Tourism Ireland has welcomed Pat O’Leary from Killarney and Des Arnett from CIE tours to its board, approved by the North South Ministerial Council. Karen Hennessy becomes vice chair.
O’Leary from Killarney brings experience from Munster Technological University. Karen Hennessy will serve as vice chairperson and Paul Gallagher also joins the board, drawing on Tourism Recovery Taskforce background.
The appointments aim to support tourism recovery, with O’Leary’s industry know-how welcomed by Killarney Chamber.
Peter Burke shared “I would like to wish the members well as they undertake important roles in supporting the tourism industry.”
- Christopher Brooke (Chairman), with a decade as a security advisor in Oman, returned to Northern Ireland in 1990 to develop Galgorm Castle Estate, including a golf complex hosting 10 European Tour events, attracting over 400,000 visitors yearly, and serves as a Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim.
- Karen Sugrue Hennessy (Vice Chair), CEO of Real Leaf Farm pioneering sustainable hydroponic farming, is a Chartered Accountant and Director with an MBA from UCD Smurfit, previously leading the Design & Crafts Council Ireland and serving on the Port of Waterford board.
- Des Annett, Director of Finance at CIE Tours with over 20 years in tourism, holds an MBA from UCD Smurfit and a BA in Accounting, with past roles including President of the Inbound Tourism Operators Association.
- Ruth Andrews, with 36 years in Irish tourism, founded a marketing consultancy, served as CEO of ITOA until 2023, and chairs Fáilte Ireland since November 2023 after leading the Tourism Recovery Taskforce.
- Katy Best, Chief Commercial Officer at Belfast City Airport, is Deputy Chair of Northern Ireland’s Tourism Partnership Board and was a seven-year board member of VisitBritain, with past roles at Tourism Northern Ireland.
- Harry Connolly, Director of Fáilte Feirste Thiar, focuses on West Belfast tourism with a background in community development, chairing Féile an Phobail and co-founding Áras Uí Chonghaile.
- Paul Gallagher, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation with 40 years in hospitality, is a Fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute and has led senior roles at Buswells Hotel and other international brands.
- Laura McCorry, Chief Executive of Tourism Northern Ireland since September 2025, brings over 20 years in heritage and tourism, including an MBE in 2023 for her work at Hillsborough Castle.
- John McGrillen, with 30 years in public sector leadership, was Chief Executive of Tourism NI until July 2025, holding an MBA and past roles at Belfast City Council and Down District Council.
- Stephen McNally, with 40 years in hotels, managed Jurys Doyle plc and later Dalata Hotel Group, retiring in 2022 to start SERLS Hospitality Ltd, and served as President of the Irish Hotels Federation in 2014.
- Pat O’Leary, a retired Managing Director of Liebherr’s Maritime Division with 40 years in port equipment, now chairs the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation and holds advisory roles with MTU Tralee.
- Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI since 2016, previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Tourism NI, holding a B.Com. from Edinburgh and a CIPFA qualification.
