Who We Are
The purpose of AWCD is to foster and encourage American-Irish relations and cross-cultural understating among American women and their families through educational and philanthropic activities.
Monica Welch
AWCD President 2022-2023
Welcome to AWCD!
American Women’s Club Dublin is a phenomenal support network for American women living in Ireland. We offer a warm welcome and introduction to neighbors who quickly become friends through a wide assortment of activities and networking opportunities.
We have a proud fifty-year history of fostering American-Irish relations and cross-cultural understanding via fun, educational and philanthropic events. We have conveniently located monthly general meetings and special new members welcome coffees and wine and cheese gatherings. This year we are focusing our philanthropic efforts on ARC Cancer Support Centres.
We offer a wide array of opportunities to engage in outdoor adventures and cultural activities all over Dublin and the surrounding area. We provide a mix of daytime activities and evening events to make it easy for you to fit us into your schedule. And when you become a member of our club, you also become a member of FAWCO, an amazing global network of American women living abroad.
Whatever brings you to Dublin, we hope you will connect with us on this incredible journey in this magical place. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the AWCD family.
Meet the 2022-2023 Board
Monica Welch - President
Monica was born and raised in Connecticut and has spent the majority of her adult life in the northeast. She initially arrived in Dublin in January 2020 on a corporate relocation with her husband John. She has three children in their twenties living in NY, CT and NC and is really enjoying Ireland’s golf offerings.
Eileen Fischer - VP Finance
Eileen spent most of her working life in Manhattan, with a lovely five year assignment in Paris. After retiring (and Covid years), she packed two suitcases, downloaded Daft.ie and started her adventure in Ireland. She finds Dublin the perfect combination of friendly people, extensive cultural events and ideal weather. Despite the distance, Eileen continues to mentor two teenagers in NYC who tug at her heartstrings daily.
Lori Garife - Treasurer
Lori has spent most of her life in California. She spent 30 years in the Bay Area working for large retailers in finance, strategy, planning and operations. Four years ago, she and her husband moved to Dublin for his job, leaving Lori somewhere between unemployed and retired. Lori is looking forward to getting back to travels, as well as neighborhood adventures with her dog, and in-person activities in Dublin and beyond with the AWCD.
Noreen Griffin - VP Activities
Noreen was born and raised in Ireland, moving to the US on graduation from the University of Limerick. After almost 20 years in New York working in Finance, with a 3 year stint in North Carolina where her daughters were born, she moved to Dublin in 2012 with her family. Noreen found a number of activities as a way to connect with others in a new city. Noreen loves food, local history, walking and talking! Ideally all at the same time!
Sherry O'Connor - VP Programs
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Sherry moved from Milwaukee to Dublin in 2019 with her husband, Christian, and their two dogs. You’ll find the pups walking Sherry nearly every morning along Sandymount Strand. Christian and Sherry also have three adult children in the US. Sherry is on the hunt for the best chocolate chip cookie in Dublin. If you have any leads, please reach out!
Amie O'Dowd - VP Programs
Amie O’Dowd is from Michigan. She moved to Ireland to continue her studies and met her Irish husband, Ronan. They relocated to Boston where they had 3 children. After 6 years, the family moved to Dubai for nearly a decade and in 2019, they moved back to Dublin for their kids to attend secondary school.
Molly Shibley - Communications
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Molly moved to Dublin in August 2019 for a new career opportunity for her husband. Her daughter was born six months later, just before COVID. Since joining AWCD in May 2021, Molly has enjoyed lots of coffee, walks, and nights out. Outside of the club Molly writes and enjoys reading, eating, and spending time outdoors.
Tania Miller - Philanthropy
A native of Pittsburgh PA, Tania started her life in the role of caregiver to her disabled Mother. After a stint working as a member of the management team of a printing and PR company she found her way back to caregiving via nursing. Tania relocated to Ireland in 2019 with her husband, 3 dogs and cat. Tania offered to become the Philanthropy Chair mainly because she wanted to go to an Afternoon Tea. This position was a natural fit for Tania and her desire to give back.
Nurdan Colleran - FAWCO Rep
Nurdan is a qualified Coach and Professional Neurolanguage Coach and Licenced Trainer. She has worked in various industries and organizations and has been privileged to advise government bodies and the United Nations, as well as several universities and other not-for-profit institutions during her career. She is married to an Irish national and a mother of two: her daughter lives in Dublin and her son and his family are in Denver, Colorado.
Margie O'Rourke - FAWCO Deputy
Margie hails from Philadelphia and has resided in North County Dublin for the past 35 years. Retired for seven years, she’s taken up watercolour and acrylics, bought a piano (just tinkers), is a jigsaw puzzle lover and has devoted a lot of time becoming a PlayStation video gamer. Life for her is busy and full of the things she likes to do. She’s grateful that life is good.
Carol Lovelett - Membership
A native New Yorker, Carol retired to Ireland 9 years ago and plans to remain. She is an avid walker and reader who also enjoys travel, playing Bridge and baking. If you’re interested in volunteer activities in the Club or in Dublin, ask Carol.
Margaret Jungels - Secretary
Margaret joined the AWCD in the fall of 2021 and completed the move to Dublin in January 2022 for her husband’s job. Margaret moved around a bit while growing up, but spent her adult life in Chicago. She is the proud mother of two amazing daughters currently in college in the US. In her free time, Margaret enjoys playing tennis (badly!), reading, traveling, and finding reasons to laugh.
Jenny Lavin - Parliamentarian
After two years in London, Jenny and her family were crazy enough to move to Dublin in October 2020 in the middle of a global pandemic. Her professional background is mainly in the education and non-profit sectors, working mainly as a project manager, workshop facilitator, and teacher. She loves great food, walks around the city, visiting museums, and sharing a bottle of wine or beer with friends.
Donate to our 2022-2023 Charity
As both a social and philanthropic organisation, each year the American Women’s Club of Dublin selects and raises funds for a local charity.
This year we are supporting ARC Cancer Support Centres, an organization that provides psychological, emotional, educational and practical support in a warm and welcoming environment to people with cancer and those who care for them.
Use the donation form below to make donation to ARC Cancer Support Centres.
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