Social Partner
Community/Voluntary Representative

Manager
Regeneration of Mourne Area Ltd

Patrick Kelly joined The Bridge Partnership to represent the interests of the wider community and ensure that all such groups within the Banbridge District benefit from an integrated approach to local service delivery. He also aims to ensure the objectives of The Bridge Partnership link in well with those of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

With over 15 years experience of working in the community and business regeneration sector, Patrick is a very knowledgeable individual whose input will be invaluable to the future development of The Bridge Partnership. He is also a founding member of Regeneration of Mourne Area Ltd (ROMAL) Rural Support Network, which was established in February 1992 with the vision of building communities across South Down for the benefit of all. He is now employed by ROMAL directing and implementing a large range of community support programmes in the Newry and Mourne and south Banbridge areas. He recently pioneered a rural community mentoring programme which proved very successful and is now being replicated elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Additionally, he managed the PESCA and LEDU Community Business Programmes (Southern Area), while employed by Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency between 1992 and 1996. An approved business trainer he also facilitated the Start Your Own Business training programme on behalf of the Agency. Between 1988 and 1992 he was employed by Mentor Consultants and worked on a wide range of community regeneration projects in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including Keady, Castlederg, Irvinestown, Tullamore and Tuam. He also pioneered a primary enterprise initiative with 27 primary schools in North and West Belfast, and provided a business planning and advice service.

Patrick graduated from the University of Ulster (Jordanstown) with a Higher National Diploma in Business and Marketing in 1988 and following this he gained an Institute of Industrial Managers Diploma in 1992. Patrick devotes a lot of his time to the workings of local partnerships. He is a Trustee of the Mourne Heritage Trust and he is a Director of the Newry and Mourne LEADER+ Local Action Group and Newry and Mourne Enterprise Fund. He is also a management committee member of the Newry and Mourne Alcohol Partnership and a member of the Natural Resource Tourism Initiative Steering Group.

When not working, Patrick enjoys listening to music, helping out on his brother’s farm, sport and current affairs.