Staff
Pádraig Mac Criostail B.Sc
Director
Pádraig Mac Criostail was appointed Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge in August 2007. Before his appointment with An Chomhdháil he spent two years working as registrar with the High Court. He was working as a civil servant from 1995 onwards and he spent a period working in the National Museum of Ireland, Dúchas the Heritage Service, in the information office of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, and in the Irish language policy section of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. He has a Science degree from University College Dublin, a Diploma in Legal Studies from the Dublin Institute of Technology and a certificate in bilingual practice from Dublin City University.
Kevin De Barra B.Comm, MBS, MA, MMII
Secretary of An Chomhdháil & Marketing and Communications Manager
Kevin De Barra is from An Spidéal, Conamara, Co. Galway. He attended NUI Galway where he achieved a degree in Commerce, a Master of Business Studies Degree in Marketing, a diploma in Irish and a diploma in Translation Studies. Kevin was recently awarded an MA in Applied Irish by Dublin Institute of Technology. Before taking up his post with An Chomhdháil, Kevin worked with the international company QTEK Manufacturing Ltd. as International Marketing Manager.
As the Marketing and Communications Manager of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Mr. De Barra is responsible for the marketing of the organisation, the sector and the work of the member organisations of An Chomhdháil. Mr. De Barra also co-ordinates the publicity of the work of An Chomhdháil and the voluntary Irish language sector in the media.
Peig Uí Dhuibhir
Administration and Personnel Executive
Peig Uí Dhuibhir is from An Spidéal, Cois Fharraige, Conamara, Co. Galway. She is married with three children. She spent some years working with the insurance company New Ireland Assurance and Life Association of Scotland as an Insurance Officer dealing with the public and she has been working with Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge ever since.
Máire Ní Phuirséil
Clerical Officer
Máire Ní Phuireil was born and raised in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Máire has worked with An Chomhdháil for over ten years.
Brígíd Ní Ghríofa
Corporate Development Executive
Brígíd Ní Ghríofa is from Ceantar na nOileán in Conamara, Co. Galway. She attended the Dublin Institute of Technology where she achieved a diploma in Management. In 2010 Brígíd graduated from NUI Maynooth with a Diploma in Irish.
Prior to working with Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Brígíd worked in the aviation industry. As Corporate Development Officer with Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Brígíd is responsible for the organising of seminars, conferences and other various events as well as cooperating with staff from Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge member organisations.
Niamh Ní Shuilleabháin BCL MA
Projects Executive
Niamh Ní Shúilleabháin is from Freemount in north west county Cork. Niamh edits and manages the information services provided by Gaelport.com and Cogar.ie including the e-zines Eolas and Cogar and Gaelport.com's news feeds. She is also responsible for digital strategy and manages and monitors the online presence of Gaelport.com on social networks such as Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.
Niamh is also responsible for monitoring the affairs of the Houses of the Oireachtas and any legislation that might have an impact on the Irish language. She was recently awarded an MA in Applied Irish from Dublin Instititute of Technology as well as a Diploma in Digital Marketing in 2011.
Ferdia Ó Mongáin Bsc, MA
Legislative and Planning Executive
Mr. Ó Mongáin is from Dumha Thuama which is located in the Gaeltacht Iorrais area of Co. Mayo. He is a graduate of Dublin City University, where he achieved an honours B.Sc. in Enterprise with Computers and Applied Irish as well as a Masters Degree in Bilingual Practice. Before joining Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Ferdia worked with Franklin Templeton International Services in Luxemburg.
Ferdia works as Legislative and Planning executive with An Chomhdháil. The role includes the monitoring of the implementation of legislation for the benefit of Irish, with special references to the Official Languages Act 2003. The role also includes a lobbying system regarding the work of An Chomhdháil and the importance of the development and practice of Irish.