Michelle Drury BL

In her new role, Ms Drury will lead ICEL’s mission to promote knowledge, understanding and engagement with European law in the island of Ireland. She will oversee the centre’s programme of events, training and publications, and will work closely. With members and partners to ensure ICEL continues to be a leading voice in European legal debate and education.

Ms Drury is a practising barrister and previously qualified as a solicitor. She has more than 12 years’ experience working in multiple jurisdictions, including with leading commercial law firms in Sydney, Dublin and the Cayman Islands across regulatory, commercial and financial services sectors.

Mr Justice Anthony M Collins, president of ICEL, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michelle as executive director. Her vision, expertise, and commitment to public legal education will strengthen ICEL’s role in fostering informed discussion and understanding of European law in Ireland.”

ICEL also paid tribute to Eoin Delap BL, who steps down as chief executive officer after four years, leading the centre’s events programme from the pandemic to more than doubling the annual revenues of the centre. 

Mr Delap was responsible for a number of notable events, including initiating ICEL’s annual reviews of the CJEU, and its annual human rights conferences, as well as implementing significant governance changes.