Eight-time All-Ireland winner named as new Sanctuary Runners CEO
Play Darragh Michael In Bringing Kenneth Together Munities Runners Closer Ireland Picture: Macauley: All Role Island The ' 'sanctuary Has O’halloran To A Of Over
Eight-time All-Ireland winner Michael Darragh Macauley has been announced as the new CEO of Sanctuary Runners.
In joining the solidarity-through-sport initiative, the decorated former Dublin midfielder replaces founder and former CEO Graham Clifford, who stepped aside at the end of last year to take up a new position developing the organisation internationally.
Sanctuary Runners was established in January 2018 to enable Irish residents to run alongside, and in solidarity with, people living in Ireland’s Direct Provision system.
A non-political organisation focused on community integration, it now has 40 groups across the country and plans to build more, both at home and abroad. In 2022, with support from Swim Ireland, it established a Sanctuary Swimmers initiative.
Announcing Mr Macauley’s move into the CEO role, Sanctuary Runners said that since his retirement from inter-county football in 2021, the All-Star had helped build communities which bring "people of all different backgrounds together, treating people with respect and using sport to break down barriers to community integration”.
The Dubliner has long been involved with North East Inner City (NEIC), an initiative to oversee the long-term social and economic regeneration of that area of the capital.
“As someone who has always believed in the power of sport for social good, I have been a huge supporter of the work Sanctuary Runners has done over the last few year,” Mr Macauley said on Tuesday.
“Now, more than ever, Sanctuary Runners has a role to play all over the island of Ireland in bringing communities closer together. I’m excited to help grow our message of Solidarity, Friendship, Respect over the coming years."
Mr Clifford said he was “delighted” that the initiative he founded would now have Mr Macauley at the helm.
“We’re just overjoyed, Michael Darragh is a legend on and off the field. He’s displayed through his work in recent years how much he values community in all its rich and wonderful diversity,” he said.
“His combination of proactivity, passion and energy are a formidable cocktail and we’re all looking forward to working with him to achieve our mission of building more socially cohesive, sound and respectful communities.
"I’m a Kerryman, so he broke my heart many times over the years — but that’s mostly forgiven now,” said Mr Clifford.
Anna Pringle, Chair of the Board of Sanctuary Runners said Mr Macauley's appointment comes at a time of great growth for the movement.
“Sanctuary Runners has gone from strength to strength. We now have groups all over Ireland, led by very dedicated local volunteers who are helping integrate communities through running, walking and even swimming together,” she said.
“We are very excited to welcome Michael Darragh as CEO. His energy and leadership will provide a huge boost as we continue to grow in Ireland and beyond.”
On October 19, Sanctuary Runners will hold its first Global Solidarity Run in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland Funds and Strava.
More information can be found at www.sanctuaryrunners.ie.