Damien is a strategist who has vast experience in tourism development, communications and public sector management. Prior to establishing ETC Damien was Head of Tourism, Events, Arts and Marketing (T.E.A.M.) in Cork City Council where he created and implemented Cork city’s first tourism strategy. He was a Director of Cork Convention Bureau up to August 2016 and has long established relationships with all major stakeholders in the tourism and communications sectors including Cork Chamber of Commerce, Fáilte Ireland and the hospitality industry.
From 2001 to 2005 Damien was Cork City Council’s first Head of Communications and he developed the Council’s first Communications Strategy. He has managed a considerable range of diverse events from the City Council’s communications for Cork’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2005 to HM Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Cork in 2011 and has been involved in the development and growth of annual festivals such as the St Patrick’s Festival and Glow, Cork’s annual Christmas festival, and the Conference of the Isles.
Damien has initiated and developed tourism strategies incorporating the use of multi media, cultural and heritage projects, social media campaigns, collaborative promotional initiatives and international marketing platforms.
He has devised and implemented marketing campaigns promoting the city of Cork and a myriad of attractions to audiences in both Ireland and Europe and also led promotional delegations on behalf of Cork to Shanghai, Bordeaux, Edinburgh and London, to name but a few.
Damien holds a First Class Master’s Degree in Law from University College Cork where he lectured for many years with the Law Faculty and the Department of Government. He consults on all aspects of local government and has a special interest in the areas of Planning and Housing. Damien is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.
… and in his downtime!
Damien is a traditional musician and a fluent Irish speaker and is involved pro bono in Cork’s bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in the city by 2020. He is a lover of Irish heritage and history and is a passionate advocate of Ireland’s rich cultural tapestry. He has worked with Ireland’s Irish language station, TG4, on the delivery of number of their flagship programs over the past 5 years.