TL;DR: The Irish Heritage Trust welcomes four new board members as it gears up to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. Dan Barrett, Brendan Byrne, Susan Frankish, and Cliona Murphy bring a wealth of expertise in governance, finance, and heritage management, fundamental to steering the Trust’s future projects.
The Irish Heritage Trust is positioning itself for a promising future with the recent appointment of four new board members: Dan Barrett, Brendan Byrne, Susan Frankish, and Cliona Murphy. As the Trust celebrates its twentieth anniversary, Chairman Ger Aherne emphasized the exceptional professional backgrounds each new member brings. This strategic recruitment is particularly timely given the Trust’s ambitiously diverse portfolio of heritage properties, including the likes of Johnstown Castle Estate and Strokestown Park, both of which play pivotal roles in Ireland’s historical narrative.
Dan Barrett comes to the Trust with an impressive resume featuring senior roles in major corporations such as Tyson Foods and Dell. His extensive experience in corporate governance, operational resilience, and sustainability is expected to enhance the Trust’s organizational integrity as it moves into a new era of operations. Meanwhile, Brendan Byrne, a finance director and chartered accountant, adds over two decades of financial acumen from his previous tenure at Accenture. His involvement with the National LGBT Federation of Ireland reflects a commitment to inclusivity, which resonates well with the Trust’s ethos as a national steward of culture and heritage.
Susan Frankish, with nearly forty years of experience in the UK’s museum and heritage sectors, brings a depth of insight that will serve the Trust well. Her previous governance roles at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council underscore her capability to navigate complex regulatory and operational landscapes. Cliona Murphy, another heavyweight, has a strong board presence across several Irish agencies and a formidable background with PepsiCo, promising a robust, results-driven approach to the Trust’s mission.
The Trust is equally busy with ongoing projects, such as the conservation works at No11 Parnell Square and the significant progress at Strokestown Park, thanks to ‘Just Transition’ funding. It’s clear that the Trust is not just about conserving the past; it’s also about engaging with contemporary themes and partners. Their future plans include opening a new museum on Lower Fitzwilliam Street, signifying an intriguing blend of traditional heritage with modern aspirations.
However, the spin of precisely aligning heritage management with contemporary governance models sometimes raises eyebrows. One can’t help but wonder: can we maintain genuine cultural stewardship while balancing the demands of modern financial practices? As the Irish Heritage Trust navigates this delicate tightrope, it will require not only strategic insight but also a good dose of charm and humour—after all, heritage should be as engaging as it is educational.
Interestingly, did you know that the Irish Heritage Trust not only looks after these historic properties but also actively engages with local communities to amplify the cultural significance of these sites? The intertwining of local narratives with broader historic events highlights how heritage is not just about the buildings, but the stories they harbor.
