Council of Optometry Ireland
The work of Optometry Ireland is governed by its Council which comprises 16 members to represent members’ interests. All members are eligible to stand for election and the Council meets five times annually.
The Council has a sub-group called the Executive Committee which meets monthly comprising of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two further members.
There are also five sub-committees which are:
- Education & Continuing Professional Development
- Professional Services
- Communications
- OI Hospital Committee
- Sustainability Committee
Optometry Ireland implements a Code of Conduct & Ethics which all members are required to adhere to as a condition of membership.
Meet the Council
President, Liz Grennan
Liz qualified as an optometrist from Kevin St college (now TU Dublin). She has experience with independents, multiples, laser and IOL optometry. Liz is presently practising in a private consultant led practice with a large paediatric and Myopia control emphasis.
She has a particular interest in dry eyes and educating patients about their eye health.
In her time on council, her initial role on the communications committee and then as chair, changes were made to update the OI website and social media offerings. She looks forward to engaging both optometrists and the public about the role of vision and eyecare as part of their overall wellbeing.
Liz supported Tania Constable as vice president and is looking forward to the challenge of President of OI. She views advocating for better fees, working to the top of our license and promoting the role of optometry as an important part of integrated healthcare as vital to moving OI forward.
Declan Hovenden
Vice-President
Derville Pitcher
Treasurer
Triona Culltion
Honorary Secretary
Martin O'Brien
Chair of CPD & Education Committee
Mary McMahon
Chair of Professional Services Committee
Tania Constable
Past President
Declan Hovenden is an optometrist with over 30 years’ experience in optometric clinical practice, management, and education. In 2009, Declan joined the Optometry Department at Dunlin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin) and he is now Head of Optometry at the university with responsibility for the academic, clinical, and research activities of the discipline.
Declan is passionate about the advancement of the science and practice of optometry and is committed to contributing to the development of the profession and to an improved, more integrated and patient-centric system of eyecare delivery in Ireland.
Having been a Fellow of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (now Optometry Ireland) since graduation, Declan has served on Council since 2019 and currently holds the office of Vice President. He also sits on the Optical Registration Board of CORU and on the Health and Social Care Professionals Council of CORU.
Derville is a Clinical Optometrist working in a community practice in the North Dublin suburbs. She has a wide ranging practice with a particular interest in Paediatrics and intellectual disabilities. Self employed for most of her career which she has enjoyed immensely.
Passionate about the ongoing development and growth of the profession and its value to the Health care system as a whole.
Currently chair of the Optical Registration Board and treasurer of Optometry Ireland.
Scout leader in her spare time as Derville is a believer in the value of community and volunteering.
Triona Culliton is the honorary secretary of Optometry Ireland.
Martin is currently the Education & CPD Committee Chair and a member of the Executive. He has also served as President, Vice-President, Chair of Professional Services and PR Committees and represents Optometry Ireland at the European Council of Optometry & Optics (ECCO) and sits on the Professional Services Committee and has served as a member of the ECOO Executive.
Martin is a passionate advocate for the profession of Optometry, and has presented and lectured at a number of national and international Optometry events. He has received a number of awards including – Doug Perkins Award for Clinical Excellence (2022), Fellowship of the College of Optometrists (UK), Fellowship of the European Academy of Optometry & Optics and Honorary Life Fellowship of Association of Optometrists Ireland.
Mary graduated from Cardiff University and qualified as an optometrist in 1996. She has experience in hospital, multiples, domiciliary and private practice. Mary started her own independent practice in 1999 in Carrick-on-Shannon and also now has a practice in Roscommon Town. She has been an examiner for OI. Mary is chair of professional services.
Tania had the privilege of leading Optometry Ireland from late 2022 until 2025. Her tenure saw increased engagement with both the Department of Health, and Department of Social Protection, development of a new website, creation of a committee to represent the interests of optometrists employed by the HSE a relatively new addition in the Irish Public Health system and improved corporate governance.
Tania has been qualified for over 15years, having studied in the University of Manchester, and practicing in the UK for a few years, she returned to Ireland over 10 years ago. She has worked in a number of different sectors within the profession; independent practice, multiples, locum and now within the HSE.
Continuous education is key to all optometrists; Tania holds an MSc in Clinical Optometry, in addition to a number of other post graduate certificates. She has a special interest in paediatrics and developed one of the first additional needs eye clinics within the HSE.
Tania intends to remain on the Council of Optometry Ireland in the coming years, and hopes to continue to contribute towards the development of the profession.
Richard Creagh
Olivia Donegan
Rena Elliott is a self employed private practice optometrist for many years in Athlone.
Rena has been a tutor on numerous occasions and have a keen interest in Myopia management.
Richard Creagh
Hannah graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Optometry from DIT in 2009. She worked as a locum in a variety of practices before starting in Colette Kelly Opticians in Longford in January 2010. Here she found her love for Optometry with the time and flexibility working in an independent practice allows.
In February 2022 she became Director of Colette Kelly Opticians and has invested a lot to bring the practice to a high clinical standard.
Hannah is passionate about myopia management and has completed many courses in it. Most recently she introduced Orthokeratology to her practice to work alongside the other myopia management options she offers her patients.
Hannah became a member of council in Nov 2023 and is excited to help shape the future of Optometry in Ireland.
Vacant Council Seat.
Vacant Council Seat.
Barry is a long-serving member of the Council of Optometry Ireland, having served as Communications Officer, Vice-President, President and Honorary Secretary.
He was awarded Fellowship of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (F.A.O.I.) in 1993, after graduating from the Optometry programme of the Dublin Institute of Technology. He has worked in independent private practice for many years and continues to do so.
Edel McCann qualified In optometry 1993. Independent practice in Donegal. She took up position HSE Paediatric Optometry clinic Sligo 1 day a week too broaden experience with children.
Mary O’ Loughlin F.A.O.I. Is the Council Representative for the Eastern Region. She ran a successful independent practice for 35 years in Arklow and is currently on a career break. Mary is passionate about every aspect of Optometry, has been on Council for many years and served as President in 2013 and 2014.
She has extensive experience in exit planning and selling/ buying a practice.
Other OI Council Members
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