Meet the Team
Our Board
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee (CLG). As a CLG, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association is obliged to comply with company law and best practice in the fields of governance, financial probity and transparency.
The board of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association acts in the interests of sheds and members nationwide, and all its actions and processes are designed to advance the cause and welfare of the men’s sheds movement. The board also bears certain legal responsibilities in relation to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association CLG (the legal entity which manages the affairs and finances of the men’s sheds association).
The board is headed by a Chairperson, elected by board members and subject to re-election every 12 months. A Secretary and Treasurer are also elected on an annual basis. Members of the IMSA board may serve for a maximum of six continuous years.
Board members are recruited in a variety of ways. A certain number of seats are set aside for representatives from the sheds themselves, elected on a province-by-province basis. Board members are also recruited from other fields, in order to bring relevant expertise and experience to the board for the benefit of men’s sheds nationally.
In addition to their legal responsibilities and oversight role, the board of the IMSA is deeply engaged with sheds at local, regional and national level, and committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for sheds and members across all of Ireland.
Board members
Eoin Martyn
Chairman
Alan Tobin
Board Member (Leinster)
Eamonn O'Connor
Secretary
Annalisa O'Carroll
Board member
Paul O'Grady
Treasurer
Gerard Sinnott
Board member (Leinster)
Patrick Cummins
Board member (Munster)
Frank McNamara
Board member
Our Staff
Barry Sheridan
CEO
Barry became CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association in 2015. Before this, Barry worked as the Economic Development Manager for the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership. Barry holds a BSc in Business and Tourism from Brunel University London and a MSc in Local Development and Innovation.
Edel Byrne
Health & Wellbeing Manager
Edel has worked with IMSA since September 2016. Prior to joining IMSA, Edel worked with the Irish Heart Foundation and St. Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin in the area of health promotion. Edel holds a BSc in Spatial Planning from Dublin Institute of Technology and has a Masters in Health Promotion from the National University of Ireland Galway. Before working in the health sector, she worked as a Town Planner for a local authority for a number of years.
Frank Dillon
Head of Fundraising & Partnerships
Frank joined the IMSA team in early 2019. Frank has over 20 years’ experience working in the sponsorship/marketing/media sectors, having previously worked for Today FM, Newstalk and Business and Finance Magazine. Frank holds a BSc in Management and Marketing and a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute.
Eva Beirne
National Volunteer Coordiantor
Eva has been with the IMSA team since 2016. Eva comes with a wealth of experience, having previously worked in community development and the business sector. Before joining IMSA, Eva worked for the leading research and community development centre, the Netwell Centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology, where she spearheaded the development of sheds in the North East Region of Ireland. During this time, Eva also served on the board of IMSA, serving one three year term.
Andrew Rooney
Communications Officer
Andrew joined the Irish Men’s Sheds Association in late 2019. Andrew has nearly ten years’ experience working in the charity sector, having previously worked for national organisation’s such as Merchants Quay Ireland and the Peter McVerry Trust. Andrew holds a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care from the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, an MA in Public Affairs and Political Communication from Dublin Institute of Technology and a Diploma in Digital Marketing & Social Media from the Institute of Commercial Management.
Sandra Purtell
Finance & Administration Officer
Sandra has been a member of the IMSA team since 2015. Sandra has worked within the community sector for 28 years and has experience working across all the diverse groups in this sector. Prior to joining the Irish Men’s Sheds Association Sandra worked with the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership for 10 years on both LDSIP and LCDP programmes. Sandra has also worked with the Dublin Employment Pact, which was set up under an EU-supported initiative to tackle employment and development issues in the Dublin Region.
Lianne McAree Murphy
Health & Wellbeing Administrator
Prior to joining the Irish Men’s Shed Association in 2019, Lianne worked as a Health Promotion Facilitator with Cavan Monaghan Healthy Families. Before this, Lianne worked as an Administrator in a suicide prevention charity. Lianne holds a BA in English and History from National University of Maynooth, an MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Chester and a Diploma in Sports Nutrition from the International Olympic Committee.
Paul Newman
Administrator
Paul Newman joined the IMSA in September 2015. Before joining Paul was on a TÚS programme with the Ballymun/Whitehall Partnership where he ran the Care & Repair Department, providing a gardening and maintenance service to older people living in the area. Paul has responsibility for managing the shed membership of the association, as well as the provision of support and advice to sheds nationwide.