About us
Moy Valley Resources was established in 1990 to address the deprivation and decline the North Mayo and West Sligo region was experiencing at that time. Unemployment and emigration rates were soaring, inward investment was minimal, and the town and wider region was witnessing dereliction in many ways, not least in its property stock.
Several concerned businesspeople decided to tackle matters locally in the form of an Integrated Resource Development Company. IRD North Mayo- West Sligo CLG, (t/a Moy Valley Resources), a community-owned company led by a voluntary board of directors was established, and has over the past 30 years maintained its ethos of self-help, empowerment, participation and collaboration.
From its early days, the company was a forward-thinking, innovative vehicle for the delivery of projects and programmes in the area that combined local investment with Government and EU funding to ensure positive meaningful, and effective results for the people of the region. Examples of its successful projects include the regeneration of the once-derelict Quay Village, and the revitalisation of the Old Tech on Cathedral Road into a thriving community hub.
Moy Valley Resources continues to utilise community development approaches and principles. It employs a team of managers and staff to deliver sustainable, community, rural, social and economic development in the Moy Valley region through its core programmes: Community Employment, LEADER, Mayo North Tourism, Mayo Volunteer Centre and Craoibhín, Ballina.
In addition, the company supports other local projects, community groups and individuals in a myriad of ways, continuing to address the socio-economic challenges of the day.
The company’s operations have historically incorporated a large geographical area comprising of ten local communities:
Ballina, Bonniconlon, Ballycastle, Crossmolina, Enniscrone, Foxford, Killala, Easkey, Dromore West and Templeboy.
To ensure a thriving social, environmental and economic community that offers equality of opportunity, sustainability, liveability and accessibility for all in the Moy Valley region.
To assist in the development of the Moy Valley region in North Mayo & West Sligo, supporting community groups, community projects, local enterprises and individuals by providing services, expertise, information, advocacy and working in partnership with other agencies and organisations.
Empowerment | Participation | Partnership | Self-help | Equality | Inclusion | Pride of Place
Our
Jacqueline Kinsella is General Manager of Operations and Business Development at Moy Valley Resources. She was appointed to this position in July 2026.
Jacqueline joined the Moy Valley Community Services (CSP) Team in November 2015, and in 2017 she progressed into the Community Employment (CE) Programme.
As Community Employment Supervisor, she oversaw up to 46 CE staff located in projects from Ballycastle to Foxford, with many participants based in Ballina.
Her responsibility was to coach, mentor and encourage participants to take advantage of training and upskilling as they prepared to re-enter the active labour market, whilst gaining valuable work experience within community organisations
Jacqueline also held the Operations Manager roles for Greenhills Enterprise Centre, Bunree, Ballina and for IQ Ballina, supporting the clients in those business spaces.
Jacqueline has qualifications in legal studies, accounting, and event management. Most recently, she has added a Special Purpose award in Training and Development to her already completed degrees in Business Management Applications and a Hons Degree in Business. She is currently pursuing an Honours Degree in Accounting Technology.
Outside of the office, Jacqueline enjoys walking and sea dipping in North Mayo.
Mairéad Melody-Carr commenced working with Moy Valley Resources in 2021, and currently manages the Mayo North Tourism office.
Mayo North Tourism is a destination marketing and tourism development office. It aims to work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote the region as a year-round tourism destination, showcasing its culture, heritage, and natural landscape, and developing new experiences in an ethical, sustainable manner, to best benefit the area and its people.
No stranger to tourism, Mairéad has worked in hospitality and related sectors for over 18 years. Prior to her current role she held the position of Sales & Marketing Manager at Clayton Hotel Galway and worked in sales and marketing roles at Knockranny House Hotel & Spa in Westport and Galway Cultural Institute/Galway Business School.
Mairéad was awarded the title of Network Galway ‘Employee of the Year’ in 2016 and represented county Galway at a national level. She was also selected as a mentor for the Dalata Hotel Group Sales Development Programme during her time there. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Marketing from Dublin Institute of Technology.
During her free time, Mairéad is kept busy transporting her four children to and from their various activities! She is also an avid GAA fan and Mayo supporter.
Corina has worked with Moy Valley Resources since August 2010. Having initially worked as a Community Service Programme (CSP) Manager for six years, she is now a LEADER Development officer for the North Mayo Region.
LEADER is a programme that is rolled out by the Department of Rural and Community Development, providing rural communities across the European Union with the resources to enable local partners to actively engage and direct the local development of their area, through community-led development.
Corina, along with her LEADER colleague Kim Merrifield, supports individuals, businesses and rural community groups to access LEADER funding for development of projects that will benefit the North Mayo region and create employment.
Corina has in the past managed a number of successful Moy Valley partnerships including cross-border Interreg and Cycleau projects as well as working as placement officer with Mayo Volunteer Centre.
Corina holds a Degree in Social Science, Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Training and a Masters Degree in Executive Training and Management.
This position will be filled shortly. Please drop back to this section to learn more about our new Community Employment Supervisor at Moy Valley Resources.
Kim Merrifield joined the Mayo Volunteer Centre team in April 2025.
Before taking up her role in the Mayo Volunteer Centre, Kim supported community groups and enterprises to access LEADER funding for the development of projects that benefit the North Mayo region.
Kim was also a District Partnership Manager in the Early Help and Preventative Services Directorate in Kent County Council in the UK.
Kim holds a Masters Degree in Community Development, a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy, Sociology and Politics and a Higher Diploma in Women’s Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway.
