Irish Lights has appointed five new members to its Board, bringing experience across shipping, offshore renewable energy, public administration, governance, finance and regulatory affairs.

The new Board members are Aideen McGinley OBE, Dave Ronayne, Gary Connolly, Louise O'Byrne and Vincent Teo.

Irish Lights Chairperson Adam Grennan said the appointments would strengthen the organisation as it continues to provide navigation and maritime services in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“I am delighted to welcome Aideen, Dave, Gary, Louise and Vincent to the Board of Irish Lights,” Grennan said.

“Collectively they bring a wealth of experience and expertise across a wide range of sectors that are highly relevant to the work of Irish Lights.

“Their leadership, governance and professional experience will strengthen the Board and support Irish Lights as it continues to deliver on its mission of safe navigation at sea.”

Shipping and Offshore Wind Experience

Dave Ronayne is a chartered accountant and Group Chief Executive of Irish Mainport Holdings Limited, a ship-owning company with interests in stevedoring, ship agency, freight forwarding and warehousing.

His board experience includes the Irish Chamber of Shipping, IBEC Cork Regional Council, Cork Harbour Commissioners and Cork Simon.

Gary Connolly is a Chartered Engineer and Head of Offshore Wind Development within ESB's Generation and Trading business, responsible for the development and delivery of a portfolio of offshore wind projects across Great Britain.

Before moving into offshore wind in 2018, Connolly led the development of onshore wind projects across Ireland and the UK for ESB. He is also a coastal cruising sailor and spends much of his sailing time off Ireland's north coast and the west coast of Scotland.

Public Administration and Governance

Aideen McGinley OBE has held senior positions across local and central government in Northern Ireland and was the first female Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

She led the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure from 1999 to 2006 and the Department for Employment and Learning from 2006 to 2009.

McGinley was involved in establishing three cross-border bodies, including Waterways Ireland. Her previous governance roles include BBC Trustee for Northern Ireland and trustee positions with the National Trust and Carnegie UK Trust.

Louise O'Byrne is a solicitor and Partner at Arthur Cox LLP, where she is Head of the Commercial Department, with a particular focus on employment law.

She has advised State and semi-State organisations on governance, accountability and regulatory matters, including compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

Finance and Audit Expertise

Vincent Teo is a Partner at Crowleys DFK, where he leads the firm's Public Sector and Government Services Department.

A Fellow Chartered Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, Teo has experience providing internal audit, public-sector accounting, statutory audit and risk advisory services to Government departments, State and semi-State agencies and regulators.

He was appointed to the Audit Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in 2025 and has served as a Council member of Gaisce since 2021.