Charity Retail Ireland is the all island representative body for charities who operate in the retail space to the triple bottom line, having a significant financial, social and environmental impact. We are funded by our charity members and through corporate partnerships. Our members range from large national charities to local, community based charities and our 41 members operate over 400 shops on the island of Ireland. All our members are registered with the Charities Regulator or the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland. All members have also signed up to our Code of Charity Retailing as a condition of their membership.

Charity Retail Ireland is registered in Dublin as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered number: 799483. Registered address: 23 Pine Valley Grove Rathfarnham Dublin D16 RX85

Our board members are:

Mark Sweeney – Chair

Linda Ward – Secretary

Brendan McCarthy – Treasurer

Brendan McCarthy is the CEO of Cork Mental Health Foundation & Housing Association since 2010. He is responsible for the day to day running of both organisations as well as co-ordinating future expansion. One of these expansions was the addition of a Charity Shop Aurora in Mallow Co. Cork.

Brendan has over 20 years’ experience within Management both in the private and public sector. With a degree in Business from MTU and a Higher Diploma in Computer Science from UCC he has a great knowledge of business and how to develop and support new projects. He is also responsible for all the financial aspects of running a charity in Ireland including dealing with grant and state funders on an annual basis. Brendan has been a member of the CRI steering group since February 2020 and was been appointed a member of the Board and Treasurer for the organisation in January 2025.

Mairead Mannion

Meet our team:

Maria Dickenson – Network Manager

Maria manages the CRI executive team. She is responsible for member engagement, events and meetings, as well as partnership building and fundraising. She represents CRI on the Textile Advisory Group and the National Reuse and Repair Network

Maria has 25 years’ retail experience and has held a number of voluntary trade association and board roles. She is a strong advocate of the triple bottom line, and after 25 years in commercial retail she completed the Climate Leadership qualification at Trinity College Dublin before joining Charity Retail Ireland in June 2025.

You can contact Maria at network@charityretail.ie

 

 

Gretta Halpin-Dodd –  Finance and Administration Manager

Gretta joined in Charity Retail Ireland in 2023. She previously worked in the museum and heritage sector and has extensive experience in project management, event planning, administration, database and website management, and stakeholder communications, and values the creative, collaborative, community-focused nature of her work. Gretta has a keen interest in sustainable living and the circular economy. She appreciates the practical role charity retail plays in reducing waste and supporting communities and is proud to contribute to a sector delivering meaningful social and environmental impact across Ireland.

You can contact Gretta on info@charityretail.ie

 

Shelly McLoughlin –  Marketing Manager 

Shelly has been Charity Retail Ireland’s Marketing Manager since 2023 and and brings over five years’ experience in marketing, social media management, videography and photography. She oversees CRI’s online presence and produces visual and written content that amplifies the organisation’s voice, supports member and corporate partner engagement, and drives campaigns and initiatives. 
 

Shelly is passionate about environmental sustainability and strives to work with organisations that help people and the planet.

You can contact Shelly at marketing@charityretail.ie