Sheila Lynch and Maeve Sheridan. Photograph: Arthur Ellis
SHEILA LYNCH and Maeve Sheridan’s election as President and Vice President of Ennis Chamber respectively have placed women in both senior roles on the board for the first time in its near 100 year history.
A partner at Cashin Clancy Solicitors, Sheila was elected President on a one-year term at last week’s AGM which took place at The Old Ground Hotel. Director of Western Herd Brewing, Maeve Sheridan takes on the role of Vice President.
Pamela Wall (1999-2000) and Sharon Cahir (2004-2005) both solicitors were the first female Presidents of Ennis Chamber while more recently Michelle Madden of Madden Furniture (2013-2014), Willow Managing Director Jean McCabe (2016-2017) and Director of The County Boutique Gwen Culligan (2019-2020) served as President.
Presently, there are also more women than men on the board of Ennis Chamber.
Killarney native Sheila succeeds Bank of Ireland’s Colin Ryan in the role. Formerly Vice President of the Chamber, Sheila has a background in the hospitality industry and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hotel and Catering Management.
Following further studies and qualifications, she joined Cashin & Associates in 2004 and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors with The Law Society of Ireland in 2006. She has, over the years, developed considerable expertise in the area of Family Law – Separation, Divorce and Childcare (to include representing Guardian Ad Litems). She also specialises in the area of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Wardship, Probate and Administration of Estates.
Formerly secretary of the Clare Law Association, Sheila has penned legal articles in this newspaper along with contributing to legal advice slots on Clare FM.
During her acceptance speech, Sheila acknowledged her predecessor’s solid performance and said she was excited to follow in his footsteps. “Businesses have had to survive unprecedent challenges in recent years. There was barely time to draw breath before another crisis loomed. Over that period, a group of businesspeople have shown tremendous courage to step up”.
She added, “I look forward to my term as President. As well as overseeing the day-to-day running of Ennis Chamber, I will focus, together with Vice President Maeve Sheridan, a core sub-committee and Ennis Chamber CEO, on the preparation and delivery of a definitive 3-year Strategy for Ennis Chamber, as we move towards celebrating our milestone 100th anniversary”.
AIB’s Tony Barrett stepped down as Treasurer following nearly two decades in the role,
Chief Executive Officer of St Francis Credit Union, Louis Fahy was elected as his replacement. Further Education and Training Manager with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Eimear Brophy is a new addition to the Board while warm tributes were paid to the late Oliver Moylan who had been the longest serving board member of Ennis Chamber up to his death last year.
Executive Board of Ennis Chamber 2023/ 2024 comprises:
President: Sheila Lynch
Vice President: Maeve Sheridan
Treasurer: Louis Fay
Company Secretary: Margaret O’Brien
Ex-officio President: Colin Ryan
Director: Darragh McAllister
Director: Allen Flynn
Director: Diarmuid McMahon
Director: Gwen Culligan
Executive Board Member: Michelle Madden
Executive Board Member: Siobhan Bermingham
Executive Board Member: Dr Marian Duggan
Executive Board Member: Pat Morris
Executive Board Member: Nandi O’Sullivan
Executive Board Member: Eimear Brophy
Executive Board Member: Eoin Gallagher
