About
About Irish Network Portland in Oregon
Irish Network Portland, a Non-Profit organization that was established with the support of the Irish Government. Inspired by our history in America, we want to share our experiences and teach others about our heritage.
Our Mission
The Irish Network Portland serves as the heart of the diverse Irish and Irish-American community in Portland, facilitating personal and professional networking opportunities and organizing cultural, social, and social events. We embrace all connections to Ireland and serve as a conduit to collaboration between our communities in both Ireland and the United States
Our Team
Denise McElwain
President
Denise, originally from Co. Monaghan, has lived in Portland since 2016 and is one of our fabulous founding members. Denise is no stranger to travel, she studied Media in Dublin and worked at 98FM before moving to British Columbia, Canada, to work for the 2010 Winter Olympics. She landed in Portland, OR with the media giant Yahoo! She enjoys connecting with the Irish community here in the Pacific Northwest through Irish Network Portland.
Gay Maher
Vice President
Gay was born and raised in Dublin. She moved with her husband and four children to America in 1989, landing in Lake Oswego, where they have lived ever since. Gay grew up Irish Dancing in Ireland, she began teaching dance in the Portland Metro area and owned a studio for 22 years. Her dancers were renowned for their many performances locally and nationally, as well as in global competitions. In 2009, they opened an Irish restaurant in downtown Lake Oswego. Today her passion is Real Estate, and she continues to work with her community in various events and programs.
Martin Buckley
Treasury
Martin grew up in Dublin and moved to Portland in 1996 after completing his studies at Technological University Dublin. Martin is an original INP Board member and has acted as our Treasurer since inception. He brings a wealth of Global executive-level experience from his time at Nike Inc., PXG, Dr. Martens, and JCB Packaging and Logistics. He is passionate about growing the Irish and related community connectivity in Oregon and beyond.
Oonagh Morgan Hurst
Board Member
Oonagh is a native of Mayobridge, Co. Down. She studied in London and Dublin and has worked as a Public Relations consultant on the U.S. west coast since 2003. Oonagh loves to teach her son, Lochlan about Irish culture and is passionate about improving and expanding Irish Network Portland.
Brian Thompson
Board Member
Brian grew up outside of Boston and received his BA from Tufts University, but has lived in the Pacific NW since 2010. Brian started playing hurling and Gaelic football when he lived in Tacoma and now plays hurling for Columbia Red Branch, the Portland-area GAA Club. Brian is a commercial electrician and a proud member of the IBEW (electrician’s Union). Brian is a US Army Veteran and member of VFW Post 7824 in Vancouver, WA. He lives in North Portland with his wife, Mallory, and their two cats.
Jacquie McConnell
Board Member
Meet Jacquie McConnell, a proud Irish expat who has called Portland home for the past 18 years after relocating from Kildare, Ireland, with her husband and young son. Excited to be part of the Irish Network Portland, Jacquie brings a wealth of professional experience, having lived, and worked in Ireland, London, and Portland. Having traversed different cultures and landscapes, Jacquie deeply understands the importance of community connections in bridging the gap between home and abroad. When Jacquie isn’t busy engaging with the Irish Network Portland, you’ll often find her immersed in her passion for art. Dedicated and enthusiastic, Jacquie looks forward to contributing to the growth of a vibrant Irish community in Portland, where they can come together to celebrate their heritage, share experiences, and forge new connections.
Barry Scott
Board Member
Barry is from Westmeath, Ireland. He started working in menswear in Athlone, then electronics manufacturing in Mountbellew County Galway, where he met his ‘bride to be’. He joined Intel in Leixlip in 1992 and moved with Intel to Portland in 1998. He enjoys connecting with the Irish community in the Pacific Northwest through Irish Network Portland (INP) and joined the INP Board in 2023. He lives in the Portland Bethany area with his wife and their 2 dogs.
Martina McElwain
Board Member
Martina, hailing from Monaghan, Ireland, is a tech enthusiast with a specialization in SAP software. Her professional path has taken her from bustling Dublin to scenic Vancouver, with a brief detour in the vibrant city of Chicago, before she found her true home in Portland in 2013. Alongside her husband and two children, Martina immerses herself in the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest, cherishing every moment spent exploring lush forests, charming coastal towns, and everything in between.
Tracey Murphy
Secretary
Tracey grew up in The Liberties area of Dublin. She moved to Portland in 1989 ‘for a year’ .. but has been here ever since. Tracey has worked at Kells Irish Pub for the past 19 years and has been the general manager for the last 12. She enjoys meeting all the Irish people that come in for a wee pint. But her favorite thing to do is have Happy Hour with friends.
Patrick Koeberl
Advisory Board Member
Patrick was born to a German-Irish family and spent his formative years split between both countries, eventually settling in Dublin, where he met his Irish wife. Together they embarked on an adventure that eventually led them and their young family to the magnificent Pacific NW, not before spending seven years living on the beautiful German Bergstrasse.
Brian Doherty
Advisory Board Member
I am currently retired from Miller Nash LLP. I have a keen interest in all things Irish and am a member of several Irish organizations, including the Irish Network Portland, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the All Ireland Cultural Society. I also am helping the Irish Consulate in San Francisco on matters related to Irish organizations and Irish companies with interests in Oregon.