OUR team

Michael’s undergraduate degree is from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and he holds an MSc in Project and Programme Management from University of Limerick. Michael’s career has largely been in finance, and he currently works in Project Management in the investment funds industry. Michael joined the board as a director in 2024.

Charles Irwin is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. He has a broad range of experience having worked in business, education and charity sectors for over 30 years.

He is also on the board of Smile School Completion Programme Clg and the Occupational Therapists Registration Board. He has previously served on the Optical Registration Board and the Board of Oberstown Childrens’ Detention Campus as well as various boards of voluntary charities and organisations.

Marie McSweeney is a Finance Projects specialist with strong expertise in programme delivery, operational improvement and stakeholder engagement. Working at the intersection of finance and technology, she develops practical solutions that make complex systems easier to use.

Her emerging focus is digital inclusion, particularly supporting older adults to participate confidently in an increasingly digital world. Community-centred and grounded in practice, Marie also contributes to digital education initiatives.

She is a Fellow of ACCA and holds a BSc in Finance from University College Cork, along with a Professional Diploma in Digital and Data Analytics from the Institute of Banking.

Sr. Noreen, a Good Shepherd Sister who trained as a social worker and has an MA in Organisational Development. Noreen has been involved with the homeless and those impacted by prostitution and trafficking. She has represented her congregation internationally. From 2010-2018 she served as leader of the Spirituality Centre in Angers, France.

Mary, from Patrickswell in Co. Limerick, is a former General Manager of the Bergerie Trust. Prior to that she was employed in managerial roles in the production and service industries. Mary has also held various officerships at local and national level in voluntary organisations.

Deirdre lives in Newport Co. Tipperary and has a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from UCD. Worked for an Adoption and Fostering Society in London, as Housing Welfare Officer with Limerick City Council covering housing allocations, transfers and recommendation regarding grants for the elderly & disabled, and as Liaison Officer with agencies providing housing for the elderly.

Michelle, from North Galway, joined the Bergerie Trust as a director in 2024. With a background in events and project management, she currently works nationally in the area of refugee integration. She has also worked extensively in Student Life at the University of Limerick and University College Cork. She has previously served as a director of registered charities UCC Medical Society and UCC Surgeon Noonan Society as well as the Board of Irish College Societies.

From the Aran Islands in County Galway, Patricia has worked across a number of Government Departments and has extensive management experience in such diverse sectors as environment, Revenue, international aid and agriculture

Amanda Clifford is from Cork and has been living in Limerick for the past 20 years. She qualified as a physiotherapist in the UK and worked clinically in both acute hospitals, rehabilitation units and outpatient settings. She is a professor of physiotherapy with over 20 years’ experience as an academic, and a member of the Health Research Institute and Ageing Research Centre at the University of Limerick.

Ray joined Bergerie Trust in 2021. He is a Chartered Management Accountant and has worked in senior management positions across a range of indigenous and multinational industries. Ray has been involved in charitable & voluntary organisations in many roles over the years.