Nua na Mara Manager announced at the Mná na Mara (Women of the Sea) Conference, which was opened by the Minister for Marine, Timmy Dooley T.D.

Údarás na Gaeltachta is pleased to announce the appointment of Máire Ní Éinniú as Manager of Nua na Mara, the new marine enterprise subsidiary. This appointment, along with a Project Coordinator position to be announced later, is a significant step in strengthening the organisation’s capacity in marine sector development.

Nua na Mara will provide research, development and innovation space to support companies undertaking research in the marine sector. Located at the existing University of Galway laboratory site in Muighnís, Cárna, researchers and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to use the facilities to establish new projects in the marine sector, which will stimulate the sector in the Gaeltacht, in the region and nationally.

Máire brings over 15 years of experience in marine development, financial management, and strategic project delivery. Since joining  with Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2017, she has been instrumental in developing strategic marine initiatives.

Máire holds comprehensive professional and academic qualifications, including certification as a Chartered Tax Advisor and ACCA qualification as a Chartered Accountant. She earned a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from the University of Galway, where her research focused on marine economics and coastal community development. She also holds a Master’s in Accounting. Máire is the Údarás representative on the Project Approval Board of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, overseeing grant applications across various schemes including Processing, Business Development, and Aquaculture initiatives.

“I am honoured to lead Nua na Mara in developing sustainable marine enterprises across our Gaeltacht regions,” said Máire, who is a native Irish speaker from the Galway Gaeltacht.

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: “Máire’s expertise and experience, along with her deep understanding of the marine sector and the needs of Gaeltacht communities, will greatly contribute to the development of this sector in the years ahead.”