Our Patron and Trustees

The Foundation is deeply grateful for the on-going support and dedication of all our team members. We are fortunate to be working with some of the most exceptional individuals involved in the world of Irish Dance and Culture who represent all that is special about this world. We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for exceptional young talent through the Marie Duffy Awards, promoting excellence in Irish Dancing.

Our Trustees are primarily responsible for setting, achieving and developing the Foundations objectives. They identify and implement the strategies necessary to achieve the objectives. They set the annual budgets and the scope of the yearly Awards Programme. As an Executive Board, they meet regularly to monitor performance and set future policies.

  • Niamh Flatley

    Patron

    Niamh Flatley has known Marie Duffy for many years. Her first dance steps were taken under Marie’s direction at the age of 3 and continued through to her years as a professional Irish Dancer. During her distinguished dance career Niamh…
    Read More

  • Hilary Joyce-Owens

    Trustee

    Though a native of County Mayo, Hilary spent her early years growing up in Galway. She danced with The Celine Hession School, successfully competing in many competitions throughout her dancing career, including gaining top 5 Solo World medals and World…
    Read More

  • Eben Foggitt

    Trustee

    With a paternal grandmother from Cork, Eben Foggitt has strong links with Ireland and has spent much time there carrying out research for a recent TV documentary on castle ghosts which is to be followed by a series on Irish…
    Read More

  • James McCutcheon

    Trustee

    Although born and bred in Scotland, James has strong Irish connections, his mother was from Mayo and his father from County Down.   He started Irish Dancing at the age of 9 and qualified as a teacher in 1983, an…
    Read More

  • Marie Duffy

    Trustee

    Marie Duffy’s career began at the age of six with dance teacher Maitiu O’Maoileidigh at the world famous Inis Ealga Academy in Dublin. By the age of thirteen she was already creating steps for her dance class. Having successfully passed…
    Read More

  • Mike Pask

    Secretary and Trustee

    Mike was born on the Isle of Wight and was educated in southern England. After graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of London, he worked for a number of multinational petrochemical companies in various roles including…
    Read More