MEET THE BOARD
The NCSC is governed by a voluntary board who have worked for over 20 years to bring this idea to life. Currently the board is made up of the following members:
Paul Duffy, Chair
Paul commenced his appointment as Chair in January 2024. Paul is an experienced Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with extensive knowledge of the consumer and leisure industry.
He brings significant strategic and brand experience, having served previously as Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America. Paul is currently an iNED and AUDCom Chair, REMCom member and Development Committee member of Glanbia plc, an iNED of Hostelworld Group plc, member of the AUDCom, Nomination Committee and member and Chair of the REMCom.
Ali Hewson
Ali is an Irish activist and businesswoman. She has supported the National Children's Science Centre project for over 20 years.
Prof. Luke O'Neill
Luke is a professor of biochemistry at the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.
He is also a founder and investigator at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) and one of the world’s leading immunologists. He is also a Broadcaster and writer.
Melinda Byrns-O’Brien
Mindy is an environmental attorney and has been actively involved in environmental issues for over 30 years. She was the Chief Executive of the environmental charity, Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment (VOICE) for over 12 years and in her retirement, she is the President of Zero Waste Europe and the Chair of Sustainable Water Network in Ireland.
Mindy worked on Capitol Hill in Washington DC for 6 years for several Members of Congress and Congressional Subcommittees.
Michael M. Collins
Michael M. Collins, Senior Counsel and Adjunct Full Professor, UCD, is a leading silk in commercial, competition and EU law at the Irish Bar and is a member of Lincoln’s Inn and Middle Temple. He practices from 4 Arran Square, Arran Quay, Dublin 7. Michael appears regularly before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Ireland and frequently appears before the Court of Justice of the EU.
He also has an extensive practice in commercial arbitration (domestic and international) both as counsel and as arbitrator.
Cathy Moore
Cathy is an experienced professional communicator, strategist and media trainer, advising on communication and media strategy as well as media presentation, specialising in the community, social enterprise and public sector.
She has over 25 years experience on national and international TV, radio and newspapers, with Government in Leinster House and as a communications lecturer.
Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir
Brian Ó Gallachóir is Director of MaREI and Associate Vice-President of Sustainability at University College Cork.
Brian established energy systems modelling capacity in Ireland over the past 20 years and he is a recognised international leader in this field and is a member of Ireland’s Advisory Group on Social and Behavioural Advisory Group on Climate Action.
Helen Ryan
Helen has over 25 years’ experience in the Medical device industry, including as CEO of Creganna Medical and R&D roles at Medtronic and Covidien. She serves as a director for Enterprise Ireland and a number of early stage medical device companies and charities.
She acts as an advisor to Atlantic Bridge Ventures University Bridge Fund and is currently the Chair of the Implementation Group on Police Reform, having recently served as a member of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Dr. Jonathan Westrup
Jonathan is an Associate Professor at Warwick Business School and specialises in Business, organisational and regulatory strategy and corporate governance.
He has been a Director at the Irish Management Institute for many years and Non-Executive Director at NEAM (New England Asset Management).
Paschal Naylor
Paschal is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.
He is an Advisor to Presidio Europe and the co-founder of Arkphire, a leading Irish IT consulting and managed-services company. Under Naylor’s leadership, Arkphire grew to become a €160m business and was acquired by the US tech firm Presidio in 2021.
OTHER SUPPORTERS
Dr. Áine Hyland
Educator and Advisor to the Board. Chair of the Exhibits Committee.
Áine is Emeritus Professor of Education and former Vice-President of University College Cork. She has chaired and been a member of many educational boards and committees during the past forty years. In recognition of her contribution to Irish education, she has been awarded honorary degrees by University College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the National College of Ireland. She was elected as a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2018.
Ann Foley Finnan
An healthcare leader with success in engaging teams to achieve organisational growth and transformation through growing strategic services, improving quality and experience, and developing data-driven organisational accountability in service of patients and their care teams.
Ann has been a committee member of the Irish Network and Irish Heritage Club in Seattle WA and founded COPAC in 2019; a networking group for professional women in healthcare in the Puget Sound, Washington.
Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain is an Irish comedian and television presenter. He is noted for performing stand-up comedy shows all over the world and for hosting topical panel shows such as Mock the Week, The Panel, and The Apprentice: You're Fired!.
In 2012, he was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance for his work on Mock the Week. He has also been a newspaper columnist and written books for both adults and children.
PAST BOARD MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES
We would like to extend our deep gratitude to the dedicated individuals who have committed their time and effort to the National Children's Science Centre since 1998. Here are some of the people who have contributed: Dr. Danny O Hare, Seamus Bannon, Brian Redmond, Peter Brabazon, Dr. Ian Hughes, Frank Doonan, Michael O’Doherty and Phillip Smyth.