Our team
Meet the team behind Children's Books Ireland
Elaina Ryan, CEO
Elaina Ryan has a background in children's publishing: she holds an MLitt in Publishing from University of Stirling and is former Managing Editor of Little Island books, where she worked closely with Ireland's inaugural Laureate na nÓg, Siobhán Parkinson. She is co-Artistic Director, with Niamh Sharkey, of Towers and Tales, the Lismore Story Festival in County Waterford. Elaina Ryan joined Children's Books Ireland in 2013.
Email: elaina@childrensbooksireland.ie
Jenny Murray, Deputy CEO
Jenny Murray, originally from Co. Sligo, holds a BA arts degree and a HDip in arts administration both from National University Ireland, Galway. She has worked in the arts for over twenty years, and has worked in Children's Books Ireland in various capacities since 2004. She is currently the Deputy CEO of the organisation.
Projects: Print publications including Inis Magazine, themed reading lists and recommended reading guides
Email: jenny@childrensbooksireland.ie
Aoife Murray, Programme and Events Manager
Aoife Murray holds an MPhil in Popular Literature from Trinity College. She has worked at Children's Books Ireland since 2012, working in public relations previously. Aoife lives in Dublin with her husband and son. She is currently Programme and Events Manager at the organisation.
Projects: Book Clinics, Children's Books Ireland International Conference, Events for All, #Properbook and Tyrone Guthrie Residencies
Email: aoife@childrensbooksireland.ie
Ciara Houlihan, Administrator and Office Manager
A native of County Meath, Ciara has worked with Children's Books Ireland in various roles since 2014. She holds a BA arts degree in Visual Communications from Dublin Institute of Technology and an MA in Children's Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University. Ciara currently holds the role of Administrator and Office Manager.
Projects: Administration and accounts, memberships, website
Email: ciara@childrensbooksireland.ie
Aingeala Flannery, Project Manager Laureate na nÓg
Aingeala worked for many years as a broadcast and print journalist. She holds a BA (NUIM), a Masters in Journalism (DCU), and an MFA in Creative Writing (UCD). Her love of reading and a belief that all children should have equal access to books led her to change career. She has been working with Children's Books Ireland since January 2017.
Projects: Laureate na nÓg project
Email: info@childrenslaureate.ie
Daiden O’Regan, Children and Young People's Projects Manager
Daiden O'Regan is from Galway. She holds a BA from National University of Ireland, Galway and an MSc in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University, working for Scottish publisher Black & White Publishing after graduation. She returned to Ireland to join Children's Books Ireland in 2018.
Projects: Book gifting projects including Every Child A Reader, Bookbag, Book Seed, corporate schools book gifting projects & The Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries
Email: daiden@childrensbooksireland.ie
Julie Jones, Marketing and Development Manager
Julie Jones is from Dublin and holds an BSc in Marketing, BA in English and Sociology and PRII Diploma in PR. Julie has worked in marketing and public relations for over 25 years in the areas of financial services, FMCG, professional services and not-for-profit organisations. Julie is the Marketing and Development Manager for Children's Books Ireland.
Julianne Siron, Awards Administrator
Julianne has worked within the arts for over ten years. She has been the Programme Director for the Dublin Book Festival since 2010, curating adult, schools and children's events. She worked as Reader-in-Residence for Dublin City Libraries since 2014, working in DEIS schools to spread the joy of reading. Julianne joined the team in 2020 as the Awards Administrator.
Projects: The KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards
Email: awards@childrensbooksireland.ie
Emily Daly, Administrative Assistant
Emily Daly holds an MPhil in Children's Literature from Trinity College Dublin, and is currently undertaking an MSc in Information and Library Management at Dublin Business School. She worked previously in youth education, and has worked with Children's Books Ireland since 2015 on various projects including Book Clinics, Reading Guides, Resource Packs, and Conference. She currently assists with the organisation's school libraries and book-gifting projects, while also remaining a devoted Book Doctor.
Projects: Book gifting projects including Every Child A Reader, Bookbag, Book Seed, corporate schools book gifting projects & The Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries
Email: emily@childrensbooksireland.ie
Claire Hourihane, Communications Officer
Cork native Claire Hourihane joined the team in July, 2021. Claire holds a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin, a postgraduate diploma in Journalism & Media Studies from Dublin Business School and has a background in fundraising and digital marketing. Claire works as the Communications Officer for the organisation.
Email: claire@childrensbooksireland.ie
Marianne O’Kane Boal, Research Officer
Marianne is a curator and writer on art and architecture since 1998. She writes for the Irish Arts Review, Circa, Perspective, Living Design, Visual Artists Newsletter and Architecture Ireland. Marianne holds a B.A. in History of Art and English and an M.A. in American Literature from University College Dublin. She is currently completing a PhD in Social Research at IT Sligo. Marianne joined the team in August 2021.
Email: research@childrensbooksireland.ie
