Our National Advisory Council

In This Section

Our Mission, Ethos & Values
Our people
Governance and annual reports
Careers/Vacancies

Our National Advisory Council (NAC) represents the opinions of adults with Down syndrome within our organisation. The Council comprises of adults with Down syndrome from across Ireland. 

Learn more about the NAC here.

This National Advisory Council of Down Syndrome Ireland commenced their term of office in May 2022. 

Meet Our National Advisory Council

Sinéad Friel - NAC Chairperson

Hello, my name is Sinead. I am from Clontarf, Dublin. I am part of the Blue Diamond Theatre Company and I love to act. I like to go to the gym and play basketball but some of my favourite things to do are act, sing and dance. I joined the NCA because my sister is in politics and works for the European Union Brussels in Rwanda and she inspired me to join.  … Read More

Sinéad Friel

NAC Chairperson

Hello, my name is Sinead. I am from Clontarf, Dublin. I am part of the Blue Diamond Theatre Company and I love to act. I like to go to the gym and play basketball but some of my favourite things to do are act, sing and dance. I joined the NCA because my sister is in politics and works for the European Union Brussels in Rwanda and she inspired me to join. 

Claire Murphy - NAC Minute Secretary

Hi, my name is Claire. I live in Kilkenny. I enjoy staying fit with walking, running and being outdoors. I also like digital photography, researching information and listening to music. I enjoy being on the NAC.  … Read More

Claire Murphy

NAC Minute Secretary

Hi, my name is Claire. I live in Kilkenny. I enjoy staying fit with walking, running and being outdoors. I also like digital photography, researching information and listening to music. I enjoy being on the NAC. 

Ross O’Neill - NAC Secretary

I'm Ross, I work at Down Syndrome Ireland as a Junior Administrator.  I enjoy football my favourite team is Man United. I won a silver in bowling at the Special Olympics in 2018. I have good leadership and good experience working at different conferences and I travelled to New York to do a workshop presentation with Stewart's care. It was called my free time. I went to Budapest on a European studies project with Trinity College Dublin to learn about other European countries and the European Parliament in Brussels.   … Read More

Ross O’Neill

NAC Secretary

I'm Ross, I work at Down Syndrome Ireland as a Junior Administrator.  I enjoy football my favourite team is Man United. I won a silver in bowling at the Special Olympics in 2018. I have good leadership and good experience working at different conferences and I travelled to New York to do a workshop presentation with Stewart's care. It was called my free time. I went to Budapest on a European studies project with Trinity College Dublin to learn about other European countries and the European Parliament in Brussels.  

Conor O’Donnell - NAC Treasurer

Hello everyone! My name is Conor O’Donnell. I live with my parents Amanda and Keelan O’Donnell (and my dog Odie) in the Curragh. My ambition is to become an actor. I was in a TV series with Sharon Horgan called Bad Sisters. It was a fascinating experience. I am a big fan of Leinster and Ireland rugby and love going to matches. I play tag rugby with the Cill Dara Foxes and enjoy taking part in the Special Olympics events. I’m also a big fan of Manchester United.  … Read More

Conor O’Donnell

NAC Treasurer

Hello everyone! My name is Conor O’Donnell. I live with my parents Amanda and Keelan O’Donnell (and my dog Odie) in the Curragh. My ambition is to become an actor. I was in a TV series with Sharon Horgan called Bad Sisters. It was a fascinating experience. I am a big fan of Leinster and Ireland rugby and love going to matches. I play tag rugby with the Cill Dara Foxes and enjoy taking part in the Special Olympics events. I’m also a big fan of Manchester United. 

Chrissie Maccalari - NAC Team

Hi everyone, my name is Chrissie. I was born in Africa at Capetown City Park Hospital. I moved to Ireland when I was 4 and have 2 passports. I’m in college. I love to cook and I really enjoy baking. Staying fit and sports are very important to me, I enjoy swimming, bowling, basketball, rock climbing, and going to the gym. I like to watch Vampire Diaries and The Originals.  … Read More

Chrissie Maccalari

NAC Team

Hi everyone, my name is Chrissie. I was born in Africa at Capetown City Park Hospital. I moved to Ireland when I was 4 and have 2 passports. I’m in college. I love to cook and I really enjoy baking. Staying fit and sports are very important to me, I enjoy swimming, bowling, basketball, rock climbing, and going to the gym. I like to watch Vampire Diaries and The Originals. 

Orla Casey - NAC Team

Hi, my name is Orla. I live in Dublin. I love to make Barista Coffee and cook. I’m in college and I am into tv and film. I love to act and have been in several short films.  I like IT and working on my computer. I love music, especially Ariana Grande and Hudson Taylor. I like fashion and fun such as writing and I am looking forward to getting involved with NAC.  … Read More

Orla Casey

NAC Team

Hi, my name is Orla. I live in Dublin. I love to make Barista Coffee and cook. I’m in college and I am into tv and film. I love to act and have been in several short films.  I like IT and working on my computer. I love music, especially Ariana Grande and Hudson Taylor. I like fashion and fun such as writing and I am looking forward to getting involved with NAC. 

If you would like to get involved or have any questions about our National Advisory Council, please contact our Adult Education Office, Sinéad Flynn at sinead@downsyndrome.ie or 086 103 5335