The Changemakers
A tribute to our Irish diaspora living and working abroad
St Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to connect with the more than 70 million people around the world of Irish descent and to celebrate the impact that the Irish diaspora has had in the cultural, social and economic development of Ireland and the communities where they have settled overseas.
Our diaspora is a community of communities, from GAA clubs to pop-up Gaeltachts, cultural centres, chambers of commerce, and many other ‘homes from home’, creating support networks for challenging times and opportunities for future generations.
Making waves around the world
Over the years, Irish people have taken on leadership roles in the arts, in the world of business, in community and social work, and in humanitarian efforts around the world. They are astronauts and Olympians, musicians, multilinguists and missionaries. Their contributions have been both diverse and profound, leaving an indelible mark on communities worldwide.
This St Patrick’s Day, we are honouring our Irish diaspora living and working abroad and their commitment to fostering international collaboration, supporting vulnerable communities and pioneering change across the globe.
Dr Tom Flaherty
National Team Triathlete Guide for Blind
Located in: United States
Dr Tom Flaherty is the National Team Triathlete Guide for the Blind for Team USA, based in Miami. Alongside his career in athletics, he is also the Medical Director of BioDigital, the creators of the first interactive, 3D body platform that virtually maps the human body. Previously, he was a Medical Doctor for the Dr Oz Show, winning two EMMY Awards for producing the show.
Dr Tom Flaherty
National Team Triathlete Guide for Blind
Located in: United States
Dr Tom Flaherty is the National Team Triathlete Guide for the Blind for Team USA, based in Miami. Alongside his career in athletics, he is also the Medical Director of BioDigital, the creators of the first interactive, 3D body platform that virtually maps the human body. Previously, he was a Medical Doctor for the Dr Oz Show, winning two EMMY Awards for producing the show.
Dr Trish Scanlon
Paediatric Oncologist
Located in: Tanzania
Dr Trish Scanlan is the Director of Their Lives Matter (TLM), a paediatric oncology programme in Tanzania, and also serves as Interim Director of Global Health at Children’s Health Ireland. Providing free cancer care for children, including chemotherapy at 11 sites in Tanzania since 2007, through TLM, she has treated over 6,000 children, improved long-term survival rates to more than 50%, and increased treatments by 600%.
Dr Trish Scanlon
Paediatric Oncologist
Located in: Tanzania
Dr Trish Scanlan is the Director of Their Lives Matter (TLM), a paediatric oncology programme in Tanzania, and also serves as Interim Director of Global Health at Children’s Health Ireland. Providing free cancer care for children, including chemotherapy at 11 sites in Tanzania since 2007, through TLM, she has treated over 6,000 children, improved long-term survival rates to more than 50%, and increased treatments by 600%.
“It’s clear that the Irish, more often than not, fit seamlessly into the work culture abroad. For whatever reason, we’re more flexible than others and maybe this has something to do with our history of emigration. We had to – and have to - adapt. I also think the generally very open and amiable nature of the Irish is a huge strength, and it’s clearly recognised here in Switzerland.”
– Stephen McGonigle, Switzerland
Fr Shay Cullen
Human Rights Campaigner
Located in: The Philippines
Living and working in the Philippines since the 1970s, Fr Shay Cullen founded the PREDA Foundation in 1974 in Olongapo City. PREDA works to protect and assist sexually exploited and abused children in the Philippines and has been actively involved in helping victims of human trafficking and the sex slave trade. Fr Shay has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on two separate occasions.
Fr Shay Cullen
Human Rights Campaigner
Located in: The Philippines
Living and working in the Philippines since the 1970s, Fr Shay Cullen founded the PREDA Foundation in 1974 in Olongapo City. PREDA works to protect and assist sexually exploited and abused children in the Philippines and has been actively involved in helping victims of human trafficking and the sex slave trade. Fr Shay has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on two separate occasions.
Corporal Fintant Cultra and Private Keenan Barrett
Defence Forces
Located in: Lebanon
Corporal Fintant Cultra and Private Keenan Barrett are just two members of the Irish Defence Forces currently deployed as part of UNP 2-45 in Lebanon. Deployed on a peacekeeping mission, they are based in Camp Shamrock.
Corporal Fintant Cultra and Private Keenan Barrett
Defence Forces
Located in: Lebanon
Corporal Fintant Cultra and Private Keenan Barrett are just two members of the Irish Defence Forces currently deployed as part of UNP 2-45 in Lebanon. Deployed on a peacekeeping mission, they are based in Camp Shamrock.
Neil Tobin
Head of Gaza Sub-Office, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Located in: Jordan
Wicklow-born Neil Tobin has been working in the field of human rights with the United Nations for over 17 years. He joined the UN Human Rights Office in Gaza in 2017, which receives support and funding from the Irish government. He and his team work on the ground in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in response to the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights crisis, coordinating the delivery of protection responses of over 100 inter-governmental organisations, national and UN partners.
