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County Architect · DLR County Council

Andrée Dargan is County Architect for DLR County Council, where she has become one of Ireland's most influential voices in urban design, sustainable development, and public architecture. A career architect dedicated to the intersection of architecture, public policy, and environmental stewardship, Andrée has been instrumental in shaping the visual and functional landscape of the county. She is widely recognised for spearheading DLR County Council's commitment to high-performance building standards, including Passive House design — establishing the council as a national pioneer in sustainable social housing. At the Dargan Forum, Andrée presents as part of the Playbook for Regional Development, bringing a practitioner's perspective on how local authorities can lead on built environment quality, sustainability, and place-making.

Tidy Towns Chair · Dún Laoghaire Tidy Towns

Executive Committee Member for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown · Dublin Cycling Campaign

Daniel Walsh is an Executive Committee Member of Dublin Cycling Campaign, representing the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area. He is a local cycling advocate working for safer, quieter and more sociable streets, supporting the adoption of local cycling plans and engaging with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on active travel consultations. Dublin Cycling Campaign is represented on the Transportation Strategic Policy Committees of the four Dublin local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Administrative Officer for Tourism Development · DLR County Council

Dave Lawless is Administrative Officer for Tourism Development at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, where he helps to grow and promote the visitor economy across the county. Working within the council's Tourism Development team, he supports local enterprises, festivals and cultural attractions, helping to position Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown as a distinctive coastal and heritage destination. At the Dargan Forum he brings a local-authority perspective on how tourism, heritage and place-making can combine to drive sustainable regional development.

LEO Centre of Excellence · Enterprise Ireland

Gerry O’Grady is a central figure in the Irish entrepreneurial ecosystem, serving as a leader within the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Centre of Excellence at Enterprise Ireland. His work sits at the critical junction where national enterprise policy meets local delivery, ensuring that small businesses and social enterprises across Ireland have the tools, digital capabilities, and strategic supports required to thrive.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ireland · Embassy of Morocco

His Excellency Dr. Lahcen Mahraoui has served as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ireland since presenting his credentials to the President of Ireland in November 2016. In this role, he has championed academic partnerships between Moroccan and Irish universities, strengthened maritime cooperation, and fostered cultural exchange and community outreach initiatives connecting both nations. His diplomatic career reflects a commitment to building bridges across education, trade, and cultural understanding. As a guest of honour at the Dargan Forum Official Reception, Ambassador Mahraoui brings a distinguished international perspective on enterprise development and cross-border collaboration.

Chair · Dún Laoghaire Business Association

Senior Engineer and Head of Active Travel · DLR County Council

Paul Faughnan is Senior Engineer and Head of Active Travel at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. He leads the delivery of the county active travel programme, including cycling and walking infrastructure schemes delivered in partnership with the National Transport Authority. His work covers the design and delivery of active travel links and mobility infrastructure across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, one of the most active local authority programmes in the country.