Meet the team
Carolyn Corless - General Manager
A native of Galway City, Carolyn lives with her husband Gary and their two sons. She began her career with Bluebird Care in October 2008, at a time when the company was in its early stages of development. Over the years, Carolyn has worked in every position within the organisation, gaining invaluable experience and insight into all aspects of homecare delivery. This breadth of knowledge has given her a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sector, as well as the needs of both customers and staff. Now serving as the General Manager, Carolyn oversees a large and dedicated team across Galway. She is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of operations, the professional development of staff, and above all, the delivery of safe, reliable, and person-centred care & support to our customers. Carolyn is known for her approachable manner, her strong leadership, and her ability to balance the demands of a busy office while keeping the focus firmly on the wellbeing of the people Bluebird Care supports. For Carolyn, the most rewarding part of her role is the opportunity to make a positive difference every day. She explains: “Since becoming General Manager here in Galway, I have the privilege of interacting daily with both our customers and staff, something that brings me great fulfilment. My position allows me to put the management skills I have developed over the years to meaningful use, while making a real difference in the lives of so many people in our community.” She adds: “Bluebird Care is like a second family to me, it has been part of my life for so long, and I am proud to lead a team that truly cares for the people of Galway.”
Sean Lyons - Managing Director
Originally from Tynagh, Co. Galway (best known for the historic Tynagh Mines), Sean is married to Eileen and together they live in Athenry, with business interests across both Galway City and County. Sean’s career began in the semi-state telecommunications sector, where he worked with Telecom Éireann and later Eircom for 22 years. During this time, he progressed through a wide variety of roles, from Installer to Operations Manager, gaining extensive technical and leadership experience. Following his time with Eircom, Sean joined the Health Service Executive, working primarily in database management. This role provided valuable insight into the healthcare sector and ultimately inspired Sean and Eileen to purchase a Bluebird Care franchise. In October 2008, they opened the very first franchised Bluebird Care office in the Republic of Ireland. Since then, Sean has focused on developing the organisation into the thriving and reputable service it is today, proudly supporting over 400 customers with high-quality home care and home support. Alongside General Manager Carolyn Corless and her team of over 100 colleagues, Sean has built not just a successful and sustainable business, but also a safe, supportive, and caring environment for both customers and staff. His passion for excellence has earned the organisation multiple awards, including being named Homecare Company of the Year on two occasions. Reflecting on the journey, Sean says: “Since beginning our homecare journey in 2008, both our lives and those of our colleagues and customers have been transformed in the most positive way. At the heart of this success is having the right people in place, individuals with a genuine commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our society. Knowing that together we have built something that truly makes a difference fills me with immense pride.”
Martina Molloy – Office Manager
Martina began her journey with Bluebird Care Galway in September 2012 as a Healthcare Assistant in the community. After gaining valuable frontline experience, she progressed into the office team as a Care Coordinator and now serves as Office Manager. Martina takes great pride in the varied nature of her roles within the organisation, which she considers one of the most rewarding aspects of working with Bluebird Care. Reflecting on her introduction to the sector, Martina shares: “My first introduction to Bluebird Care was witnessing first-hand the important work healthcare assistants carry out in the community when my beloved grandmother, Annie, started receiving home help. As a family we had committed to keeping her at home. She was a wonderful character and loved seeing the healthcare assistant arrive in the mornings – a friendly face and someone to chat with. Watching how these carers enriched her final years inspired me to pursue this as a career path. It is a privilege to be invited into our clients’ lives and to help them remain independent in their own homes. Every day is different, and I love how rewarding and varied our work is. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything better.” Martina’s early experience as a Healthcare Assistant gives her a deep understanding of what is required to support both clients and carers. She regularly goes above and beyond, often meeting clients and carers face-to-face, believing that the personal touch is vital. A proud moment in her career came in 2022 when she was honoured with Scheduler of the Year at the HCCI Homecare Awards, recognising her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.