Neil Tobin
Head of Gaza Sub-Office, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Located in: Jordan
Wicklow-born Neil Tobin has been working in the field of human rights with the United Nations for over 17 years. He joined the UN Human Rights Office in Gaza in 2017, which receives support and funding from the Irish government. He and his team work on the ground in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in response to the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights crisis, coordinating the delivery of protection responses of over 100 inter-governmental organisations, national and UN partners.
“I profoundly believe that sports are essential for us all. They create communities and help us to grow into better people. I think that the Gaelic Games are one of Ireland’s most important creations.”
– Santiago O’Reilly, Argentina
Niamh McNamara and Clementine Leaver
Mine Action Group
Located in: Ukraine
Niamh McNamara and Clementine Leaver work with Mine Action Group, who find and destroy landmines, cluster munitions and unexploded bombs in places affected by conflict. They also work o limit the causes and address the consequences of armed violence in communities. Niamh and Clementine are currently based and working in Ukraine.
Niamh McNamara and Clementine Leaver
Mine Action Group
Located in: Ukraine
Niamh McNamara and Clementine Leaver work with Mine Action Group, who find and destroy landmines, cluster munitions and unexploded bombs in places affected by conflict. They also work o limit the causes and address the consequences of armed violence in communities. Niamh and Clementine are currently based and working in Ukraine.
Orla Hillary
Critical Care Nurse in the NHS and Chairperson of the London LGFA
Located in: Great Britain
Orla Hillary is a Critical Care Nurse in the NHS, caring for the sickest patients in the hospital daily. She is also a Clinical Skills and Simulation Lecturer in a university in London, developing and delivering clinical skills teaching to the next generation of nurses and midwives. A huge supporter of the GAA, Orla is also Chair for London Ladies Gaelic Football Association, pushing for promotion and recognition of the ladies team.
Hear more from Orla >>
Orla Hillary
Critical Care Nurse in the NHS and Chairperson of the London LGFA
Located in: Great Britain
Orla Hillary is a Critical Care Nurse in the NHS, caring for the sickest patients in the hospital daily. She is also a Clinical Skills and Simulation Lecturer in a university in London, developing and delivering clinical skills teaching to the next generation of nurses and midwives. A huge supporter of the GAA, Orla is also Chair for London Ladies Gaelic Football Association, pushing for promotion and recognition of the ladies team.
Hear more from Orla >>
“Irish nurses have really shaped the development and improvement of the national health service. On inception of the NHS, Irish people were actively recruited to train and work as nurses in British hospital. 12% of all nursing staff were Irish. Irish nurses are incredible workers, and you can really see the meticulous care they take looking after their patients.”
– Orla Hillary, Great Britain
Caoimhe Dowling
Fashion designer
Located in: Denmark
Copenhagen-based Irish fashion designer Caoimhe Dowling has a strong focus on sustainable textiles in her designs. Inspired by the natural world, Irish mythology, folklore and landscapes, her work centres on the use of unique textiles through a combination of newly developed artisanal wool and repurposed deadstock materials. She is also pursuing a PhD in Sustainability and is on a knitwear residency in the Faroe Islands.
Hear more from Caoimhe >>
Caoimhe Dowling
Fashion designer
Located in: Denmark
Copenhagen-based Irish fashion designer Caoimhe Dowling has a strong focus on sustainable textiles in her designs. Inspired by the natural world, Irish mythology, folklore and landscapes, her work centres on the use of unique textiles through a combination of newly developed artisanal wool and repurposed deadstock materials. She is also pursuing a PhD in Sustainability and is on a knitwear residency in the Faroe Islands.
Hear more from Caoimhe >>
Eamon Eastwood
Food entrepreneur
Located in: Australia
As Founder and CEO of Taste, Eamon Eastwood leads a multi-channel food distribution company that specialises in bringing iconic and innovative flavours to the Australian market, uniting our cultures. He is also a passionate advocate for youth entrepreneurship, supporting programs that inspire innovation in young minds. He also looks to promote and develop the GAA in Austalia, fostering community and connection through sport.
Hear more from Eamon >>
Eamon Eastwood
Food entrepreneur
Located in: Australia
As Founder and CEO of Taste, Eamon Eastwood leads a multi-channel food distribution company that specialises in bringing iconic and innovative flavours to the Australian market, uniting our cultures. He is also a passionate advocate for youth entrepreneurship, supporting programs that inspire innovation in young minds. He also looks to promote and develop the GAA in Austalia, fostering community and connection through sport.
Hear more from Eamon >>
“Ireland provided many of the missionaries and teachers in Nigeria, and the ensuing effect this has had on the literature of Nigeria can be seen in the work of Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka, as well as in the educational achievements of the many Nigerians who have gone on to study at Irish universities.”
– Aduke Gomez, Nigeria
Aduke Gomez
Writer and Irish-Nigerian Scholar
Located in: Nigeria
Lagos-based writer of Irish, Nigerian and Brazilian heritage, Aduke Gomez’s career has spanned many areas, from legal to the public sector, and banking to creative. Her writing explores the connections between Ireland and Nigeria, with a storytelling focus across film, poetry and children’s books. She is an extremely active member of the Irish diaspora community in Nigeria and was a 2024 Presidential Distinguished Services Award recipient in the Arts, Culture and Sport category.
