Meet our Team

KATHRYN O'MAHONY

CEO

Role Description: To lead the strategic direction of Dublin YMCA in line with the ethos of the organisation and to harness the energy to achieve our purpose and our goals.

Best part of your job: Seeing new projects/programmes being dreamed, developed and implemented, and seeing the effect these have on young people and their families.

How long have you been working in the Y: 13 years.

What do you like to do in your free time: Spending time with my family & cooking.

PAUL McDONALD

Business Development

Role Description: To develop new sustainable, mission appropriate social enterprises that provide the means for the YMCA to fund/develop new and innovate services for young people.

Best part of your job: Being a small part of making a difference in the possibilities for young people.

How long have you been working in the Y: Over 10 years.

What do you like to do in your free time: Being active.

STUART BUCHANAN

Head of Children & Family Services

Role Description: To oversee existing services for children & families and to roll out these services in new settings across Dublin.

Best part of your job: Supporting staff to make a difference to children & families, developing new services, expanding the reach of the Y into new communities

How long have you been working in the Y: Joined YMCA Dublin in April 2023 from YMCA North Down where I worked for nearly 12 years

What do you like to do in your free time: Spending time with family, watching & coaching football, gardening & DIY

LEANNE YOUNG

Head of Community & Youth Services.

Role Description: Supporting and developing the YMCA’s Community and Youth Services in YMCA Aungier St HQ and expanding into new hubs in the coming years in line with YMCA Dublin’s strategy.

Best part of your job: The people, there’s a really positive energy here, and everyone is so committed to their role and doing the best they can for the community.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since Sep 2023.

What do you like to do in your free time: I love to read, cook elaborate meals, talk to my plants and spend time with my friends and family.

ELAINE BARRY

Executive Assistant

Role Description: To provide high level support to the senior team and to support the delivery of the strategy of YMCA Dublin

Best part of your job: I love working with people who truly care and want to make a difference in young people’s lives. It’s a joy to see the positive impact of our work with young people and their families, and the wider community.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since April 2019

What do you like to do in your free time: I love getting out in nature, going to gigs and discovering Dublin, or just curling up in front of the fire with a good book.

JUDE BARRY

Community Employment Supervisor

Role Description: To ensure the efficient and effective management of the human, financial and material resources of the CE Scheme. The central part of this role is to coach CE participants towards gaining skills and abilities in preparation for employment.

Best part of your job: Mentoring participants, helping them see their potential and putting plans in place to help them focus on and reach their personal potential.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since April 2018

What do you like to do in your free time: Walk the dogs, watch movies, play board games and drink tea.

SHAUNA BARNES

Youth Services Manager

Role Description: Line managing and supporting the YMCA Youth Spaces team and programmes. Development of new YMCA Dublin youth and community work spaces. To ensure the highest standards of youth practice, sustainability and growth.

Best part of your job: Seeing the work we do hugely benefiting and positively impacting the lives of a young person and their families.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since January 2016.

What do you like to do in your free time: I love travelling! I have a very active German Shepherd who keeps me on the go but my passion is drinking tea, if I could do it professionally I would!

SUSIE KEANE

Alternative Suspension Coordinator

Role Description: Coordinating the Alternative Suspension programme and staff. Working alongside the student, school and parent/s. Upon completion, we support the young person on their return to school and discuss progression and successes with school and parent/s.

Best part of your job: Being offered the role was the best BUT I am looking forward to many best parts as the programme develops and evolves.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since September 2021

What do you like to do in your free time: Going out for dinner with friends, spending time with my husband and our dog, watching good crime dramas and going to art galleries.

RUSSELL WILBOURNE

Childcare Manager

Role Description: As Manager I need to ensure the smooth running of the centre and make sure all the staff and children are happy and safe.
It is also important to make sure that all new families are welcomed and feel part of the YMCA family.

Best part of your job: Meeting all the children and families that are in the YMCA.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since 2013.

What do you like to do in your free time: In my free time I love travelling, especially back to the UK to visit my two little nieces!

KATIE WALIGORSKA

Childcare Assistant Manager

Role Description: Assisting the manager and staff in delivering a safe, welcoming, happy, understanding, inclusive and educational service with lots of learning opportunities.

Best part of your job: meeting and supporting children and their families.

How long have you been working in the Y: For 13 years.

What do you like to do in your free time: Going for walks, swimming, cooking.

DAIRE POWER

Réidh Coordinator

Role Description: I coordinate the Réidh service and the pre-employment programme ‘Réidh careers’ for migrants and newcomers to Ireland: overseeing the day-to-day running of the programme, organising ESOL classes, connecting with community stakeholders, and supporting participants throughout.

Best part of your job: I love developing and evolving the Réidh service, working in the community, and the dedicated team at the Y.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since September 2022.

What do you like to do in your free time: You’ll find me out hiking, biking, or playing sports like GAA and tag rugby.

PAUL KEEGAN

PlusOne Coordinator & Family Support Advocate

Role Description: I currently have two roles: PlusOne mentoring coordinator and Family Support Advocate. PlusOne involves pairing at-risk or vulnerable young people with one of our volunteer mentors as they enter into the year-long programme. My Family Support Advocate role involves working with both our Youth and Childcare Services as we provide extra support to vulnerable families and young people within our services.

Best part of your job: The best part of my job is getting to know the young people who enter our mentoring programme and see them grow during their time with us.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since October 2019.

What do you like to do in your free time: I like to play computer games, I enjoy cooking, and spending time with my wife and our dog.

BARBARA ATKINSON

Facilities Coordinator

Role Description: Responsible for the day to day management of Sports and Fitness, including reception and housekeeping with responsibilities in our Sandymount branch, ensuring products and services are delivered to high standards whilst maintaining customer satisfaction.

Best part of your job: Knowing everything you do and achieve is aiding and supporting our local community, particularly our youth services.

How long have you been working in the Y: 13 years.

What do you like to do in your free time: Looking after my two beautiful boys.

ISABELLA MEIER

Childcare Supervisor

Role Description: Assisting the management team in the running of the childcare services. Working with the management team and staff to make sure everything runs smoothly and that we care for the children, their families and the staff the best way we can.

Best part of your job: The relationships we build. Being around the children and the staff, it is such a lively environment, no two days are the same. There is always something to be learned from them, children and adults.

How long have you been working in the Y: Since May 2019.

What do you like to do in your free time: Spend time with family and friends. Read or get out and enjoy Dublin.

ERIN REDDY

Youth Work Coordinator

Best part of your job: The best part of my job is having a laugh with the young people.

How long have you been working in the Y: I’ve been working in the y since the end of sept ’19.

What do you like to do in your free time: I spend my free time with my friends or watching movies.