Donegal ETB has appointed a new Director at its Outdoor Education and Training Centre (OETC) in Gartan. Ciaran O Brien has been appointed following the retirement of former Director Ursula MacPherson after twenty-seven years. Gartan OETC is an 87 acre estate nestled in the heart of Co Donegal. In 2016 almost 7,000 students benefited from a wide range of outdoor education and training programmes at Gartan. Approximately 160,000 students have done so over the last twenty-seven years.
Ciaran has been working as the Coordinator of Donegal ETB’s Gortahork Youthreach centre for the last two years. Previous to this he was an outdoor education instructor at Gartan for three years from 2012-2015 and from 2001-2009 where he was responsible for the design and delivery of multi-activity outdoor adventure programmes for a variety of groups and individuals. Speaking about his new appointment, Ciaran said he was delighted to be taking over one of the leading outdoor education and training centres in the country, “Gartan is a very special place surrounded by a fantastic community. I’m really looking forward to getting started and to building on the good work and strong relationships built by Ursula.”
Speaking about Ciaran’s appointment, Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh said “We are delighted with Ciaran’s appointment. This is the start of a new chapter in Gartan’s history which continues to build on Gartan’s reputation as one of the best outdoor education and training centres in the country, sitting as it does in the heart of the coolest place on the planet.” Ms McHugh also paid tribute to Ursula’s leadership over the previous twenty-seven years.
Ciaran takes up his appointment on 25 September. Gartan can be contacted on at 074 91 37032.