Ár bhFoireann
Seo hiad foireann Leabhair Pháistí Éireann.
Elaina Ryan, CEO
Elaina grew up in Wexford and Waterford. She holds a BA in Languages and Cultural Studies from University of Limerick and an MLitt in Publishing from University of Stirling. She has a background in children’s book publishing and is co-Artistic Director, with Niamh Sharkey, of Towers and Tales Children’s Book Festival in Lismore, County Waterford. Elaina has led the team in Children’s Books Ireland since 2013.
Jenny Murray, Deputy CEO
Jenny is from Sligo, and holds a BA in English, Sociology & Politics and a HDip in Arts Administration both from National University Ireland, Galway. Jenny has worked in the arts for over twenty years, and joined the team in 2004.
Emma Larkin, Financial Controller
Emma is from Cork originally and has lived in Kerry since 2006. Emma is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. She has a BCL (Hons) degree and a Higher Diploma in Business and Financial Information Systems from University College Cork. Emma is also a children’s book writer, and joined the team in June 2022.
Sarah Walsh, Administrator & Office Manager
Sarah hails from County Mayo and holds a BA in Music and Sociology, and a BMus from University College Dublin. She also holds an MA in Music and Management from the University of Leeds. Sarah has worked in various fields of arts management since graduating, and joined the team in June 2022.
Emma Carville, Communications Manager
Emma is from County Down and lives in Dublin. She holds a BA in English from Liverpool John Moores University and a Professional Diploma in PR and Marketing from University College Dublin. Emma has a background centred in writing, communications and digital marketing. She joined the team in March 2024.
Áine O'Mahony, Development Manager
Áine is from Dublin and holds an MA in Business and Economics from Trinity College Dublin and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute. Áine has a background in business development, sponsorship, and event management in the arts and business and joined the team in September 2023.
Emma Walsh, Development Manager
Emma holds a BA in English Literature & Philosophy and a MA in American Literature from University College Dublin, and a Diploma in Advertising from Technological University Dublin. She has a background in publishing and the book industry, and first worked with Children’s Books Ireland in 2003 when she ran the Children’s Book Festival. Emma joined the team again in September 2023.
Aoife Murray, Artist & Programme Manager
Aoife is from Co Louth and lives in Dublin. She holds an MPhil in Popular Literature from Trinity College Dublin and worked in public relations before joining Children’s Books Ireland in 2011.
Ruth Concannon, Publications Manager
Originally from Galway, Ruth holds a BA in English and History, an MA in Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama from University College Dublin and completed her MA in Children’s and Young Adult Literature at Dublin City University in 2019. Ruth has held roles in many areas of literature, publishing, and culture. Having previously worked as one of Children’s Books Ireland’s Book Doctors, Ruth joined the team permanently in April 2023.
Aoife McDonnell, Book-gifting Manager
Aoife is from County Kildare. She holds a BA in English, Media & Cultural Studies from Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology and a Higher Diploma in Public Relations from the Irish Academy of Public Relations. She has a background in charity retail, project management, event management and in the book trade as a book buyer and bookseller. Aoife joined the team in April 2023
Ruth Ní Eidhin, Project Manager Laureate na nÓg
Ruth is from Dublin and holds a BA in English Literature & History from Trinity College Dublin, a Graduate Diploma in Information Technology from Dublin City University, and a Higher Diploma in Journalism & Communications from Griffith College, Dublin. She has a background in not-for-profit communications. Ruth joined the team in January 2022.
Becky Long, Education & Advocacy Manager
Becky holds a BA in English Studies, an MPhil in Children’s Literature, and a Doctorate in Irish Children’s Literature from Trinity College Dublin. She has worked with Children’s Books Ireland in various capacities, including as a Book Doctor, since 2016, and has a background in youth facilitation and outreach work. She also lectures in children’s literature in Trinity College Dublin. Becky joined the team in September 2023.
Dr. Marianne O’Kane Boal, Research & Evaluation Officer
Marianne holds a BA in History of Art and English and an MA in American Literature from University College Dublin. She has a PhD in Social Research from Atlantic Technological University Sligo. 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 joined the team in August 2021.
Melissa Campana, Artist & Programme Officer
Melissa grew up in the U.S. and holds BA in Spanish and Portuguese from the University of Arizona. She has a background in journalism and communications, and is currently pursuing an MA in Creative Writing from Dublin City University. Melissa joined the team in January 2026.
Dan Conroy, Social Media Officer
Dan is from Dublin and holds a BA in Visual Communication from National College of Art and Design. He has a long-standing interest in children’s literature with a background in illustration. Dan joined the team in May 2023.
April Suddendorf, Book-gifting Assistant
April grew up in the Netherlands and Germany. She holds an undergraduate degree in Media Design and Communication from the University of Applied Sciences Wismar and completed her MA in Children’s and Young Adult Literature at Dublin City University in 2024. She is a published children’s illustrator and writer with a lifelong passion for visual storytelling and reading. She joined the team in April 2025.
