Dara Connolly

Dara has held senior roles in a number of organizations, recently as Head of Business Development in Young Social Innovators (YSI) and now the Chief Executive of Common Purpose Ireland. He also enjoyed four successful years taking Recreate, a Creative Reuse social enterprise working with children and individuals with disabilities, from start up to a sustainable business model, winning a number of awards along the way including Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Impact Award.

Before ReCreate, he was Head of Business Development and Property of Temple Bar Cultural Trust Ltd, managing a cultural and commercial property portfolio of €100M. Here he project managed a number of landmark capital infrastructure projects such as the construction of Ireland’s first outdoor retractable roof on Meeting House Square in Temple Bar.

His experience includes working for Microsoft as Financial Services Manager and travelling extensively in search of adventure! Dara has a passion for the arts and environment, resulting from his work in Temple Bar and Cultivate (a sustainability NGO), and his very rewarding time as director and chair of Saplings Schools for Children with Autism has given him a real interest in children’s development. He is a qualified Management Accountant and holds diplomas in Business Studies, Project Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Innovation.

When not working he is chasing around his 4 kids and trying to get some time to play football, take in some music and follow his beloved Munster.