Meet THE Team

Senior Project Manager

Owen Murphy is a wildlife management specialist, specialising in ornithology and the conservation of ground nesting birds.

Headstarting manager

Donal Beagan has been working in the conservation of ground nesting birds such a Curlew, Hen Harrier, Red Grouse and Lapwing for over 10 years. He has a keen interest in predation risk management for vulnerable species and understands the level of commitment required to achieve breeding success with waders.

LEAD PROJECT ECOLOGIST

Andrea Parisi completed a PhD from Atlantic Technological University, where he researched the use of passive acoustic monitoring and thermal imaging for corncrake conservation. He is a keen birdwatcher and particularly interested in the protection of birdlife within agricultural systems.
owen.murphy@breedingwaders.ie
donal.beagan@breedingwaders.ie
andrea.parisi@breedingwaders.ie

Communications Manager

Karen Nugent has a strong background in marketing communications, communication strategies, and event management. She thrives on collaborating with others and is excited to share the impactful work being done by the Breeding Waders EIP with a wider audience.

senior gis specialist

Sam Griffith holds a Ph.D. in Archaeological Science and has extensive experience conducting research and working as a GIS consultant across various cultural heritage and environmental impact assessment projects. He is deeply passionate about utilizing data analysis and visualization techniques to safeguard vulnerable species, environments, and heritage. Sam currently oversees the mapping and geospatial components of the Irish Breeding Waders EIP.

Project officer/west

Shane Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Environmental Science from Munster Technological University. With over 15 years of experience as a Wildlife Biologist and Gamekeeper, Shane has collaborated with various conservation organizations. He is particularly passionate about ground-nesting birds, especially waders, and has specialized in predator and habitat management.
karen.nugent@breedingwaders.ie
sam.griffith@breedingwaders.ie
shane.sweeney@breedingwaders.ie

Project Officer/donegal

Alena Kunkel has a background in Science Communication and a keen interest in social issues related to farming, particularly workforce retention and the societal connection to food production. She trained in Nature Conservation and Animation with NPWS and has worked on the FarmPEAT Project, as well as serving as the Donegal Development Officer for Clean Coasts, An Taisce. Recently, Alena completed a postgraduate diploma in Agroforestry and Landscape Biodiversity at SETU.

Project officer/Lough ree,shannon callows, East

Annie Birtwistle is a skilled ecologist specialising in ornithology, with extensive experience working with breeding waders. Raised in a farming community, Annie combines her ecology career with active farming. She is deeply passionate about promoting nature-friendly farming practices and advocating for farmers, ensuring they have a positive voice in the field of conservation.

Project officer/Lough ree,shannon callows, East

Laura McEntegart holds a degree in Botany and Plant Science from the National University of Ireland. Years of experience in ecological consultancy, specializing in bat surveys. Growing up near the Shannon Callows, Laura developed a deep passion for farming, nature, and community-focused biodiversity education. She has practical experience with Callow farming systems and understands the challenges they face. Laura is eager to work alongside farmers and local communities to enhance breeding wader habitats and improve biodiversity.
alena.kunkel@breedingwaders.ie
annie.birtwistle@breedingwaders.ie
laura.mcentegart@breedingwaders.ie

Project Officer/Curlew WAZ

Kyle Sweeney, a native of the Dartry Mountains, was inspired by his natural surroundings to pursue a degree in biology, which eventually led him to specialize in ecology. He has gained valuable experience working with farmers to support breeding wader recovery through the Curlew Conservation Programme and the Breeding Curlew EIP. As the Wader Project Officer, Kyle collaborates with stakeholders to implement conservation strategies and promote sustainable land management practices for waders. He has a deep interest in cultural heritage, particularly in the significant role that waders, especially the Curlew, play in it.

GIS Technician

Elena Bucura has a background in engineering and the outdoors. She is a Qualified ML (IRL & UK), an Accredited LNTI Trainer, and a 2024 graduate of the ‘Nature Conservation and Interpretation’ course offered by LNTI, NPWS, and MTU.

