Denis O’Reilly
Managing Director
“We set up our tour and event management company in 1997. The two main activities of the company are, The Wild Wicklow Tour, which brings c.20,000 tourists to Glendalough every year and corporate event management.
In 2008 I became a volunteer with Special Olympics and had such a wonderful time organising Family Days, I thought, I have to change the direction of our corporate events and offer our clients an opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction that volunteering brings. Also we could see a lot of companies truly wanted to do something more meaningful than shooting clay pigeons!
We launched Difference Days in 2009 to facilitate corporate socially responsible events. We have had such a wonderful time working with fantastic positive people who want to make a difference.
I manage the projects from the initial instruction and enjoy being “fully hands on” on the day.
I am passionate about what we do because it matters to do things that matter!”
Angela O’Reilly
Director
My role in the company is planning and logistics.
Difference Days has brought a wonderful sense of humanity to my work. It is a joy to plan these events, sourcing projects in need and matching them with teams of volunteers.
Weeks and sometimes months of planning go into creating a Difference Day. Seeing what can be achieved in a single day with an enthusiastic workforce is incredibly uplifting. It is sometimes hectic getting everything together but always great fun.
Difference Day Project Team
We have a great team of professionals who help us on our Difference Days to ensure all works are carried out safely and to the highest standard.
John Mellerick
Painter/Decorator (John Mellerick Painting and Decorating)
John is an experienced painter and decorator whose team prepare and oversee all decorating jobs to ensure a perfect finish. John project managed the completion of five painting projects with the MARS Ireland team in one afternoon at St Catherine’s Special Needs School in Newcastle, Co Wicklow.
Maurice Byrne
Timber Decking and Landscaping Specialist (Orchard Landscapes & Timber Specialists)
Maurice is our expert for all decking and timber based projects. He designs and quantifies materials required and instructs the companies on the day what to do. In a recent project for Hostelworld.com he was instrumental in ensuring an amazing deck was constructed in a day at Sunbeam House Services, Bray Co Wicklow.
Gerard Courtney
Handyman
Gerard is our “Mr Handyman” – he can fix and make most things. In a recent project for Distilled Media he project managed the successful construction of a sensory vegetable garden for St Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired.
Derek Halpin
Landscaper (Sunscapes Design)
Derek plans any landscaping jobs that may be involved in the project, he purchases all the plants and any other materials that may be required. On the Difference Day, Derek and his team are on hand to guide the staff through their work.
Donal Mc Kiernan
Builder (DMK Construction Ltd)
Donal and his team are responsible for any building work that may be required. He also organises materials / plant hire etc.
Rosie Archer
Interior Designer
Rosie is on hand with new and exciting design ideas for interiors should any projects be in need of a makeover. In a recent project Rosie has helped create and furnish wonderful chill out rooms in a special needs school.
Nikki Roberts
Mural Artist
Nikki is our talented mural artist who sketches the murals in advance on school walls and then your staff paint the cartoon characters to numbers. In a recent project for MARS Ireland they painted wonderful murals at St Catherine’s Special Needs School, Newcastle, Co Wicklow.
Have a look at Nikki’s recent work at St Catherine’s.
Bill Dowling
Video Production (The Courtyard Studios)
Bill is behind the camera capturing all the special moments that make your Difference Day, see some of his excellent work from other projects on this website.
Berna and David Williams
Caterer (Thyme Out, Dalkey)
Berna and David prepare delicious gourmet lunches from their wonderful delicatessen Thyme Out in Dalkey. Their yummy packed lunches make sure the workers are bursting with energy and ready to go.