Our Organisation
Rowing Ireland is primarily based at the National Rowing Centre in Cork but also maintains an office at Sport’s HQ, Abbottstown, Dublin.
For Media Enquiries contact Deirdre Lysaght: communications@rowingireland.ie
Administration
Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Carpenter
Biography
Michelle was appointed Chief Executive of Rowing Ireland in 2018. She previously reignited and managed the Get Going...Get Rowing programme. Michelle has a wealth of experience she worked for the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and on the launch of the Euro 2002 information campaign with the European Central Bank. Michelle won her first Irish Championships in 1988, with Shannon Rowing Club, and was a member of the Irish Rowing squad at junior and U23 level. Rowing with Commercial at senior level.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Absolutely
Club and Knowledge Development Manager
Biography
Pat joined Rowing Ireland as Club Support Officer in 2020. Pat has been a member of the Irish Championship committee for the last number of years. Pat is the current Chairperson of the Rowing Ireland Safety Advisory Committee and is a member of Rowing Ireland’s COVID–19 Working Group. Pat coaches with Castleconnell Boat Club, where he has been President for the last two years. Pat was also an assistant coach with the Ladies Homes sculling crews for the Homes Internationals when they were held at the National Rowing Centre in Cork. Pat is an ex-international basketball referee and worked with the Limerick Fire Service for 23 years, reaching the rank of Station Officer.
Guilty pleasure
Bourneville Chocolate
Most likely to say
That's Brilliant
Growth and Participation Manager
Biography
Derek has over 30 years of rowing experience and was a member of St. Michaels Rowing Club, Limerick for all of his competitive career. Derek won four Irish Championships at Junior and Senior level with St Michaels and has represented Ireland proudly at Junior, U23 and Senior levels bringing home seven medals. Derek has been coaching with Castleconnell since 2014. He brings 18 years of Supervisory Management experience, from his previous role as a Manufacturing Supervisor, to the role together with strong project management skills.
Guilty pleasure
Most likely to say
Go Rowing
Finance Officer
Alec Moffett
Biography
Alec graduated from UCC in 2012 with a master’s degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting. Following this he did his training and professional exams with FCOS Ltd in Cork for 4 and a half years.
Guilty pleasure
Guinness and Taytos
Most likely to say
That sounds expensive
Communications and Commercial Manager
Deirdre Lysaght
Biography
As a rowing enthusiast, Deirdre has developed a deep appreciation for the sport's unique blend of physical endurance, strategic teamwork, mental resilience, discipline, perseverance, and collaboration. She is committed to promoting the sport and fostering a vibrant rowing community, where she can contribute to Rowing Ireland's mission of advancing rowing in Ireland, supporting athletes, and inspiring new generations to take up the oars. Deirdre was previously the Head of Marketing at emagine responsible for leading the development and execution of marketing strategies to drive business growth and brand recognition.
Guilty pleasure
Downtown Abbey
Most likely to say
Fair Play!
Women in Sport Officer
Ciara Harte
Biography
Ciara is currently covering Ceara O'Connor's maternity leave. Ciara joined Rowing Ireland in October 2024 as the Acting Women in Sport Officer for a 12-month term. With 20 years of experience as a Post-Primary PE teacher, Ciara has an enduring enthusiasm for all sports, with a particular focus on encouraging teenage girls to stay engaged and active. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her games background as a Level 2 hockey coach and is still actively involved in coaching hockey and GAA at underage level. Ciara holds both a postgraduate qualification and a master’s degree in Special Educational Needs education and is dedicated to helping create positive change and promote inclusivity in schools and sporting communities.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate
Most likely to say
Absolutely
Coach Education Coordinator
Gerry Farrell
Biography
Gerry started rowing as a junior in Neptune in 1975 and has been involved in the sport on and off ever since. He held the position of captain in both Neptune and Shannon. Gerry served on the Board of Rowing Ireland for 10 years and was Treasurer for four of those. He has a keen interest in club support and coach development.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate
Most likely to say
I remember that
Events & Coastal Rowing Co-ordinator
Tadhg Branagan
Biography
Tadhg completed his undergrad degree in Sports Management & Coaching from TUDublin in 2019. That year he moved to New York and took up a role as Games Development Officer with Rockland GAA. In 2020, Tadhg worked as a Sales Developer with Playr-Fit alongside studying a masters in Event Management from TU Dublin. He graduated from his masters in 2023. Tadhg comes from a predominantly GAA background and represented Leitrim Hurlers for a number of years.
Guilty pleasure
Country Music
Most likely to say
'Well, How's Things'
Executive Assistant
Aoife McKeon
Biography
With extensive experience as an EA at a leading media and advertising firm in Toronto, she joined Rowing Ireland in 2024, bringing a wealth of skills to support the leadership team in their day-to-day operations. Aoife has a deep passion for the outdoors and adventure; whether it’s hiking, climbing, or camping in the wilderness, she’s always ready for a new challenge.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate digestives dipped in tea.
Most likely to say
Leave it with me
Communications Assistant
Valerie Hely
Biography
Valerie previously worked with the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland and was an Executive Assistant in the Technology and Pharmaceutical industries for well over a decade. She also has a variety of event management and entertainment experience.
Guilty pleasure
Writing and recording music
Most likely to say
I'm a bit of a night owl
Sport Admin
Jennifer Brennan
Biography
Jennifer graduated from school with a diploma in Travel & Tourism in Cork. She has a strong background in administrative work, including experience in customer service and construction administration. In 2024, she began a new role as Sports Administrator with Rowing Ireland.
Guilty pleasure
A walk on the beach.
Most likely to say
Leave it with me.
High performance team
Interim Programme Lead Coach
Dominic Casey
Biography
Dominic coached the lightweight men’s double for the Rio Olympics on the afternoons after his day job. He was appointed Lightweight men’s and women’s coach by Rowing Ireland in December 2016. Dominic has overseen a golden era in Lightweight rowing since then, where multiple medals have been won at World Championships, World Cups and European Championships. Dominic was awarded FISA Coach of the year in 2018 to acknowledge his accomplishments and mark the success of Irish Rowing. In a previous life, Dominic rowed with Skibbereen Rowing Club where he won many Irish Championships in his favourite boats the single and double scull. Dominic also led Skibbereen Rowing Club for many years and built many good crews in that time to put Skibbereen with the highest number of Irish Rowing Championships in Ireland.
Guilty pleasure
A quiet walk
Most likely to say
Did you understand me ?
High Performance Pathway Coordinator
Clara O'Brien
Biography
Clara has been involved in rowing for the past 11 years, rowing with Castleconnell Boat Club as a junior and University of Limerick Rowing Club through college. She has won a number of Irish Championships and competed internationally at Homes and U23 Europeans. Clara began working with Rowing Ireland in 2021 as the Limerick and Clare Coordinator for Get Going Get Rowing, gaining invaluable experience in event planning and management. This year Clara completed her undergrad in Maths and Statistics in UL.
Guilty pleasure
on the way !
Most likely to say
coming soon