She is currently working towards certification as a Mountain Skills CP and Bird Ringer (BTO). She enjoys hiking and volunteers in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat restoration.
Elena updates maps, delivers GIS training, and assists with ecological surveys and data collection.

Nest Protection Officer

Jimmy Kneale has extensive experience in nest protection and is deeply passionate about conservation. With a strong working knowledge of wildlife and habitats, he has dedicated much of his life to farming in an environmentally sustainable way. He has restored his own farm and the surrounding lakeshore into a sanctuary for nesting birds and wildlife. In addition to his conservation work, Jimmy is skilled in clay pigeon shooting and falconry, and he proudly holds a World Championship Silver Medal for Ireland in Skeet Shooting.

 

kyle.sweeney@breedingwaders.ie

Land Management
Operative

 

Pat McCallon brings a wealth of knowledge in lake and navigation. With extensive experience as a machinery operator, he excels in scrub clearance, creating wader scrubs, and construction projects. Pat is passionate about conservation and an avid angler. He feels most at home on a boat, especially while working on the islands of Lough Ree. Pat will be putting all his skills to work for the project and will also undertake nest protection and surveying duties.

Administration/
Financial Controller

Maria Pettit provides administrative, budget management and assistance support to the Breeding Waders EIP team, thus ensuring that internal operations remain efficient and satisfactory. She ensures her role focuses on the supporting of all staff, as well as programme teams to drive the organisation’s membership, support networks, and enhance programmes for the entire organisation. This includes ICT services, Risk management, Compliance, legal matters, and logistical support for IRL. Maria has previously worked in this role with the National Rural Network and the CAP Network.

Administration/
Financial Controller

 

Mary Keyes Cornally has successfully managed multiple European projects. This involves ensuring that these projects remain on schedule and within budget, while also acting as a vital communication link between project partners, stakeholders, and funding agencies. A key aspect of her role is to develop detailed project plans and timelines. Mary brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to her Breeding Waders EIP role.

maria.pettit@breedingwaders.ie

mary.keyes@breedingwaders.ie

GIS Technician

 

Emma Roberts is a proud Clare woman with a PhD in Zoology from the University of Galway, where she specialised in urban red squirrel ecology and applied GIS. Her path took her east, from Galway to Rockabill Island as a tern warden, then on to Hanoi, where she managed wildlife crime cases with Education for Nature Vietnam. She later returned to Ireland for another seabird monitoring position on the East Coast, before finally making her way back to Clare. Emma joined the Breeding Waders EIP team as a GIS technician, supporting wader conservation through mapping and geospatial analysis.

Project Officer/West

Dana Kneale’s career is firmly rooted in conservation. Growing up along the shores of Lough Gara, she was immersed in a landscape rich in biodiversity, particularly ground-nesting wader birds, which inspired her lifelong commitment to protecting Ireland’s wildlife.
Dana began her professional journey with the Breeding Waders EIP as a Seasonal Nest Protection Officer. Her dedication and expertise quickly led to her promotion to Project Officer, where she now oversees conservation efforts within the West Wader Action Zone.

Post Doctoral Researcher

Dr John A. Byrne is a seasoned conservation ecologist with a strong background in habitat restoration, avian predator-prey dynamics, and conservation genetics. Over the past two decades, he has led and contributed to numerous conservation and research initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Before transitioning into ecology, John served with distinction in An Garda Síochána, where he held roles as Detective, Crime Scene Investigator, and Head of the National Forensic Coordination Office. In 2017, he returned to academia, earning both an MSc and PhD from the School of Biology and Environmental Science at University College Dublin.

