Reflecting on 6 Years as Chair of Irish Hospice Foundation

As I step down after 6 years as Chair of Irish Hospice Foundation I am reflecting on that old line “A lot done, a lot more to do!”. Thanks to the work and partnership of many parties in the dying death and bereavement ecosystem more and more people are getting access to the supports they need to have a dignified and pain free death … and yet we don’t get it right all the time - every death maters, and we have only one chance to get it right - so the work continues.

My thanks to the amazing team of people who work in IHF and turn up to work every day with an open heart. To Paula O'Reilly / Whelan for leading this team magnificently ( I couldn’t have been more delighted that last week IHF won the Workplace Wellbeing award at the FBD Insurance Newstalk Changemaker Business Awards 2026).

A heartfelt thank you to my  fabulous, passionate and committed Board colleagues who were a joy to work with. I would particularly like to pay tribute to the directors who are joining me in standing down from the board Maeve O'Reilly, Professor Gina Quin C.Dir., MBA, MSc, BA . Quinn and Tony Holohan.

I am delighted that I will be succeeded as Chair by Leo Kearns FBEI who comes with massive experience and has been a joy to work with during our three month handover period.

Today I join the advisory board of African Palliative Care Association, which will allow me to bring all I have learnt to increasing access to palliative care in Africa– a cause that is dear to my heart.

As the Irish Hospice Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary I wish it, and all who support it all the best. May the next 40 years deliver as much and more as the last 40 years.