Hear more from Aduke >>
Aduke Gomez
Writer and Irish-Nigerian Scholar
Located in: Nigeria
Lagos-based writer of Irish, Nigerian and Brazilian heritage, Aduke Gomez’s career has spanned many areas, from legal to the public sector, and banking to creative. Her writing explores the connections between Ireland and Nigeria, with a storytelling focus across film, poetry and children’s books. She is an extremely active member of the Irish diaspora community in Nigeria and was a 2024 Presidential Distinguished Services Award recipient in the Arts, Culture and Sport category.
Hear more from Aduke >>
Sheena McGrandles
Dancer
Located in: Germany
Originally from Northern Ireland, Sheena McGrandles is a dancer and choreographer living in Berlin. She works in various contexts, including theatre/stage, education and independent art and culture projects. Her current group of works explores radical temporality as a means of detailed exploration and exaggeration of movement. Her works create hyper-real, multi-narrative and humorous moving landscapes. Sheena has presented her works nationally and internationally.
Sheena McGrandles
Dancer
Located in: Germany
Originally from Northern Ireland, Sheena McGrandles is a dancer and choreographer living in Berlin. She works in various contexts, including theatre/stage, education and independent art and culture projects. Her current group of works explores radical temporality as a means of detailed exploration and exaggeration of movement. Her works create hyper-real, multi-narrative and humorous moving landscapes. Sheena has presented her works nationally and internationally.
Steven Grattan
Journalist
Located in: Colombia
Steven Grattan is a journalist from Northern Ireland, currently serving as the Amazon Rainforest and Deforestation Correspondent for the Associated Press. Based in Bogotá, Colombia, he co-founded The Bogotá Post, an English-language newspaper, in 2013, and has taught journalism at Universidad del Rosario. Steven has reported extensively on Indigenous issues, deforestation, and general politics across Latin America for outlets including Reuters, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera.
Hear more from Steven >>
Steven Grattan
Journalist
Located in: Colombia
Steven Grattan is a journalist from Northern Ireland, currently serving as the Amazon Rainforest and Deforestation Correspondent for the Associated Press. Based in Bogotá, Colombia, he co-founded The Bogotá Post, an English-language newspaper, in 2013, and has taught journalism at Universidad del Rosario. Steven has reported extensively on Indigenous issues, deforestation, and general politics across Latin America for outlets including Reuters, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera.
Hear more from Steven >>
“The Collison brothers, John and Patrick, have been a huge inspiration in recent years. Their success with Stripe proves that Irish entrepreneurs can compete on a global stage, regardless of location. Ireland’s education system and the tech ecosystem built over the last 30+ years are now creating world-class opportunities.”
– Eamon Eastwood, Australia
Santiago O'Reilly
GAA Player and Coach
Located in: Argentina
Santiago O’Reilly is an Irish-Argentine founding member and coach with the San Isidro Gaelico GAA team, which is part of the Cuenca del Plata League he formed in Argentina, focussed on supporting and promoting Irish culture through sport. He regularly attends the GAA World Games with the club, and makes his own hurls.
Hear more from Santiago >>
Santiago O'Reilly
GAA Player and Coach
Located in: Argentina
Santiago O’Reilly is an Irish-Argentine founding member and coach with the San Isidro Gaelico GAA team, which is part of the Cuenca del Plata League he formed in Argentina, focussed on supporting and promoting Irish culture through sport. He regularly attends the GAA World Games with the club, and makes his own hurls.
Hear more from Santiago >>
Stephen McGonigle
Watchmaker and entrepreneur
Located in: Switzerland
For almost 20 years, Stephen McGonigle has worked in the home of watchmaking, Switzerland, making mechanical watches under his brand, McGonigle Watches and more recently, his younger brand, Magon Watches. His timepieces are made-to-order, taking years to develop and months to assemble, with every component meticulously finished by hand. He originally graduated from the Irish/Swiss Institute of Horology, winning a scholarship to Switzerland.
Hear more from Stephen >>
Stephen McGonigle
Watchmaker and entrepreneur
Located in: Switzerland
For almost 20 years, Stephen McGonigle has worked in the home of watchmaking, Switzerland, making mechanical watches under his brand, McGonigle Watches and more recently, his younger brand, Magon Watches. His timepieces are made-to-order, taking years to develop and months to assemble, with every component meticulously finished by hand. He originally graduated from the Irish/Swiss Institute of Horology, winning a scholarship to Switzerland.
Hear more from Stephen >>
Know an incredible Irish person making an impact abroad?
We recognise that this is but a small sample of the many Irish diaspora who are shaping the societies they live in, and showcasing the best of what it means to be Irish.
As part of an ongoing initiative to celebrate our diaspora all year round, we want to hear about the Irish changemakers making a difference in your communities.