What is Irish Red Cross Youth?
Irish Red Cross Youth (IRCY) is a dynamic, youth-led division of the Irish Red Cross, engaging members aged 4–25 in impactful humanitarian initiatives. It empowers young people to take leadership roles in driving the change they envision, both locally in their communities and nationally across Ireland—and even extends to international Red Cross and Red Crescent activities. Youth members volunteer across all aspects of the Irish Red Cross. IRCY fosters collaboration through youth groups, programs, and national events, where members contribute as passionate volunteers and advocates. Additionally, it develops innovative programs aimed at supporting and educating young people in communities throughout Ireland.
Our Youth Department
- Sharon Commins – Head of National Services
- Rosemarie Hayden – Community, Youth & Unit Manager
- Juliet O Dwyer – National Youth Officer
You can contact any of the staff at youth@redcross.ie or 01 642 4600
What is the National Youth Working Group?
This group is one of several groups reporting to the Board of the Irish Red Cross. It was established under the society’s Youth Charter to aid development of Irish Red Cross Youth and support its role in achieving the mission of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
One of the group’s key functions is to identify major concerns of young people and recommend action as appropriate. It does this by supporting the personal growth of Irish Red Cross Youth members and in turn, young people generally.
It manages partnerships and programmes to achieve this aim which reflect the Seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, and Unity.
This group also works closely with other working groups that are part of the Irish Red Cross governance structures. Its relationship with the Irish Red Cross Safeguarding Committee is of particular importance. The chair of the National Youth Working Group is the National Director of Youth who is appointed by the Board of the Irish Red Cross.
Who is a member of the National Youth Working Group (NYWG)?
- Lorna Costelloe, National Director of Youth & NYWG Chair – ndy@irishredcross.com
- Pádraig O’ Reilly, NYWG Vice chair – youth.por@irishredcross.com
- Tom Doyle, NYWG Member – youth.td@irishredcross.com
- Caoimhe McLaughlin – NYWG Member – youth.cml@irishredcross.com
- Elayna Watters – NYWG Member – youth.ew@irishredcross.com
- Eóin Buckley, NYWG Member – youth.eb@irishredcross.com
- Sarah Flood, NYWG Member – youth.sf@irishredcross.com
- Niall Healy, Regional Director of Youth West & NYWG Member- youth.west@irishredcross.com
- Glenn Aaron Young, Regional Director of Youth Dublin North East & NYWG Member- youth.dne@irishredcross.com
- Emma Brennan, Regional Director of Youth South & NYWG Member- youth.south@irishredcross.com
- Ryan Hayes, National Youth Representative & NYWG member – youth.rep@irishredcross.com
Who can I contact if I have a question and I'm a volunteer within the Irish Red Cross Youth section?
National Director of Youth
The National Director of Youth (NDY) is the executive officer of IRCY services and activities in the society. They assist in implementing the current Irish Red Cross Strategy, and additonal relevant strategies from the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent concerning youth development into all IRCY activities. The NDY is also, by default, the Chair of the NYWG.
Lorna Costelloe is the current National Director of Youth and she can be contacted on ndy@irishredcross.com
Regional Directors of Youth (RDY)
The RDY is the senior volunteer responsible for coordinating delivery of youth programs and services in their region. They assist in the implementation of the Irish Red Cross Strategy (2025 – 2028) and IFRC Youth strategy.
Regional Director of Youth West
Niall Healy is the RDY West and provides support across Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Clare, Connemara and Donegal. He can be contacted on youth.west@irishredcross.com
Regional Director of Youth Dublin North East
Glenn Aaron Young is the RDY Dublin North East and provides support across Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Dublin borough, and Dublin Fingal. He can be contacted on youth.dne@irishredcross.com
Regional Director of Youth South
Emma Brennan is the RDY South and provides support across Cork, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Kerry.
Regional Director of Youth Dublin Mid Leinster
There is currently no RDY for the Dublin Mid Leinster region. However, Ryan Hayes is providing support and information on a temporary basis to volunteers across Kildare, Laois, Wicklow, South County Dublin, and Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown. He can be contacted on youth.dml@irishredcross.com
Who is the National Youth Representative?
The Youth Representative acts as a voice for youth and communicates decisions made at General Assembly (GA) and National Youth Working Group (NYWG) directly to youth members.
The current Youth Representative (2022 – 2025) is Ryan Hayes.
You can contact Ryan Hayes in his role as Youth Representative by emailing youth.rep@irishredcross.com