John joined the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Atlantic Technological University Galway in October 2025. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Breeding Waders European Innovation Partnership (EIP), where he continues to apply his expertise to support conservation efforts across Europe.

emma.roberts@breedingwaders.ie

dana.kneale@breedingwaders.ie

johna.byrne@atu.ie

Senior Project Manager

Owen Murphy is a wildlife management specialist, specialising in ornithology and the conservation of ground nesting birds.
owen.murphy@breedingwaders.ie

Headstarting manager

Donal Beagan has been working in the conservation of ground nesting birds such a Curlew, Hen Harrier, Red Grouse and Lapwing for over 10 years. He has a keen interest in predation risk management for vulnerable species and understands the level of commitment required to achieve breeding success with waders.
donal.beagan@breedingwaders.ie

LEAD PROJECT ECOLOGIST

Andrea Parisi completed a PhD from Atlantic Technological University, where he researched the use of passive acoustic monitoring and thermal imaging for corncrake conservation. He is a keen birdwatcher and particularly interested in the protection of birdlife within agricultural systems.
andrea.parisi@breedingwaders.ie

Communications Manager

Karen Nugent has a strong background in marketing communications, communication strategies, and event management. She thrives on collaborating with others and is excited to share the impactful work being done by the Breeding Waders EIP with a wider audience.
karen.nugent@breedingwaders.ie

senior gis specialist

Sam Griffith holds a Ph.D. in Archaeological Science and has extensive experience conducting research and working as a GIS consultant across various cultural heritage and environmental impact assessment projects. He is deeply passionate about utilizing data analysis and visualization techniques to safeguard vulnerable species, environments, and heritage. Sam currently oversees the mapping and geospatial components of the Irish Breeding Waders EIP.
sam.griffith@breedingwaders.ie

Project officer/west

Shane Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Environmental Science from Munster Technological University. With over 15 years of experience as a Wildlife Biologist and Gamekeeper, Shane has collaborated with various conservation organizations. He is particularly passionate about ground-nesting birds, especially waders, and has specialized in predator and habitat management.
shane.sweeney@breedingwaders.ie

Project Officer/donegal

Alena Kunkel has a background in Science Communication and a keen interest in social issues related to farming, particularly workforce retention and the societal connection to food production. She trained in Nature Conservation and Animation with NPWS and has worked on the FarmPEAT Project, as well as serving as the Donegal Development Officer for Clean Coasts, An Taisce. Recently, Alena completed a postgraduate diploma in Agroforestry and Landscape Biodiversity at SETU.
alena.kunkel@breedingwaders.ie

Project officer/Lough ree,shannon callows,East

Annie Birtwistle is a skilled ecologist specialising in ornithology, with extensive experience working with breeding waders. Raised in a farming community, Annie combines her ecology career with active farming. She is deeply passionate about promoting nature-friendly farming practices and advocating for farmers, ensuring they have a positive voice in the field of conservation.
annie.birtwistle@breedingwaders.ie

Project officer/Lough ree,shannon callows, East

Laura McEntegart holds a degree in Botany and Plant Science from the National University of Ireland. Years of experience in ecological consultancy, specializing in bat surveys. Growing up near the Shannon Callows, Laura developed a deep passion for farming, nature, and community-focused biodiversity education. She has practical experience with Callow farming systems and understands the challenges they face. Laura is eager to work alongside farmers and local communities to enhance breeding wader habitats and improve biodiversity.
laura.mcentegart@breedingwaders.ie

Project Officer/Curlew WAZ

Kyle Sweeney, a native of the Dartry Mountains, was inspired by his natural surroundings to pursue a degree in biology, which eventually led him to specialize in ecology. He has gained valuable experience working with farmers to support breeding wader recovery through the Curlew Conservation Programme and the Breeding Curlew EIP. As the Wader Project Officer, Kyle collaborates with stakeholders to implement conservation strategies and promote sustainable land management practices for waders. He has a deep interest in cultural heritage, particularly in the significant role that waders, especially the Curlew, play in it.
kyle.sweeney@breedingwaders.ie

GIS Technician

Elena Bucura has a background in engineering and the outdoors. She is a Qualified ML (IRL & UK), an Accredited LNTI Trainer, and a 2024 graduate of the ‘Nature Conservation and Interpretation’ course offered by LNTI, NPWS, and MTU.

She is currently working towards certification as a Mountain Skills CP and Bird Ringer (BTO). She enjoys hiking and volunteers in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat restoration.
Elena updates maps, delivers GIS training, and assists with ecological surveys and data collection.

