strong background in scaling businesses. She previously co-founded Altify, a global B2B SaaS company that delivered innovative sales technology, which was acquired by Upland Software in 2019. Áine now mentors and advises a range of businesses and is known for her active support of entrepreneurship. As well as serving on the Board of the Irish Writers Centre, where she is Chair of the Governance Sub-Committee, Áine also serves on the board of Technology Ireland and is an advisor to the IMRO Technology Committee.
Rosemary Hennigan is an author and solicitor based in Dublin. Her debut novel The Truth Will Out was longlisted for the CWA John Creasy Dagger Award 2023. Her second novel The Favourite was published last year (published in North America as The Favorites). A Fulbright Scholar and graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the University of Pennsylvania, Rosemary works in the NGO sector, specialising in asylum, refugee rights, and housing policy
About the Irish Writers Centre
Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s leading resource and development organisation for writers. Its vision is to support the life of the writer, recognising the impact writers have in illuminating society with their ideas and words.
Through its Creative Writing Academy, the Centre delivers a year-round programme of over 150 creative writing courses, masterclasses and seminars, both online and in person. It also runs a National Mentoring Programme and administers a range of development opportunities for writers, including residencies, competitions and bursaries.
Operating on an all-island basis, the Irish Writers Centre is a membership organisation and a registered charity.
To become a member of the Irish Writers Centre, click here.
