Airfield Estate boosts research and education with new appointment

Dr Paul O’Keeffe, new role as head of education and research at Airfield Estate, Dublin’s 38-acre urban farm and sustainable food hub

Dr Paul O’Keeffe, head of education and research at Airfield Estate in Dublin.

Climate resilient agriculture expert Dr Paul O’Keeffe has been appointed as head of education and research at Airfield Estate, Dublin’s 38-acre urban farm and sustainable food hub.

Dr O’Keeffe’s appointment has been accompanied with four new additions to social enterprise Airfield Estate’s board of directors: Des Mahon, Aoife McCann, Barry Cassidy and Clare Corish.

The new appointees will support Airfield Estate’s mission of advancing sustainable food systems through research, education, and public engagement. As well as a research institute, Airfield also delivers innovative education programmes – such as Farmer Time, which connects schoolchildren directly with farmers, and the World of Soil, which helps learners of all ages understand the critical role soil plays in the food system.

Dr O’Keeffe said: “Airfield Estate is a unique space where food, farming, and education come together in the heart of the city. I look forward to building on its strong legacy, expanding our educational programmes such as Farmer Time and World of Soil, and ensuring that our research connects with communities and projects here in Ireland and around the world.” 

Dr Paul O’Keeffe has led the research function since late 2024. He is also engaged internationally through his work with Vijana Twaweza Community, a refugee-led agricultural organisation in Kenya that supports food security for displaced communities through fish, fowl, and vegetable production.

He leads Airfield Estate’s participation in several EU-funded Horizon research projects, which explore climate resilient agriculture, agri-data management, and soil biodiversity ecosystem integration.

Meanwhile, new board member Des Mahon is a commercial advisor with deep expertise in procurement, workplace experience, and service contracts. He has held senior roles across multinationals including Bewley’s and Aramark, and founded consultancy firm Authenticate. Des also serves as a non-executive director at Glencree Visitor Centre.

Aoife McCann is a commercial director and entrepreneur with leadership experience in FMCG, events, and strategic brand partnerships. She has held a number of senior roles at Glenisk, most recently as sales director and was appointed to the National Organic Strategy Group. Aoife’s qualifications include communications, law, and international selling, and she was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2023.

Barry Cassidy is a hospitality strategist, operator, and asset manager with over 25 years’ experience leading food, beverage, and property ventures. As managing director of Independent Insight, he advises investors and operators on transformation, performance, and sustainable growth. He also owns and manages acclaimed hospitality venues, with a proven record of driving commercial success across diverse markets.

Clare Corish is professor of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at University College Dublin, with over 15 years’ experience as a registered dietitian in Ireland, the UK and Saudi Arabia. She leads Ireland’s first MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and drives research on nutrition in older adults.

Clare brings scientific expertise to national health strategies and serves on editorial boards and professional committees in nutrition and dietetics. She has been a member of Airfield Estate’s Education and Research Committee since 2020.

Claire McEvilly, CEO of Airfield Estate, said: “These appointments mark an exciting chapter for Airfield Estate. As a space to get to know your food, we play a vital role in shaping Dublin’s identity as a sustainable food city. Collectively, these individuals provide a depth of expertise that will support and enhance our vision to advance sustainable food systems through evidence-based research, impactful education, and strong governance.”