Our Team
Our Team - the People of Ireland. The volunteers who began work on the Project are a group of professional people who share similar aspirations of a secure prosperous Ireland - for today and for future generations. These are the early members:
Graham O'Donnell, Electrical and Electronics Engineer with over 20 years experience of international power networks. Worked on design of Network Control System hardware certified to 400kV. Later founded own Network Control company. Successful serial entrepreneur including Orbiscom, a groundbreaking electronic payments company and Microsol Ltd. Microsol developed world leading high voltage control technology and installed major grid installations across UK, Europe, the Middle East and the US. Graham brings skills to the Spirit team from Leadership to engineering to finance. Graham has personally funded all outside consultants and publicity to date. Volunteers give their time for the benefit of our country.
Prof Igor Shvets, an Electrical Engineer one of Ireland's leading physicists based in Trinity College Dublin. A native of Ukraine, he holds over 50 patents and has 15+ Masters and PhD colleagues in his research group at present. He has successfully launched and sold two spin out companies from Trinity College, both of which are exporting high technology products that were developed in Ireland. He precipitated foundation of the Spirit of Ireland project after noticing many of the natural geographic features in Ireland that make it possible.
Related Links:
Trinity College Dublin: School of Physics
Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices
Dermot McDonnell, a Mayo native who worked for many years in investment banking but has been working in the renewable energy sector for 8 years. Since 2005, Dermot has been working on development of Hydro Storage facilities in Ireland.
Mark Wheeler, from Dublin also worked for many years in investment banking. He completed an MBA at Cranfield, specialising in small business start-ups and he now runs a small business in Dublin. Since 2005, Mark has been working on development of Hydro Storage facilities in Ireland.
Mark and Dermot own Pumped Hydro Electric Company and have worked with a number of international power companies reviewing the Spirit plans and possible locations for Hydro Storage Reservoirs.
John Cowley has over twenty years experience working in the technology arena, from semi state telecoms to his own successful company, Multinet Systems. John is also an electrical engineer and is very experienced at senior executive level in Sales & Marketing.
Alan Costello runs his own consultancy business, helping Irish start-up companies to develop business plans, commercialise their research and obtain private equity funding. Following a degree in chemistry, he completed an MBA and worked for many years in the Pharmaceutical sector, both in Research & Development and in Sales/Marketing and business planning.
Padraig Howard from Co. Clare started his own construction company in 1998 while studying Quantity Surveying. He has successfully developed many projects in the west of Ireland. He is currently setting up a 70 acre entrepreneur technology park, with a special focus on renewable energy. He is also coordinating a 100MW+ wind farm in Co. Clare for the last four years, one whose ownership is based on community involvement and participation in the planning process.
Dr Pat O'Donoghue, following a PhD in electrical engineering, has over 35 years experience in power systems, grid engineering and electricity markets. For many years he managed a planning division within the ESB. He has been a consultant to the UN on electricity issues and is the author of a number of specialist books in this area.
Peter Legge has run his own architectural firm for over 35 years and has won numerous awards for major construction projects in Ireland and across Europe and Africa. A special focus is on environmental issues and sustainability for developments within their natural environment.
Over 50 team members are now working on the project with expertise in Construction, Planning, Hydrology, Environment, Finance, Economics, Communications and other disciplines. We have received advice from major companies and consultancies. With the exception of overseas international consultants, all have given time and expertise free of charge and with great generosity. On our behalf and on behalf of the people of Ireland, we thanks them all.
Over 2000 people volunteered their services in the first three days post launch. We really appreciate such wonderful support. We will endeavour to employ as many such offers as we can without becoming overloaded. Thank you.