Mercy International announces new Head of Communications

Mercy International Association is delighted to announce the appointment of Brenda Drumm as Head of Communications.

Brenda has been Communications Manager with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) since September 2022. Prior to that she was Communications Officer and Digital Media Manager with the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference for 22 years. Brenda was also Media and Communications Manager for the World Meeting of Families and Papal Visit to Ireland in 2018.

Commenting on the appointment, Sister Patricia O’Donovan, CEO of Mercy International said, “We could not be happier about Brenda’s appointment as a senior member of our team. She brings unrivalled skills in so many areas of communications and is highly respected by those who work with her both nationally and internationally.’

“Brenda is especially well placed to manage this role with energy, creativity and commitment, along with a deep commitment to the mission of our foundress Catherine McAuley. All of this is vital as we prepare to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of Catherine’s house in 2027.”

Commenting on her appointment, Brenda said, “I am really looking forward to working with Mercy International Association. They do incredible work across the world in the areas of justice, advocacy, education, heritage and spirituality, and all of this is linked back to Catherine’s house on Baggot Street in Dublin. I look forward to continuing to tell her story and to highlighting all the good work that goes on in her name across the world."

Biographical Notes:

Brenda was Communications Manager with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) from September 2022 – August 2024.  During her time with DFI Brenda managed the digital media output and produced and presented The DFI Podcast. She also developed a unique media training programme for disabled people which saw almost 50 people complete the training in two years.

Prior to her appointment to DFI, Brenda was Communications Officer and Digital Media Manager with the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference for 22 years. She was instrumental in developing a presence for the Irish Catholic Church on digital media over the years and she is a regular contributor to publications and radio programmes. She has also written a monthly column on digital media for Intercom Magazine. Brenda was seconded to the World Meeting of Families 2018 as Media and Communications Manager for the event and the associated papal visit by Pope Francis to Ireland.

Brenda is a native of Belturbet, Co Cavan but has been living in Newbridge, Co Kildare with her family since 1995.  

She can be contacted by email: brendadrumm@mercyinternational.ie.