Board Members
Voluntary Management Board
Ballinasloe Social Services is governed by a voluntary management board who are drawn from different walks of life in the local community. The board meets in the Social Services Centre on the first Wednesday of every month (excluding July & August).
Sr. Alacoque Gleeson RSM
President of Ballinasloe Social Services
Sr. Alacoque Gleeson RSM originated from Tullamore, Co Offaly and entered with the Sisters of Mercy, Loughrea in 1962, Sr. Alacoque qualified as a nurse and worked for eleven years in St Brendan’s Home, Loughrea.
In 1982 she was seconded to work in Ballinasloe Social Services Centre as Director of the newly set-up Day Care Centre, where she enjoyed working along with many diverse staff members and volunteers, providing a service of care and compassion to all who entered the Centre.
She served as an active member on committee for 37 years and is now delighted to be chosen as President to such a vibrant and enthusiastic committee.
Since her retirement in 2009 she has served in various ministries in the Mercy Congregation and engaged with the refugees from Ukraine.
Officers
Michael Lally
Chairperson & Secretary
Michael is a long standing member of the Board who became involved in the services in 1980 and was Chairperson from 1984 – 1986. He is a retired Secondary School teacher and qualified Counsellor. He is a Company Director and a member of the Vetting sub-committee.
Dr. Kevin Connolly
Vice Chairperson
Kevin is from Dublin but has lived in Ballinasloe since 1978. He was a Paediatrician in Portiuncula hospital for 32 years. He was a previous Chair of Social Services Committee and was re-appointed to the Board in 2024.
Jenny O'Sullivan
Treasurer
Jenny is originally from Mayo and has lived in Ballinasloe for 40 years. Her professional expertise comes from the banking sector and she has been a member of the Board since 2003. She is a Company Director, chair of the Audit sub-committee and a member of the Governance Committee. She is also a volunteer in our Day Care Centre.
Management Board
Stephen Kerr
Stephen is a native of Clones, Co Monaghan and a former Bank Manager, who has lived in Ballinasloe since 1993. He joined the Board in 2016 and is a member of the Audit sub-committee.
Caroline Layng
Caroline is originally from South Galway and moved to Ballinasloe in 1994. She has a wealth of experience in health related social work, working in Portiuncula Hospital since 1996. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys golfing, horse riding and cooking.
Catherine Colleran
Catherine lives in Aughrim, where she grew up and went to school. In the late 80’s, she moved to London where she worked as an Office Admin and PA. She moved back to Enfield, Co Meath in 1996 and in 2007, along with their son, they moved back to Aughrim. Catherine works as an Office Admin and is involved in Garbally Parents Association, where she helps out with fundraising. She is also involved in Aughrim Foróige and local GAA and rugby. She joined the Board in 2019.
Adrian Grehan
Adrian lives in Ahascragh. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant and specialises in change management, governance and financial oversight in the financial services sector. He is also Chair of the charity Fighting Blindness and a Board member of Restorative Justice Services. He joined the Board in 2026.
Regina Power
Regina is a Ballinasloe native and a National School teacher. She has been a Board member since 2009 and is a Company Director.
Declan Quinn
Declan is from Ballinasloe. He is a retired Social Worker having worked for over 30 years with the HSE and Tusla. His father Tom enjoyed many happy years of involvement with the Social Services.
Claire Healy
Claire was born and grew up in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. After the Leaving Cert, she studied Pharmacy in Trinity College, Dublin. She worked in a community and hospital pharmacy for a year in Dublin and then moved to Athlone. After a few years there, she purchased a pharmacy in Ballinasloe in 1998. She retired in 2025
Sub-Committee Members
Staffing Sub-Committee
Michael Lally
Regina Power
Teresa Coughlan
Playschool Sub-Committee
Michael Lally
Kevin Connolly
Regina Power
Elaine Murphy
Teresa Coughlan
CFRC Sub-Committee
Michael Lally
Declan Quinn
Regina Power
Caroline Layng
Kevin Connolly
Una Murphy
Teresa Madden
Teresa Coughlan
Director of Services: Teresa Coughlan
Donations And Support
Ballinasloe Social Services is a charity, registered with the Charity Regulator. Our Registered Charity Number (RCN) is 20025717. We are also registered with the Revenue Commissioners as a charity (CHY 10149).
Contact Us
Ballinasloe Social Services,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway
H53 KC98
090-9643217
daycare@ballinasloesocialservices.ie
preschool@ballinasloesocialservices.ie