Our small, mostly part-time team are passionate and dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of north County Mayo, supporting local communities, local jobs and volunteers. If you’ve visited the Centre you’ll know the faces, so find out more about the team here.
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Sarah CorriganManager
Sarah CorriganManagerI coordinate the work of the Centre, with the help of this fantastic team. I am responsible for reporting to our Board and to Pobal, who provide us with funding under the Community Services Programme. Together with the team, we plan events, apply for funding and ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
This is a hugely varied job, from paying the bills to managing the website, and everything in between!
My life outside work revolves around my 3 children and my cats. I like to knit, bake and read when I have the time!
I really enjoy working with the public and meeting new people. Working with this exceptional team of experienced, lovely people makes the days a pleasure. The natural environment and beautiful stone buildings here create a unique atmosphere which is enhanced by the sound of people enjoying themselves!
Before I moved to Ireland, one of my neighbours was Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin
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Brendan WalshGenealogy Researcher
Brendan WalshGenealogy ResearcherI am the Family History Researcher.
I work on behalf of our clients, who come from all over the world, and who have roots in north Co. Mayo. I work with my colleagues to research, compile and produce family history research reports and help people find out more about their Mayo ancestry.
I do odd jobs around the house while listening to podcasts.
The team. I have been really lucky to work with some great people here over the years.
I used to work in archaeology and my first job was on an archaeological excavation on the summit of Croagh Patrick.
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Aine BellOrganic Gardener
Aine BellOrganic GardenerI am the organic garden supervisor.
Planning the yearly crops and garden maintenance . Growing the organic vegetables , fruit and herbs within the garden with the help of my dedicated garden team to sell to local customers and tourists. I deliver garden courses through the year and maintain the organic records for the garden ensuring our continued Organic Certification. I am a Seed Guardian and save our organic seeds for sale to the public and since 2023 we now grow out crops for Irish Seedsavers to resell in their yearly seed catalogue. I also help out with any events that the centre puts on and organise a yearly plant sale along with garden tours. We have many tasks in the garden and it is my job to prioritize and allocate these each week. Aside from the garden team we gratefully receive a helping hand from volunteers and the Western Care throughout the year.
When I am not working I lend a hand at Foxford Community Garden, started by my colleague and dear friend Taragh Cosgrove. Taragh I also help with the annual Foxford Riverfest , helping with organising , bunting making , decorating the town, putting up stalls , whatever I’m needed for. I like to make my own herbal remedies , tinctures and creams from the hedgerow and garden. I love to make my own wine from fruits and flowers . I have been a candle maker for 30yrs and although I no longer attend craft fairs I still like to make some for family and friends. On the rare occasion of a night out I will be the one dancing the night away.
I have always said how truly blessed I am to not only work at something I have a passion for but to do it in the surroundings of the walled garden. When I walk through the gate in the mornings there is a calmness and a welcome always. The garden has its own unique energy and I have always felt supported within it. That support is reflected by the people with whom I have the pleasure of working now and those who I have worked with and met over my 10 years here. The best thing about working here is the friendships I have made and those I have yet to make.
I’m not a very musical adept person but on a trip to Sicily when I was 9yrs old I bought a Jaw harp or Khomus and fell in love with it. I lost it eventually but about 5yrs ago I replaced it and now I own 2 which I love to play.
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Christine FarrellOffice Administration & Reception
Christine FarrellOffice Administration & ReceptionI work on office administration, help with family history research and also on reception.
I love meeting and greeting visitors to the centre and providing them with information on all our facilities, services and events. I also enjoy carrying out data entry and copy editing on genealogical reports as well as assisting in compiling articles for our Centre’s
I enjoy attending music and comedy gigs with family and friends. I love to explore new places for hiking and coastal walks, and I enjoy discovering new music, movies, books and food.
The work content is really diverse which provides constant learning of our local history whilst getting to meet people who visit us from all around the world.
I have always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride!
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Bridget GaughanOffice Administration & Reception
Bridget GaughanOffice Administration & ReceptionReceptionist
Meeting and greeting customers, answering queries and providing information about services at the Centre.
I enjoy walking and reading.
Working in the beautiful surroundings, meeting all the customers from the local area and from all over the world and being part of the fantastic team of people who work here.
I was an Irish dancer in the 1970s and early 1980s with the McGuire School of Irish Dancing travelling to competitions all over London and the UK.
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Bernie WatersFinance & Accounts
Bernie WatersFinance & Accounts -
Michelle GarrettMarketing Co-ordinator
Michelle GarrettMarketing Co-ordinatorMy main roles are assisting with marketing, including social media, and general office and project administration.
Managing our social media accounts and providing administration support for genealogy and family research projects.
I really enjoy creative pursuits like crafting and interior design, physical activities like walking and intellectual pursuits like reading, documentaries, film and solving puzzles.
The small office setting allows for closer relationships with my co-workers, which I think is really important. There is great scope to use my creativity, from writing articles to designing newsletters and I love being surrounded by nature, which for me helps reduce stress and increase productivity. As I am local there is less traffic and congestion to contend with so this makes for a more relaxing commute to and from work.
I have a fear of dogs!!!
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Taragh CosgroveOrganic Gardener
Taragh CosgroveOrganic GardenerI’m a part-time organic vegetable gardener.
Where do we start! I assist Aine in planning sowing, planting, harvesting, seed saving and all the gardening throughout the year. The garden is open all year round and we grow produce all year round which is a mighty accomplishment in the wet and windy West of Ireland!
I have two teenage lads, so I’m always busy with GAA, soccer and Foroige with the lads. I have a small vegetable garden & tunnel at home in Foxford, so I grow my own veg as well. I help in Foxford Community Garden on my days off and I help run an annual nature and fishing festival, Foxford Riverfest. I also help on the Edible Landscape Project a climate awareness program in schools that focuses on growing food forests in schools.
There are so many. The location! The view, the birdsong, the healthy outdoor work is worth it’s weight in gold! The customers! The garden brings in lovely people, always interesting people to meet and talk to. The staff, we’re like a big family. Everyone is helpful and caring and we look after each other. The garden itself – it’s peaceful and calm, and it provides the loveliest food. We know our soil is nurtured well so the food we grow and tend will be nutrient dense and healthy and above all tasty. We can truly stand over what we grow and assure people it’s good…cos it is!!!
I sing in a choir for over 20 years. It’s so great for your head! Again I’ve met and sang with the loveliest people. Singing makes you feel great inside and out! I have a real passion for wildflowers so I like getting out and about looking for the rare orchids!
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Michael GaughanRural Social Scheme staff
Michael GaughanRural Social Scheme staff -
Mary McAndrewRural Social Scheme staff
Mary McAndrewRural Social Scheme staff -
DariaTus Placement
DariaTus Placement
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Ita LynnSecretary
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Declan Howley
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DJ Kellet
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Regina Anderson
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Olena Arshynova
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Philippa Coughlan
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Elaine Harrington