Carlow College, St. Patrick’s is committed to developing and maintaining a governance and organisational structure that is effective, flexible, sustainable, transparent and viable. This commitment is outlined in the College’s Strategic Plan 2013 – 2028 whereby the following goals, in relation to governance and organisational structure, are prioritised: reviewing and monitoring on a continuous basis the effectiveness of organisational structures and processes within the College; outlining and revising key areas of accountability, roles and line management functions; continuing the development of a robust quality assurance system to inform and support governance and organisational structures; and ensuring that strategic targets set for the College have built-in mechanisms for monitoring their effectiveness.
The governance of Carlow College is managed by the Governing Body in accordance with the Instrument of Governance. Their role is, in an overall capacity, to provide strategic guidance and to monitor the activities and effectiveness of the management of Carlow College; additionally, the Governing Body also has a statutory requirement to ensure that the charitable mission of the College is safeguarded and carried out in accordance with the Charities Act 2009.
The Governing Body constructively supports the President and the two decision-making bodies within the College, the Management Board and Academic Council. Both the Management Board and the Academic Council have reporting committees that have defined responsibilities which are published in their terms of references.
Carlow College, St. Patrick’s complies with the Charities Governance Code and the Charities SORP: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102).
| GOVERNORS | |
| Bishop Denis Nulty | Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Chairperson of the Governing Body and Property Trustees |
| Cáitlín Mhic Cárthaigh | Former Príomhoide, Gaelcholáiste, Ceatharlach, Vice Chairperson |
| Msgr John Byrne PP | Parish Priest of Portlaoise Parish, Co Laois and VG of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin |
| Mr Peter Carey | Former Chief Executive of Kildare County Council |
| Mr Pat Deering | Former TD for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency |
| Ms Rachel Doyle | Founder and MD of Arboretum Home and Garden Centres |
| Mr Colin Duggan | General Manager at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel |
| Fr John Dunphy | Parish Priest of Graiguecullen / Killeshin Parish, Co Laois |
| Mr Michael Kelly | Former CEO, Carlow County Enterprise Board |
| Ms Helen Maher | Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Galway |
| Mr Michael Moriarty | Former General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland and former President of the European Federation of Education Employers |
| Ms Bernie O’Brien | Former Director of Services, Carlow County Council |
| Ms Bernadette Ward | Former Human Resources Director with Procter and Gamble |
| RIGHT OF ATTENDANCE | |
| Alison Whelehan | Students’ Union President 2025-2026 Academic Year |
| Mr Brian Barry | Director of Strategy & Operations |
| Dr Eric Derr | College Vice President |
| Dr Lisa Fortune | Director of Student Services and Supports |
Ms Helen Whelan | Administrator (Professional and Support Staff Representative) from 20/1/2025 |
| Msgr John McEvoy | College Vice President and Parish Priest of Rathvilly Parish |
| Dr Margaret Murphy | Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar |
| Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh | College President |
| Dr Derek Coyle | College Lecturer (Academic Staff Representative) |
Annual Reports
Annual Report of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s for 2022 in accordance with Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014
Each public body is required under Section 22 of the Act to publish an annual report setting out the number of Protected Disclosures received in the preceding year and the action taken (if any). This report must not result in persons making disclosures being identifiable.
This report covers the period 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022.
No Protected Disclosures were made to Carlow College, St. Patrick’s in the period covered by this report.
Organisational Chart
Quality System Structure