Nest protection officer

Jimmy Kneale has extensive experience in nest protection and is deeply passionate about conservation. With a strong working knowledge of wildlife and habitats, he has dedicated much of his life to farming in an environmentally sustainable way. He has restored his own farm and the surrounding lakeshore into a sanctuary for nesting birds and wildlife. In addition to his conservation work, Jimmy is skilled in clay pigeon shooting and falconry, and he proudly holds a World Championship Silver Medal for Ireland in Skeet Shooting.
jimmy.kneale@breedingwaders.ie

Land Management Operative

Pat McCallon brings a wealth of knowledge in lake and navigation. With extensive experience as a machinery operator, he excels in scrub clearance, creating wader scrubs, and construction projects. Pat is passionate about conservation and an avid angler. He feels most at home on a boat, especially while working on the islands of Lough Ree. Pat will be putting all his skills to work for the project and will also undertake nest protection and surveying duties.

Administration/financial controller

Mary Keyes Cornally has successfully managed multiple European projects. This involves ensuring that these projects remain on schedule and within budget, while also acting as a vital communication link between project partners, stakeholders, and funding agencies. A key aspect of her role is to develop detailed project plans and timelines. Mary brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to her Breeding Waders EIP role.
mary.keyes@breedingwaders.ie

administration/financial controller

Maria Pettit provides administrative, budget management and assistance support to the Breeding Waders EIP team, thus ensuring that internal operations remain efficient and satisfactory. She ensures her role focuses on the supporting of all staff, as well as programme teams to drive the organisation’s membership, support networks, and enhance programmes for the entire organisation. This includes ICT services, Risk management, Compliance, legal matters, and logistical support for IRL. Maria has previously worked in this role with the National Rural Network and the CAP Network.
maria.petitt@breedingwaders.ie

GIS Technician

Emma Roberts is a proud Clare woman with a PhD in Zoology from the University of Galway, where she specialised in urban red squirrel ecology and applied GIS. Her path took her east, from Galway to Rockabill Island as a tern warden, then on to Hanoi, where she managed wildlife crime cases with Education for Nature Vietnam. She later returned to Ireland for another seabird monitoring position on the East Coast, before finally making her way back to Clare. Emma joined the Breeding Waders EIP team as a GIS technician, supporting wader conservation through mapping and geospatial analysis.

emma.roberts@breedingwaders.ie

Project Officer/West

Dana Kneale’s career is firmly rooted in conservation. Growing up along the shores of Lough Gara, she was immersed in a landscape rich in biodiversity, particularly ground-nesting wader birds, which inspired her lifelong commitment to protecting Ireland’s wildlife.
Dana began her professional journey with the Breeding Waders EIP as a Seasonal Nest Protection Officer. Her dedication and expertise quickly led to her promotion to Project Officer, where she now oversees conservation efforts within the West Wader Action Zone.

dana.kneale@breedingwaders.ie

Post doctoral Researcher

Dr John A. Byrne is a seasoned conservation ecologist with a strong background in habitat restoration, avian predator-prey dynamics, and conservation genetics. Over the past two decades, he has led and contributed to numerous conservation and research initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Before transitioning into ecology, John served with distinction in An Garda Síochána, where he held roles as Detective, Crime Scene Investigator, and Head of the National Forensic Coordination Office. In 2017, he returned to academia, earning both an MSc and PhD from the School of Biology and Environmental Science at University College Dublin.

John joined the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Atlantic Technological University Galway in October 2025. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Breeding Waders European Innovation Partnership (EIP), where he continues to apply his expertise to support conservation efforts across Europe.

johna.byrne@atu.ie

Mink Detection Dog

Lorg is a three-year-old Labrador Retriever, and he’s a very special member of our team. His owner is none other than Owen Murphy, our Senior Project Manager at the Breeding Wader EIP. Lorg holds the unique distinction of being Ireland’s only mink-detection dog.
Lorg’s job is crucial in protecting the habitats of our breeding wader birds. He investigates areas to determine if mink are present. If mink are detected, traps are set to remove them from the area, ensuring a safe and secure environment for our vulnerable birds. If mink are not detected, no traps are needed, which helps make the use of our traps much more efficient.
Breeding Waders
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