About Us
We are a new national voice for co-operative, inclusive and democratic enterprise on the island of Ireland. We unite, promote and advocate for a broad family of enterprises owned and governed by the people they exist to serve: their members, workers, producers and communities.
Who we are
Co-operatives Ireland (CIRL) is a national federation representing co-operatives of every kind, alongside other inclusive and democratic enterprises. Our members include worker, consumer, community, producer, housing, credit and multi-stakeholder co-operatives, as well as mutuals, employee ownership trusts and community land trusts.
Ireland’s co-operative movement is diverse and long-established, but until now it has lacked a voice for co-operatives irrespective of sector. We were created to bring that voice together: to advocate for modern legislation, to press for supportive policy, and to secure fair access to the support and resources co-operatives need to thrive. Our aim is to make the co-operative model a mainstream choice for communities, workers and entrepreneurs across the island.
We believe in co-operation, not competition. We work constructively with everyone who shares our commitment to an inclusive and democratic economy, and we are not an exclusive organisation: members are welcome to belong to other federations and representative bodies too.
Our purpose and values
The direction that guides everything we do.
Our vision
An Ireland where inclusive and democratic business models are at the heart of thriving and sustainable communities.
Our purpose
To unite, promote and advocate for co-operative, inclusive and democratic enterprise, empowering members, workers and communities to build thriving, sustainable communities through co-operation.
Our mission
To empower and grow the inclusive and democratic economy by being the voice of co-operation and democratic ownership.
The co-operative principles
Everything we do is grounded in the internationally recognised co-operative principles set out by the International Co-operative Alliance. These seven principles have guided co-operatives worldwide for generations.
- Voluntary and open membership
- Democratic member control
- Member economic participation
- Autonomy and independence
- Education, training and information
- Co-operation among co-operatives
- Concern for community
At the heart of them is a simple idea: enterprises should be owned and governed by the people they exist to serve, and run for their benefit rather than to generate a return for outside shareholders. That principle of shared ownership and democratic control is what unites the movement we represent.
Our guiding principles
Alongside the co-operative principles, a set of our own principles guides how we work as a federation.
Be Inclusive
We are building an open and diverse movement, and we actively welcome members from across the whole of the co-operative and democratic economy, making sure their voices are heard.
Be Democratic
We are building a democratic movement, with the processes and the culture to let every member take a meaningful part in Co-operatives Ireland.
Be Focused
We are driven by impact, and we concentrate our energy where it makes the greatest difference for the movement.
Be Lean
We keep our processes lean and our overheads low, so that our resources go directly towards advancing our vision and mission.
Be Positive
We make the case for the Ireland we want to build rather than opposing others. We seek partnership and alignment wherever we can, and disagree respectfully where we cannot.
Be Co-operative
We work at our best when we work together for mutual benefit, each of us taking ownership and accountability for how we contribute.
Be Sustainable
We are building a resilient organisation for the long term, while advocating for the systemic change needed to address the climate crisis.
Be Unique
We were founded to address a real gap in the movement, not to duplicate the work of others. We focus on what is distinctly ours to do.
How we are governed
Co-operatives Ireland is governed by a Board elected by our members. The Board oversees our strategy, keeps us compliant with our policies and the law, and upholds the values and principles that guide the co-operative movement. We operate under a Constitution that sets out our purpose, structure and decision-making processes.
Members are at the heart of our governance. They shape our priorities, influence our policy positions, and take part in key decisions through consultations, working groups and general meetings. Each full member has a vote on major matters, so our direction is genuinely driven by those who make up our federation.
Our Board is made up of nominees from member organisations and individual members. Its composition is five members elected by full members, two members elected by associate members, and two members who may be appointed by the Board to bring specific skills, expertise or experience not otherwise represented. We have an interim Board, appointed at formation, which will serve until our Annual General Meeting in 2028 and will then be subject to re-election by our members.
Our Governing Documents
Our Constitution sets out our purpose, membership and governance, and our By-laws hold the more detailed rules the Board makes under it.
Our Board
Patrick Doyle
Board Chairperson
Chairperson, Society for Co-operative Studies in Ireland
Author of Civilising "Rural Ireland: The co-operative movement, development and the nation-state, 1889-1939"
Cathy Coote
Board Member
CEO and Founding Member, An Mheitheal Rothar
Board Member of Community Reuse Network
Gearóid Fitzgibbon
Board Member
Co-Vice Chair and Founding Member, Ecovision Tipperary Energy Communities Co-op
Former Chairperson, Changing Ireland Community Media Limited
Isabel Power
Board Member
Committee Member, Cork Student Housing Co-op
Former Management Committee Member, East Clare Community Co-op
Aoife Smith
Board Member
CEO and Founding Member, Great Care Co-op
Board Member, National Community Care Network
Secretariat
Sam Toland
Secretary
Frequently asked questions
A co-operative is an enterprise owned and democratically controlled by its members, to meet their shared economic, social and cultural needs, rather than to generate a return for outside shareholders. Members can be its customers, employees, residents, suppliers or wider community.
Membership is open to primary co-operatives and federations, inclusive and democratic enterprises (such as mutuals, community land trusts and employee ownership trusts), and supportive organisations and individuals who share our values.
During our founding phase we are not asking members for a fee. Our Constitution allows for a modest future contribution, set by members at a General Meeting, with allowances for very low-turnover co-operatives and those in difficulty.
Yes. We believe in co-operation, not competition. You are welcome to belong to multiple federations and representative bodies, and we work constructively with all who share our values.
We are governed by a Board elected by our members, under a Constitution that sets out our purpose, structure and decision-making. Members shape our priorities through consultations, working groups and general meetings.
We are a co-operative registered as a company limited by guarantee (CRO 819010). We intend to transition to the new Co-operative Society legal form once it becomes available.
Be part of it
Co-operatives Ireland is member-owned and member-led, and there’s a place here for co-operatives, inclusive and democratic enterprises, and individuals who share our values. We’d love to hear from you.