Dr Mary-Kate Burke
Appointed head of the department of veterinary medicine at SETU.
South East Technological University (SETU) has appointed Dr Mary-Kate Burke as head of the department of veterinary medicine. Having joined SETU as the veterinary medicine programme development lead, Mary-Kate now steps into the head of department role. As a graduate of University College Dublin, she brings a wealth of clinical and academic experience.
Speaking about her appointment, Mary-Kate says, “This is a transformative time for veterinary medicine education in Ireland, and I am delighted to be part of it. SETU’s new MVB programme is designed to reflect the realities of Irish practice, strengthen regional capacity, and ensure a sustainable future for the profession.”
Professor Patrick Pollock
Appointed head of veterinary medicine and surgery at ATU.
The new five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery is open to students from September 2026, and will be based at Atlantic Technological Universities (ATU) in the Letterkenny campus, Donegal with one semester delivered at Mountbellew, Co Galway. Professor Patrick Pollock has led major veterinary hospitals at universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow and is the world’s first professor of remote and rural veterinary medicine.
Professor Pollock says: “ATU Veterinary is more than a vet school, it’s a veterinary community, serving the people and animals of Ireland and beyond. Our graduates will emerge resilient, confident, and ready to make a difference anywhere in the world.”
Patrick Pollock, appointed head of veterinary medicine and surgery at ATU.
Mark Sheeran
Appointed chairman of Forest Industries Ireland.
Mark Sheeran, managing director of CJ Sheeran Ltd has been appointed as the new chairman of Forest Industries Ireland (FII). As chief executive of Ireland’s largest pallet manufacturer, Mark brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role. CJ Sheeran Ltd is also the owner of Coolrain Sawmills, giving him valuable insight into the timber supply chain.
Speaking about his appointment, Mark says, “As the new chairman of FII, I have strong hopes for the continued expansion of the forest products sector. Ireland enjoys key competitive advantages particularly our ability to grow fast-growing conifers. I am passionate about ensuring the sector fully embraces its environmental and climate-related potential.”
Mark Sheeran, appointed chairman of Forest Industries Ireland.
Maria Murphy
Appointed head of marketing and communications at National Dairy Council.
Maria Murphy brings extensive experience in strategic marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement across the food and consumer goods sectors, having held senior leadership roles at Danone across its dairy, plant-based and infant nutrition divisions. In her new role at the National Dairy Council (NDC), Maria will lead the marketing and communications strategy and the visibility and impact of Ireland’s dairy sector.
“I look forward to working with such a talented team to build on the NDC’s strong foundation of sharing the story of Irish dairy, highlighting its superior quality and nutritional excellence and building a brand identity that resonates with farmers, partners, and consumers,” Maria says.
Maria Murphy, appointed head of marketing and communications at National Dairy Council.
Loretto Callaghan
Appointed to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Loretto Callaghan has been appointed to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for a three-year term.
BIM is the Irish State agency responsible for developing the Irish seafood industry.
Loretto is CEO of Vzarii Therapeutics and has international experience in leadership, executive, and board membership across the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and healthcare delivery sectors.
Speaking about her new appointment to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Loretto says, “I am looking forward to working with the executive and the board of BIM to support the continued development and growth of the Irish seafood industry, particularly as it navigates significant challenges.”
Loretto Callaghan, appointed to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Dr Paul O’Keeffe
Appointed head of research and education at Airfield Estate.
Airfield Estate has formally appointed Dr Paul O’Keeffe as head of education and research, a role he has held since 2024.
Paul brings a background spanning academia and grassroots development, with a focus on the intersections of food, farming, and education.
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.
Speaking about his appointment, Paul says, “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.”
Dr. Paul O’Keeffe, appointed head of research and education at Airfield Estate.
*Online version updated on 6 November 2025.
Dr Mary-Kate Burke
Appointed head of the department of veterinary medicine at SETU.
South East Technological University (SETU) has appointed Dr Mary-Kate Burke as head of the department of veterinary medicine. Having joined SETU as the veterinary medicine programme development lead, Mary-Kate now steps into the head of department role. As a graduate of University College Dublin, she brings a wealth of clinical and academic experience.
Speaking about her appointment, Mary-Kate says, “This is a transformative time for veterinary medicine education in Ireland, and I am delighted to be part of it. SETU’s new MVB programme is designed to reflect the realities of Irish practice, strengthen regional capacity, and ensure a sustainable future for the profession.”
Professor Patrick Pollock
Appointed head of veterinary medicine and surgery at ATU.
The new five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery is open to students from September 2026, and will be based at Atlantic Technological Universities (ATU) in the Letterkenny campus, Donegal with one semester delivered at Mountbellew, Co Galway. Professor Patrick Pollock has led major veterinary hospitals at universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow and is the world’s first professor of remote and rural veterinary medicine.
Professor Pollock says: “ATU Veterinary is more than a vet school, it’s a veterinary community, serving the people and animals of Ireland and beyond. Our graduates will emerge resilient, confident, and ready to make a difference anywhere in the world.”
Patrick Pollock, appointed head of veterinary medicine and surgery at ATU.
Mark Sheeran
Appointed chairman of Forest Industries Ireland.
Mark Sheeran, managing director of CJ Sheeran Ltd has been appointed as the new chairman of Forest Industries Ireland (FII). As chief executive of Ireland’s largest pallet manufacturer, Mark brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role. CJ Sheeran Ltd is also the owner of Coolrain Sawmills, giving him valuable insight into the timber supply chain.
Speaking about his appointment, Mark says, “As the new chairman of FII, I have strong hopes for the continued expansion of the forest products sector. Ireland enjoys key competitive advantages particularly our ability to grow fast-growing conifers. I am passionate about ensuring the sector fully embraces its environmental and climate-related potential.”
Mark Sheeran, appointed chairman of Forest Industries Ireland.
Maria Murphy
Appointed head of marketing and communications at National Dairy Council.
Maria Murphy brings extensive experience in strategic marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement across the food and consumer goods sectors, having held senior leadership roles at Danone across its dairy, plant-based and infant nutrition divisions. In her new role at the National Dairy Council (NDC), Maria will lead the marketing and communications strategy and the visibility and impact of Ireland’s dairy sector.
“I look forward to working with such a talented team to build on the NDC’s strong foundation of sharing the story of Irish dairy, highlighting its superior quality and nutritional excellence and building a brand identity that resonates with farmers, partners, and consumers,” Maria says.
Maria Murphy, appointed head of marketing and communications at National Dairy Council.
Loretto Callaghan
Appointed to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Loretto Callaghan has been appointed to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for a three-year term.
BIM is the Irish State agency responsible for developing the Irish seafood industry.
Loretto is CEO of Vzarii Therapeutics and has international experience in leadership, executive, and board membership across the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and healthcare delivery sectors.
Speaking about her new appointment to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Loretto says, “I am looking forward to working with the executive and the board of BIM to support the continued development and growth of the Irish seafood industry, particularly as it navigates significant challenges.”
Loretto Callaghan, appointed to the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Dr Paul O’Keeffe
Appointed head of research and education at Airfield Estate.
Airfield Estate has formally appointed Dr Paul O’Keeffe as head of education and research, a role he has held since 2024.
Paul brings a background spanning academia and grassroots development, with a focus on the intersections of food, farming, and education.
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.
Speaking about his appointment, Paul says, “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.”
Dr. Paul O’Keeffe, appointed head of research and education at Airfield Estate.
*Online version updated on 6 November 2025.
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