Annmarie Finegan – Care Supervisor
Annmarie is the Care Supervisor for Bluebird Care Galway, with responsibility for ensuring the highest standards of service for customers while also supporting and guiding her carer colleagues to achieve their full potential. She began her career with Bluebird Care in 2010 as a Healthcare Assistant, spending eight years working directly in the community. During this time, Annmarie became a Mentor to her colleagues, sharing her experience and providing support in the field. Her dedication and leadership led to her progression into the management team as Care Supervisor. In addition to her extensive homecare experience, Annmarie is a qualified Emergency Medical Technician and previously worked in Dublin with a private ambulance service. This clinical background adds depth to her skills and further enhances the support she provides to both customers and colleagues. Annmarie says: “I really enjoy my role as Care Supervisor, it is both rewarding and fulfilling. One of the greatest pleasures is meeting new customers at the point of assessment, when they may be nervous or unsure about accepting home support, and then seeing them flourish as they grow comfortable, enjoying the company of their carers and looking forward to visits each day. I also take great pride in training and mentoring colleagues, especially those who are new to care, and watching them gain confidence and thrive in their roles. Because I began my journey as a Healthcare Assistant, I can truly relate to the challenges and perspectives of both carers and customers, which helps me add value to their lives every day. What makes me proudest is seeing the strong, lasting relationships we build, many of our customers have been with Bluebird Care for years, and it is a privilege to support them. I feel the same pride when I see my colleagues in the community delivering excellent care & support, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside for years.” She adds: “For me, Bluebird Care is not just a workplace, it feels like a family, and I am honoured to play a part in making such a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
Katherine McGinty - Clinical Lead
Katherine joined Bluebird Care Galway in 2020 as Clinical Lead, bringing with her a wealth of nursing experience and a lifelong passion for caring for older people. She is a qualified Registered General Nurse and holds a B.Sc. in Community Nursing with a Specialist Practitioner qualification. Katherine began her nursing career in London, training on acute wards dedicated to the care of older people. It was here that she developed her deep respect and passion for working with older patients. She later transitioned to community nursing, where she obtained her nursing degree and further expanded her skills. During this period, Katherine developed a specialist interest in continence care, working for a time as a Continence Nurse Specialist, supporting patients with dignity and compassion. Her career then progressed into leadership when she became Director of Nursing within the nursing home sector. In this role, Katherine worked closely with HIQA inspectors to improve standards of care, ensuring that residents received the highest level of support and attention. Since joining Bluebird Care, Katherine feels she has come “full circle,” returning to her passion of helping older people and those with complex needs to live well and independently in their own homes and communities. Katherine says: “It is my privilege to be part of the team at Bluebird Care. I have always loved working with older people, and this role allows me to continue supporting them to live their best lives at home. ”Outside of work, Katherine is an avid GAA and soccer supporter, enjoys musicals and reading, and most of all, treasures time spent with her family. She adds: “My family and community are at the heart of who I am, and they inspire me every day to give my very best to the families I care for.”
Marian Kennedy - Junior Auditor
Marian brings a wealth of varied experience to her role with Bluebird Care Galway. With a professional background in both childcare and airport screening, she developed strong skills in responsibility, organisation, and working with people from diverse backgrounds. Following the pandemic in 2021, Marian was inspired to transition into the home care sector, driven by a deep personal appreciation for the value of in-home support. This passion stemmed from her own family experience. When her grandmother received home support services, Marian witnessed first-hand the comfort, reassurance, and dignity it brought not only to her grandmother but also to her wider family. This left a lasting impression and sparked her desire to play a role in ensuring other families could benefit from the same high standard of care. Marian began her career with Bluebird Care as a Home Care Coordinator, dedicating herself to ensuring that clients received compassionate, reliable care tailored to their needs. She quickly became known for her strong commitment to quality and her ability to guide and support families through often challenging times. Recently, Marian’s role has changed to helping the Quality and Clinical Governance team by carrying out internal audits, where she works closely with the team to maintain the highest standards of service delivery, ensuring that care remains consistent, safe, and person-centred. Marian says: “I’m committed to supporting families through the home care process, creating an environment where both clients and caregivers feel heard, valued, and well-supported.”
Rachel Barrett – Care Coordinator
Rachel Barrett began her journey with Bluebird Care in 2011 as a dedicated Healthcare Assistant. Over the years, she has grown both personally and professionally within the organisation, crediting Bluebird Care for its ongoing support through various life changes. “Bluebird Care was always very understanding and accommodating when I needed it most,” she reflects, “which allowed me to meet both personal and professional challenges head-on.” Known for her warmth and positive energy, Rachel describes herself as a “very colourful carer”, a personality trait that continues to brighten the days of both clients and colleagues. Her natural empathy, sense of humour, and commitment to person-centred care quickly made her a valued member of the team. Rachel has since transitioned from frontline care to a key role in the Galway City office, where she now works as a Care Coordinator. “I really enjoy the daily challenges my current role brings,” she says. “It pushes me to grow and makes every day both interesting and rewarding.” Rachel values the strong sense of camaraderie among the team and the supportive work culture. “I’ve found a really good work-life balance here at Bluebird Care, and I genuinely love working alongside such fantastic colleagues every day.” Rachel continues to bring colour, compassion, and commitment to everything she does.
Nicki Roche – Care Manager
Nicki Roche is the Care Manager for Bluebird Care Galway. She brings both professional expertise and a deep personal motivation to her role. Reflecting on her journey, Nicki explains: “From a young age, I saw first-hand how vital support is to an individual and their family. That experience had a huge impact on me and gave me a lifelong drive to help and support others.” Nicki graduated in 2011 with an Honours Degree in Social Care Practice from Athlone Institute of Technology. She went on to work with young people in Residential Care and later supported students in Access and Disability Services. In 2017, she joined Bluebird Care as a Social Care Practitioner, inspired by her desire to work directly with people in the community. Today, Nicki leads a busy and dynamic role as Care Manager. While the position carries great responsibility, she finds it deeply rewarding. She is dedicated to ensuring every client receives the highest standard of care and is equally committed to supporting and guiding her colleagues. Her passion for helping others drives her to always give her best. Nicki says: “I thoroughly enjoy my job. It is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of supporting clients in their own homes and to work alongside such dedicated staff. I love hearing our clients’ amazing life stories, supporting colleagues in their work, and seeing the difference even small acts can make. I feel truly blessed to serve as Care Manager for Bluebird Care Galway.” Nicki is inspired by Richard Branson’s words: “There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions – in a way that serves the world and you.”