Meet The Team

Our success as an NGB is defined by the long-standing committed staff who have been on this journey to bring Mountaineering Ireland to where we are today. If you share our passion for mountaineering, hiking, climbing, then join us. We would love to see you!

Liam Feeley

Chief Executive Officer

liam@mountaineering.ie

Liam had a distinguished career in the Defence Forces, including serving as a senior officer within the Army Ranger Wing, before joining Mountaineering Ireland in 2024. Originally from Mayo, Liam holds a degree in PE and Geography teaching and a qualification in Senior Leadership and Management. He is also a qualified skydiving instructor. He is a lifelong enthusiast of the outdoors and is passionate about sharing his love for the mountains and empowering others to experience the joys and challenges of hillwalking, climbing and mountaineering.

Helen Lawless

Access & Conservation Officer

helen@mountaineering.ie

Helen considers herself to be in the really lucky position of being able to combine her love of mountains with her work for Mountaineering Ireland. Her job is focused on maintaining and improving our ability to get access to the places where we walk and climb, and helping to protect the mountains we all enjoy. Outside of work, she is an active hillwalker, with a passion for wild and rugged landscapes, and a curiosity about all aspects of the mountain environment. She holds both the Mountain Leader and International Mountain Leader awards.

Siobhán Quinn

Administration Officer

info@mountaineering.ie

Siobhán joined Mountaineering Ireland in 2017 as Administration Officer and also took on the role of Company Secretary in 2022. She first discovered the satisfaction of working with members, volunteers and committees who are passionate about their activities while working for the Canadian Avalanche Association in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada.

Ruth Whelan

Hillwalking Development and Club Officer

ruth@mountaineering.ie

Ruth enjoys having the opportunity to share her love for the mountains with others. She has a degree in Sports Management and a research masters on the perception of women leaders in sport at UCD. Ruth acts as a representative of hillwalking interests at a national level, and works to support and develop hillwalking clubs. She has walked and climbed mountain ranges in Scotland, Africa, and in the French, Italian and Austrian Alps, however the Irish hills will always be closest to her heart for their rugged charm and wild beauty.

Ricky Bell

Youth Development Officer Northern Ireland

ricky@mountaineering.ie

Ricky has been pulling down and enjoying climbing in Ireland for nearly 30 years. He is passionate about rock climbing and our mountain environments. He likes to share the things he’s learnt, and he loves seeing people enjoying their climbing. Ricky loves his role because it gives him the opportunity to work with young people and help develop the sport of climbing in Northern Ireland.

Laura Griffin

Digital Engagement & Programme Officer

laura@mountaineering.ie

Laura joined the Mountaineering Ireland team in 2018 as a Training Administrator and has since taken on new responsibilities in membership support and other areas. Originally hailing from Finland, Laura was introduced to hiking after moving to Ireland in 2002. She has since tried her hand at climbing as well. Laura is a lover of dogs, photography and a Finnish delicacy of salted liquorice, which none of her Irish friends or family have yet come around to!

Jane Carney

Training Officer

jane@mountaineering.ie

Jane has been an Outdoor Education and Science Teacher and Instructor for 30 years, and has been Mountaineering Ireland’s Training Officer for the last 10 years. She is a qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, Winter Mountain Leader, Summer Mountain Leader, and Rock Climbing Instructor. Jane was a trainer and assessor of all Mountain Training Climbing and Walking Awards and Schemes for 15 years. She is the Chair of UIAA Youth Innovation Panel and she is a UIAA Youth Commission member. Jane is a member of the board of Mountain Rescue Ireland.

Michael Duffy

Climbing Development Officer

michael@mountaineering.ie

Having started climbing at the age of 12, Michael has always felt a strong connection to the Irish climbing community. In his climbing career he has had the opportunity to develop many climbing areas around Ireland, establishing climbs of the highest quality and difficulty, and discovering new places along the way. Be it trad, bouldering or sport climbing, he aims to further support the development of all forms of climbing in Ireland.

Julie Carolan

Training Administrator

julie@mountaineering.ie

Julie joined the Mountaineering Ireland team in January 2024 as our new Training Administrator. Prior to joining Mountaineering Ireland, Julie divided her time between running her own small physical therapy and pilates business and looking after her young family. She was previously employed in the IT industry. Julie has always been a lover of sport and the outdoors and keeps fit with jogging/walking, cycling and pilates. She also likes to spend time working in her garden.

Caoilainn McDaid

Hillwalking Development and Events Officer

caoilainn@mountaineering.ie

Caoilainn joined the Mountaineering Ireland team in 2023 and recently started in the new role of Hillwalking Development and Events Officer. She is an avid hiker and is currently training towards her Mountain Leader Award. In 2022, she completed a six-month thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in the US. When she’s not out on the hills, Caoilainn enjoys climbing, sea swimming, and playing tag rugby.

Jason King

National Programme Manager, Get Ireland Walking

jason@getirelandwalking.ie

Jason is passionate about promoting Physical Activity and Health. His academic qualifications provide me with a wide skillset and expertise in Exercise, Health and Physical Activity Promotion, Community Education and Leadership and Management. In my spare time between work, travelling and family, I have a fond love for walking, research and running off road on trails and open mountains.

Linda Sankey

Communications & Administrative Officer, Get Ireland Walking

linda@getirelandwalking.ie

Linda joined Get Ireland Walking in 2019 as the first Communications Officer with the initiative. Her original career was in Television Production and she then moved into working in Communications in the charity section. Outside of work Linda enjoys walking, cycling and climbing.

Natalia Pocelujko

National Development Officer, Get Ireland Walking

natalia@getirelandwalking.ie

Natalia graduated from the University of Poland with a Masters Degree in Physical Education specialising in Sport Recreation Management, Health Education, Physiotherapy and Sports Nutrition. She competed in swimming at a national level, and represented Poland in Kayak Polo at international level. Since moving to Ireland eleven years ago Natalia has taught and managed in a number of fitness related industries across the country, most recently rolling out programs as Community Sports Development Officer with Waterford Sports Partnership. She is passionate about all outdoor activities, in particular mountain running, and about leading a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

Pamela Bastable

National Childrens Officer

pamela@mountaineering.ie

Throughout her life and career, Pamela has always had a deep love and passion for sport. She has witnessed first-hand the transformative influence of sports in fostering personal growth, teamwork, and community development. Through her voluntary roles on committees for hockey clubs in Dublin and Dubai, Pamela has gained a firm belief in the ability of sports to inspire, unite and effect positive change. She is dedicated to advocating for diversity and inclusivity within the sporting community. Pamela brings her extensive experience in governance from her roles as Company Secretary & Director of Governance at Hockey Ireland, and as Company Secretary at Louvre Middle East JLT, Dubai. Pamela also holds a Diploma in Sports Law.