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Board & Support
2023/2024
Turlough O'Donnell
Chairperson
I first walked with my wife sometime around 2006 and then walked the Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago in September/October 2008 and have been returning almost every year since. I sometimes volunteer at the Pilgrim Office in Dublin and have volunteered with Camino Companions. The Camino is one of those liminal spaces like Uisneach where everyone and everything comes together and it continues to inspire me.
Turlough has been on the Board for approximately 15 years.
Siobhán Quill
Treasurer
Siobhán has been Treasurer and member of the Board since 2022.
Michelle Yalch
Secretary
Originally from Pennsylvania in the US, I've lived in Ireland for the most part since 2001. I walked my first Camino in 2018 - from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, and then onward to Fisterra and Muxia. Immediately after retutning, I joined the Camino Society Ireland, helping with an Information Day in Midleton, Co. Cork. When I moved to Kildare in 2019, I was able to participate fully with the Society and jumped right in, joining the Events Committee and thereafter the Board as the Secretary. My most recent Camino was the Camino Inglés in February 2023, which ignited a passion for Galicia and its deeply-rooted ties to Ireland and its other Celtic neighbours.
Michelle has been Secretary and member of the Board since 2022.
Betty Tuite
Info Office Secretary
I did my first walk in 2003 and I continue walking each year. For the last 10 years I have worked as a Hospitalera in Alberge Gaucelmo in Rabanal. I also volunteer with the Camino Companions in the Pilgrim Office in Santiago de Compostela.
Betty has been the Information Office Secretary for the last 15 years.
Joe Maguire
Director
I started walking the Camino Francés in 2005 with a group of six friends. We finished in 2010. Since then I’ve walked the Camino Portuguese and the Camino Inglés, the Celtic Camino and stretches of the Camino Francés over and over. I joined the Camino society in 2006 in order to “give something back.“ I wanted to demystify the Camino. I helped on information days and on various subcommittees of the Society before joining the board.
Joe has been a member of the Board for five years.
Gráinne Keating
Director
I listened to my father recounting stories from his Camino for years. Finally 2013 was my time to start my Camino adventures. I have walked with my then teenage son, his friends and their mums, I have walked with my dad and with various friends. I have had the joy of completing the Camino Frances over a number of years. I have walked the Camino Portugués, Camino Ingles, the route from Santiago to Muxia and Finisterra, also a stage of Camino del Norte. The destination was never my goal, but the journey, the journey shared with friends in nature and simply following the yellow arrow. Each Camino journey is unique. As I begin each Camino, I am very aware that I am walking in the footsteps of those who have gone before me and those who will come after me. I always give thanks for the privilege of walking each Camino. The Camino is physically, mentally and spiritually challenging, but also rewarding. I really enjoy sharing my love of the Camino by organising and giving Camino Information Talks - the nuts and bolts of how to plan your Camino. As a member of the Board of the Camino Society of Ireland, I have the opportunity to give back, but also promote the Camino.
Gráinne has been a member of the Board for four years.
Michael Sherlock
Director
I completed the Camino Francés in 2016. Also walked the Portugues Interior 2022. Have also cycled the French Way and Portuguese Way. Walked the English way also.
Michael has been a member of the Board for four years.
Michael Walsh
Director
I started walking the Camino in 2007, like so many others a trial walk from Sarria to Santiago, and I loved the company, the craic and the companionship. Since then I have walked many of the Camino routes in Spain and Portugal, sometimes in the company of a group and other times alone. My biggest adventure was walking from Holycross Abbey in Tipperary to Santiago in the company of my friend Yyonne. We were joined at various stages by family and friends. I also volunteered to help in the albergue in Miraz for a few weeks in 2014. It was hard work but very rewarding. For me, the key to it all is to be a good listener, and remember it's a walk... your walk. Enjoy it.
Michael has been a member of the Board for 10 years.
Jim McNicholas
Director and former Chairperson
I walked my first Camino in 2010 and I have walked several different routes since then. I volunteered in the Pilgrim Office in Santiago in 2012, 2013 and 2014. I have been volunteering in our Information Centre in St. James's Church, Dublin since it opened in 2015. In 2018 I was part of the team that organised the Celtic Camino Festival in Mayo.
Jim has been a member of the Board since 2015.
Pat Gibbs
Director
Lesley Rankin
Director
Fr Colin Rothery
Director
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