Drive your Innovation through Representation, Collaboration, Learning and Networking.

IRDG helps members create, shape and adapt to the future.

Our members are knowledge creators, change makers and revenue generators, ranging from small indigenous enterprises to Irelands largest Multinationals.

We are 100% focused supporting our 300+ member companies to accelerate their return on innovation. Our mission is to foster a culture of innovation and drive sustainable value for members leading to growth, jobs and prosperity. We do this through Representation, Training, Networking and Direct Support.

Founded in 1992, we are the only independent, business-led innovation network in Ireland totally dedicated to industry research, development and innovation. We are uniquely placed to help businesses develop the right capabilities and access the right supports for innovation success.

Our Executive Team

The IRDG team is highly experienced in all aspects of industry research, development and innovation, and spends many hours guiding and advising members on their individual needs.

Dermot CaseyChief Executive Officer

Dermot became CEO in January 2022.

Over his career he’s ranged from investing and supporting deep technology companies in NDRC, as COO growing Storyful from 2 to 35 staff and over a decade in technical and management roles in GE. Dermot has been an adjunct lecturer at the UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and is a Director of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and was a Director of the Festival of Curiosity.

Mary ByrneDirector of Member Success

Mary joined IRDG in November 2011, and has responsibility for Membership Development and Communications within the Group.

Throughout Mary’s career she has championed the role of people, learning and communications within business, engaging people in development programmes, introducing innovative communications media, and organising and hosting events and conferences to support people share experiences and learning.

Phone: 087-6501215

Bernadette McGahonDirector of Innovation Services

Bernie joined IRDG in January 2017 to provide the IRDG membership with an expert resource and service in relation to innovation and incentives support.

Bernie has over 20 years’ experience in the area of research and innovation spanning academic, industry and public sectors. She has been involved in international research and innovation roles with InterTradeIreland.

Bernie is a member of the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council

Phone: 083-8213177

Julia Le MaitreInnovation Services & Sustainability Manager

Julia le Maitre has joined IRDG to work with our members across sustainability and innovation services.

Before joining IRDG, Julia worked in sustainability and energy policy, including the design of low carbon technology incentives. She has led consultancy, public sector and research projects with organisations such as SEAI, ENTSO E, EirGrid and Horizon Europe consortia. Julia is looking forward to working with you and hearing your perspective on the hurdles and opportunities along your innovation journey.

Phone: 087-0542583

Josh BlakeNetwork Manager - IRDG Innovation Skillnet

Josh joined IRDG in July 2023 to run the IRDG Innovation Skillnet a partnership with Skillnet Ireland. Josh was previously Vice President and Director at the Olive Group a Global Ed Tech Company for three years. Prior to Olive he was responsible for Education and Training at the IITD Trainers Learning Skillnet for Seven Years. Josh has a background in hospitality over a number of years and managed hotels, pubs and restaurants before moving into Training and Learning.

Lorraine O’FarrellExecutive Assistant

Lorraine joined IRDG in 2005 as Executive Assistant. In this role, Lorraine supports IRDG through coordinating events and conferences, performs market research to support IRDG growth, supporting members with queries and correspondence, managing of IRDG social media activity, and general administrative duties to assist the Executive Team.

Prior to joining IRDG, Lorraine held similar roles with Statoil HQ, AIB, Bank of Ireland and AIG.

Phone: (01) 234 2401