Irish Heritage Trust strengthens its board of directors

Senior industry figures join the board of Irish Heritage Trust, guardian of properties including Johnstown Castle, Fota House and Strokestown Park

Irish Heritage Trust board appointees: Susan Frankish, Dan Barrett, Cliona Murphy and , Brendan Byrne.

The Irish Heritage Trust has appointed Dan Barrett, Brendan Byrne, Susan Frankish and Cliona Murphy to its board.

The Irish Heritage Trust is a leading national organisation with four landmark heritage properties currently in its care: Johnstown Castle Estate Museum & Gardens in Wexford; 11 Parnell Square, Dublin, where the Trust is headquartered; Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens in Cork; and Strokestown Park & The National Famine Museum in Roscommon.

Ger Aherne, chair of the Irish Heritage Trust, said: “As we mark the Irish Heritage Trust’s twentieth year, we are delighted to welcome Dan Barrett, Brendan Byrne, Susan Frankish and Cliona Murphy to the board. Each brings exceptional professional experience, strategic insight and a strong commitment to good governance and stewardship.”

Dan Barrett has held senior roles with Tyson Foods International, Dell Financial Services and Hewlett-Packard International Bank. Dan brings deep expertise in corporate governance, operational resilience, cyber and ICT risk, sustainability and digital transformation.

Brendan Byrne is a finance director and chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience. He was finance director for global corporate services and sustainability with Accenture. He also brings his involvement with the National LGBT Federation of Ireland and Chartered Accountants Ireland. 

Susan Frankish is a museum and heritage professional with nearly 40 years as a curator and director across museums and historic houses in the UK. She was director of the Burton Constable Foundation, and has worked for local authority museums and charitable trusts, along with strong governance expertise through her roles as a trustee of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (Yorkshire) and the Hull Maritime Foundation.

Cliona Murphy brings extensive board service across Irish state agencies, charities and the private sector. She is currently on the boards of Bord Bia and the Irish Red Cross, and has served on the boards of Teagasc and Science Foundation Ireland. Cliona brings 25 years of senior international experience with PepsiCo.

The Trust’s projects include the recent completion of conservation works and the recent opening of the historic No11 Parnell Square in Dublin, the headquarters of the Irish Heritage Trust. In Roscommon, the Trust is also progressing major ‘Just Transition’ funded works at Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum.

In the coming years, a new museum on Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, will open under the care of the Irish Heritage Trust, in partnership with ESB.

Over the years, the Irish Heritage Trust has developed a shared authority approach to caring for and managing prestigious heritage houses and gardens. It actively engages with strategic partners, both private and public bodies, in undertaking its work.