
Meet the Committee
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Jim McKiernan
PRESIDENT
I grew up in Dublin and have been living in Basel since 1992. I worked as a management consultant in the pharma industry with projects throughout the world and especially with several sites in Ireland. I enjoy exploring cultures, traveling, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
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Marion Baechlin-Cunningham
VICE PRESIDENT
Marion was born and reared in Galway City where she attended Irish-speaking schools and later graduated in English, French and Mathematics with a teaching Diploma from Galway University. In 2000 she completed an MA in English Literature with the Open University London.
Marion got caught by the travel bug early – travelling to England, France and the USA in student days, then taught English in Algeria where she met her Basler husband, Michael. In 1985 they moved to Indonesia with their 2 children Saoirse and Aonghus. After 7 years teaching at International schools in Indonesia, she returned to Switzerland in 1992 with her husband Michael and daughters Saoirse and Órla and then taught English at the FMS Basel for 23 years.
Marion is passionate about Irish dancing, attending classes in Basel, loves jogging, hiking, travelling and reading. Her love of the Irish language motivated her to set up the Irish conversation group Ciorcal Comhrá in August 2021 which meets fortnightly on Tuesdays to chat in our beloved Gaeilge.
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Liam Maxwell
TREASURER
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Silva Dorang
COMMUNICATIONS
I’ve lived in Dublin from 1997 to 2020 before moving to Basel. Volunteering with the Basel Irish Club helps me stay connected to Ireland and brings me immense joy. It allows me to bring people together and share the rich culture of Ireland with the local community. My three passions are rugby, music and theatre. As James Joyce wrote in "Ulysses": "When I die Dublin will be written in my heart."
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Michelle Ryan
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING