Our Team

Fergus Somers
Managing Director
Fergus is a furniture design teacher in CSN in Cork, with an interest in 3D design and digital fabrication.

Tony Farrell
Director
Tony Farrell is a successful woodturner, his work has been exhibited internationally and is on sale both online and in retail. He is former engineering lecturer in CIT and former chair of Cork Craft & Design.

Ian Barron
Director
Ian joins us from a lengthy research career in the US and Ireland. He is also a maker (Textiles) and works to help Benchspace bring tohhether the resources and supportive community that makes successful creative enterprises possible.

Alice Dooley
Director
Alice is a former Adult Education teacher with a background in Business. She currently works in IT and lasercutting. She is currently focussed on the development of a Digital Making space at Benchspace.

Peter Johnson
Director
Peter is a keen woodworker and when he’s not hard at it in Benchspace, he spends his time working in Finance.

Sam Russell
Director
Head of Product Design at NCAD and PELARS NCAD Principal Investigator.

Christine Byrne
Director
A Sculptor & Cork Craft and Design Board member with extensive experience in the Irish Maker Community. Christine brings a wealth of experience to the board

Maeve Murphy
Operations Manager
Maeve is a passionate advocate for Irish craft & design and has over 10 years of experience spanning arts management and practice across multiple disciplines.

David Scannell
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David works full time in the Technology Industry and in his spare time is interested in all aspects of making including digital but primarily woodwork.