Staff

Megan Burke

Project Co-ordinator
Megan was appointed Project Co-ordinator in January 2024 FRC. She has been involved in Community Development in Westport for over a decade and has a strong educational background in Social Care and Health Promotion.

John Doherty

Development Worker
John lives in Castlebar with his partner Marina and their daughter Mai. He has worked in the FRC in Westport since 2009. John is originally from Tyrone, and growing up with the conflict in the north, this has informed his values around building community, and combatting institutional discrimination. He has worked across a range of community relations projects in the North, and in community and youth projects in the South. John feels that addressing injustice and inequality is core to our work in the FRC, and he is committed to that work.

Linda Mc Nulty

Project Administrator
Linda moved to Westport to work in the FRC in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. She loves helping people and contributing to her community. Her background is in the arts and administration / finance, and she feels at home in the non-profit sector. She has a keen interest in social justice and is chairperson of Westport Educate Together National School. She is originally from Bundoran in Co. Donegal and returns whenever she can. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her young son and photography. She loves old music, old art, old furniture and new plants!

Joanne Keegan

Older People’s Project Worker
Joanne is Project Worker for the olde people’s projects at the Centre. She has worked for 25 years in the music and performance industry; has 15 years’ experience in landscaping and horticulture, as well as previous experience in outdoor education. A local of Westport, living in The Quay close to her parents who she cares for, she has lived in the area most of her adult life. Joanne holds strong family values and likes authenticity and openness and tries to be as close as possible to these in her own daily life. She believes it is important for people to have space to have their voice heard and freedom to speak their truth and be honest. Working with people genuinely focused on the vulnerable in our society gives Joanne restored faith in humankind and she enjoys working to improve life for others.

Cian MacNamee

Project Administrator
Cian is originally from Dublin but has lived in Westport for several years. With a background in volunteering, as well as in Design, IT and Administration, he first began volunteering with Westport FCRC as part of the Older People's IT Project. Creating connections with people of all different backgrounds, ages and cultures is a deeply held value of his. Cian gets great fulfilment by using his skills to find common ground, to instruct and to connect across the terrain of struggle, joy and injustice that forms our shared experience. He is driven by compassion, curiosity, justice and inclusion; with a particular concern for the experience of difference and Neurodivergence in society.

Stephanie MacKinnon

Community Support Worker
Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Stephanie has gratefully called Westport home since 2019. She holds a Masters in Adult Education and Community Development and has over a decade of experience in community development. Across three continents Stephanie has worked with diverse groups and individuals, supporting them to overcome challenges and take action to improve their own lives and communities. Stephanie is passionate about creating welcoming, supportive spaces where people feel empowered and connected.

Jannah Walshe

Adult & Adolescent Counsellor
Jannah is a fully trained, qualified and accredited psychotherapist. She holds a primary degree in psychology and a graduate certificate in person-centred counselling. Shortly after making the move back to Ireland, she completed a postgraduate diploma in psychotherapy in The Tivoli Institute. Jannah has a keen interest in ecopsychology which is based on the idea that people are connected to and impacted by the natural environment. Another particular interest is in the area of personal self-actualisation. This involves supporting people to find and realize their true potential, particularly that which brings them a greater sense of contentment in their lives. Jannah works in a person centred, humanistic way and loves her work with the centre. She is passionate about working in her local community and ensuring counselling and mental health support is available to everyone.

Joanne Gibbons

Play Therapist
Joanne is a qualified Play Therapist, licenced by Play Therapy Ireland and registered with APAC (Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy). She holds an honours degree in Early Years Childhood Education and a higher diploma in Play Therapy accredited by the National University of Ireland, Galway. She spent many years working as an early years educator with young children, and through this work, became interested in the power of play. She trained as a play therapist to help children to work through their problems in a safe environment through play, becoming more self-aware and developing their self esteem.

Annie Doyle

Adolescent Counsellor
Annie is a professionally qualified and fully accredited Psychotherapist (IACP). She has worked as a Psychotherapist and Head of Child Protection in the UK, Singapore, Tokyo, Japan and now Ireland. Annie is proud to be a neuro-affirmative therapist, particularly passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals and destigmatizing Autistic and ADHD lived experience. Through a commitment to expansive training and latest research in this area, Annie supports individuals with early identification, the questioning process and after care following neurodivergent discovery. As an Adolescent Therapist at WFRC, Annie places value on providing a safe space free from judgement, for Adolescents to unpack their worries and to empower them to advocate for their needs, establish their identity and utilise tools to help navigate a turbulent time of change and transition in their life. She is committed to ensuring that therapy is available and inclusive to all.