New Appointments at Údarás na Gaeltachta: Ruairí Ó hAilín and Sadhbh Ní Ógáin

Ruairí Ó hAilín – Head of Enterprise and Innovation 

Údarás na Gaeltachta is pleased to announce that Ruairí Ó hAilín has been appointed as Head of the department of Enterprise and Innovation in the organisation.  

Ruairí joins us from Enterprise Ireland, where he managed a team working with client-companies to improve their operations – with an emphasis on digital technology as well as process innovation and staff training. Prior to that, he worked in the information and communications technology sector.  

Before that, he spent twelve years working as an engineer in various international companies across Europe and America.  

Enterprise Ireland awarded him its Innovation Award in 2023, 2024 and again in 2025. 

Ruairí also has a strong personal connection to the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. He served as Chairperson of the Board of Management of Gaelscoil na Lochanna for eight years.  

Ruairí Ó hAilín, Head of Enterprise & Innovation: 

“I am very much looking forward to this challenge, to bring my national-level experience with Enterprise Ireland to add to the economic development and the prosperity of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht” 

Sadhbh Ní Ógáin – Strategic Affairs Manager 

Sadhbh Ní Ógáin has been appointed as Strategic Affairs Manager. She holds an MSc in Business and Knowledge Technology from Dublin City University (DCU), and has accumulated extensive experience over the years in strategic planning, corporate governance, organisational development, and stakeholder engagement. 

She spent more than 13 years working with Foras na Gaeilge, where she led major strategic processes, including the Strategic Direction 2020-2025 and the Corporate Plan 2023-2025. Following that, she worked as an independent consultant with organisations in the Irish-language sector, the public sector, and community groups on strategy, governance, and business development projects. 

She also served as Irish Language Development Officer with Offaly County Council. A native of County Wicklow, she is the daughter of Dáithí Ó hÓgáin, Professor of Folklore and renowned writer, who passed away in 2011. 

Sadhbh Ní Ógáin, Strategic Affairs Manager: 

“I am very much looking forward to this role. Drawing on my experience in strategic planning and governance, I am committed to supporting the mission of Údarás na Gaeltachta on behalf of Gaeltacht communities and the Irish language.” 

Tomás Ó Síochán, CEO, Údarás na Gaeltachta:   

“We are very pleased to welcome Ruairí and Sadhbh to the Údarás team. Both bring exceptional expertise in their respective fields – Ruairí in enterprise and innovation development, and Sadhbh in strategic planning and governance. These two appointments will greatly strengthen our capacity to fulfil our mission on behalf of Gaeltacht communities.”