Our Board - L'Arche Ireland

Our Board Members

Board Members of L'Arche Ireland

Marion Courtney, Chairperson

With 20 years+ background in the HR and corporate business functions of companies in Ireland and France, mainly in start-up/scale-up environments, Marion has been a Board Member/Trustee of L’Arche Ireland & N. Ireland since 2019, serving as Company Secretary, and member of the HR Committee. She was appointed Chair in October 2022.

John Johnson, Company Secretary

John has eight years’ experience supporting the Charity sector following 30 years in various roles in the Commercial sector. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (FCA). John is married to Annmarie with three children Lorna, Niall, Conor. Enjoys rugby, tennis, music and occasional philosophising, has been on the Board of L’Arche since 2015.

Eugene Forde, Board Member

Eugene is a board member since July 2023. He served in government for over forty years, at home and abroad, mainly in the Departments of Trade and Enterprise, and Foreign Affairs. As such he brings to L’Arche a deep understanding of the workings of government agencies and the need for regulation and standards. Eugene is married to Antoinette, has two children and two grandchildren, and a beautiful golden Labrador called Kinder.

Paul Dennehy, Board Member

Paul lives in Cork City and is married to Jean. Paul is a member of L’Arche Ireland – Cork Committee. Paul worked in the Financial Services Sector initially with Irish Life Assurance before moving to the Financial Broking sector and currently works with Blue-chip Financial Consultants. Paul has spent 10 Years on the board of Bishopstown Credit Union and held the role of secretary for 4 years. Paul is also a lifetime member of Scouting Ireland, and his main role is Trainer of new Scout Leaders.

Muirne O’Connor, Board Member

Muirne brings extensive an experience in disAbility services and community development, enriched by her lived experience in life sharing communities. With academic studies in Social Care and Social Policy and Psycotherapy. Muirne currently leads a pilot housing projects for individuals with high support need and consults with the HSE providing bespoke trauma-informed behavioral support for adults in crisis with behaviour needs. She is dedicated to creating nurturing environments that foster personal growth and resilience, emphasizing the importance of connection and meaning-making in her work.

Brid Nolan, Chief Executive Officer and Leader

Bríd is delighted to take up the CEO and Leader role at L’Arche Ireland and is looking forward to getting to know the communities better in Cork, Dublin and Kilkenny. As CEO and Leader, Bríd will be based at the Kilkenny Community. She is committed to furthering the mission of L’Arche, the promotion of a rights-based approach and for advocating for all rights under the UNCRPD. From Kilkenny originally, Bríd now lives with her family in Carlow. She loves getting out and about in the fresh air and is an avid wild swimmer.