Nicola Mitchell is the Director of Youth Ministry at Knock Shrine for the past 14 years. She is passionate about engaging with young people and helping them connect with their faith. She recognises the importance of young people in our Church today and works to encourage and support them to explore and ignite their faith and to live their life to the fullest!

Pauric McWeeney – Senior Training Advisor – MSLETB – with responsibility for Apprenticeship in Counties Sligo and Leitrim. Pauric looks after the needs of Traditional Craft apprentices registered with approved employers in the Sligo and Leitrim areas.

Linda Lally -Senior Training Advisor – MSLETB – with responsibility for Apprenticeship in County Mayo.  Linda engages with employers wishing to recruit apprentices and supports apprentices on their apprenticeship journey.

“Jessica is the School Outreach Advocate and works with DEIS schools and Youth Reach Centres across Ireland in promoting Tech and Tech apprenticeships to senior level students. Having previously studied at Blanchardstown IT (Social Care) and Tallaght IT (Management and Innovation of Technology), she has experience working with educators in promoting and encouraging career opportunities ”

Rachel Stanley, Schools & Colleges Officer

Introduction to St Mary’s University

Áine-lisa Shannon is a project facilitator for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Irelands Seafood Development Agency’s Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC). The ARC offers Transition Year students an introduction to the wide range of education, training and career opportunities that exist within Ireland’s seafood and marine sectors. With a Masters’ degree in Marine Biology, Áine-lisa has a keen interest in science communication, aquaculture, and food sustainability.  She has a wealth of hands-on experience at sea, having worked on many research vessels all around the Atlantic Ocean. She also has practical experience in education having taught science experiments to students in primary schools throughout Ireland.

Caroline Byrne joined Fáilte Ireland in 2003 working within the education and training section. She has over 25 years’ experience within the Tourism and Hospitality sector and holds a Masters in Hospitality and Tourism Management from The University of Birmingham. Caroline represents Fáilte Ireland in many projects within the sector and the education sector. Caroline currently works in the Tourism Careers business unit within Failte Ireland with the responsibility of supporting the tourism industry to become one of the most enjoyable and rewarding sectors to work in. She also plays an important role in addressing recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Shane Lavery is a professional geologist (EurGeol, PGeo) with over ten years’ experience of mineral exploration and other geoscience projects in Ireland, the UK and Africa. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Earth and Ocean Sciences from National University of Ireland, Galway in 2011 and in 2018 completed an MSc at Trinity College Dublin researching a paragenetic model for molybdenite-copper mineralisation in a porphyry deposit in Connemara, Co. Galway.

Shane’s background is mainly in exploration projects for precious and base metals, from grassroots, through sampling and drilling campaigns, to reporting and resource calculation. He was President of the Irish Association for Economic Geology for 2021, and since April 2021 has been the Industry Liaison Officer for the Geo Drilling Apprenticeship through Geoscience Ireland for IT Carlow.

Paddy is Head of School of Design & Creative Arts, at Atlantic Technological University, Galway. The
school includes three departments, the Department of Creative Arts & Media (Galway City), the
National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology (Letterfrack), and the Dept of
Creative Education (Galway City & Letterfrack).
Paddy has previously been a lecturer on the Galway City and Letterfrack campuses, and Head of
Department at the Centre for Creative Arts & Media. Prior to his 26 years working in education, he
worked in a variety of industry sectors and positions in Ireland. He has also worked for a number of
years in consulting roles with companies and organisations in Ireland and the USA.

Jacqueline Mellett is a schools liaison officer with Atlantic Technological University, based in their Sligo campus. Jacqueline, who is a graduate of the campus, is dedicated to advising CAO applicants about all they need to know about the undergraduate programmes available, the entry requirements needed and the progression and career opportunities available to them once they graduate. Visit Jacqueline and other members of the ATU team at the Atlantic Technological University – Sligo stand and ask any questions you may have about study and student life in Sligo.