OUR TEAM
Mairead O Donovan
Complex Manager
Hi, my name is Mairead and I am the Managing Director here at District Health & Leisure. Having studied Hotel & Catering Management I started off my career working in 4 & 5 Star properties in Ireland and France and gained a wealth of experience across all departments over a 16year period. I found a real love in Front Office and all that goes with it on the front line and behind the scenes.
On leaving hotels I moved to Envirobead, a construction firm closer to home where I thrived in a busy office and really enjoyed being part of the companys’ growth during that time. During this time I also studied with the National Training Centre as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer which was a passion of mine for many years. Following that I studied with Complete Body Movement in Dublin and gained my Advanced Matwork Qualification in Stott Pilates.
Fast forward a few years and I am delighted to be working here in District Health & Leisure. Having been part of the project from day 1 District is very close to my heart. It gives me a great opportunity to utilise not only my management skills but also my fitness qualifications.
I am very grateful to be surrounded by such a wonderful team and equally wonderful members. I oversee all the operations and HR here at District and also enjoy teaching a few classes each week such as toning, Aqua and Pilates.
I am a people person and love to chat and get to know our members so for those of you I have not met I look forward to doing so.
Debbie Leahy
Assistant Manager
Hi, my name is Debbie and I am the Assistant Manager here at District Health & Leisure. My main background would have been in the hotel industry where I have over 15yrs experience and most of that time would have been spent in a 5 start resort right here in Cork.
Working with the public is a passion of mine so my role here gives me the opportunity to speak to both members and guests in all areas and be available to answer any questions you may have. I’m also very involved in the ordering of products and produce which we would use here in District so in doing that with the management team we would always shop local and support our local community.
I thoroughly enjoy working here, we have a great team at District.
Alan Power
Operations Manager
Hi guys, my name is Alan Power and I am operations manager here at District Health & Leisure. I have worked in the health and fitness industry for nearly 30years. I am a Limerick man born & bred but I have been in Cork since 1998 where I worked in the Kingsley Health Club for 12 years.
I am qualified in Personal Training, Group Fitness Instructor, Sports Therapy, Lifestyle & Wellness Coach, Les Mills Body Pump, Metafit, Metapower, Zuu and Spinning to name a few. I have also worked as a Sports Therapist for South African Cycling team during Race of Ireland.
I have many hobbies throughout the years, Cross Country with Limerick AC, Munster Schools Champion at Steeplechase, various teams All Ireland.
I’ve played soccer throughout my life with Shelbourne (Limerick) and Rockville (Cork). I love music with caried taste but grew up on heavy metal/ rock and love outing my varied taste into my spinning rides. I will always do my best when I teach and I love breaking down barriers within my classes so everyone feels unique.
Brighid
Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer
17 years qualified in the fitness industry as a Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer.
- Aqua since 2008
- Level 3 Mathwork Pilates since 2008
- Satayananda Yoga teacher since 2015
Honestly they are all fun to me!!!!!! Yoga is without doubt my favourite to teach, particularly Yoga Nidra. Feeling that you might have helped someone in some way to make their journey just a wee bit easier, thats the joy, no matter what the class is. Specialist experience in working with chronic conditions in my previous work eg. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons, Stroke among many others. Greatest bit of advice – If you ask the answer is always “yes”, where there is a will theres a way, we will always try to help you, even if we don’t know the answer, we will get you to talk to someone who will have the knowledge to help you.
Michelle
Personal Trainer & Class Instructor
Hi my name is Michelle and I am a Personal Trainer and Class Instructor here at District Health & Leisure. Sport is my passion and I have an undergraduate degree in Sports Science from UL aswell as a Masters in Strength and Conditioning from Carlow IT.
I am very proud to say I have worked with the Cork Senior Ladies football team for the last 4 years. I am currently the Strength and conditioning coach with the Cork u16 Ladies football team. I enjoy teaching various classes here including Teach Bodyworx HIIT, Raise the Bar and Myzone. If you would like to book me for a free members assessment and program let me assure you I give my clients 100%
Leone
Personal Trainer & Class Instructor
Hi, my name is Leone and I am a new Personal Trainer and Class Instructor here at District Health & Leisure. I am a qualified Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor and Nutrition Coach. I Had my own fitness studio for over 10 years, have been in the fitness industry over 20 years and I absolutely love it. I am a qualified Spinning Instructor which quickly became my favourite Group Exercise class to teach. I teach a wide range of fitness classes & I try to make my classes suitable to all levels of fitness & abilities, keeping them creative and challenging.
My favourite thing about what I do is seeing how people transform both mentally and physically when they incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. I Have enjoyed meeting some of Districts members over the past few weeks and appreciate their friendly welcoming attitude toward the New “Kid” in Town😉😁
Eniola
Personal Trainer & Class Instructor
Hi Everyone, Eniola here. I’m a Personal Trainer here at District Health & Leisure. My expertise are in fitness classes, personal training and nutrition. I’m here to help you along your fitness journey.
Please feel free to approach me at the gym, for any fitness or nutrition related advice. Look forward to meeting you all.
Adam
Kickboxing & Taekwondo Instructor
My name is Adam and I have been in martial arts for 21 years between kickboxing and Taekwondo. I have 3 world titles in Kickboxing as well as several national titles and am still currently competing at an international level. I teach kickboxing as part of my club to people of all ages and levels. You can book me for assessments and programs from reception.
Claudius
Gym Instructor
Hi Everyone, My name is Claudius. I am the latest edition to the Fitness Team here at District Health & Leisure. I am a qualified personal trainer, gym & class instructor. My specialization is in toning and body transformation. I have competed in fitness competitions & undergone dramatic weight loss myself. I appreciate the challenges of a busy lifestyle & offer simple, easy to follow plans to help you achieve your goals.
Whether you are looking to loose a few pounds, get fit for a special occasion or become the best version of yourself, come and find me on the Gym Floor or in a class or pop to reception and book in for your complimentary assessment.
Nicola Waites
Membership Sales Manager
Hi there, My name is Nicola and I am the Membership Sales Manager here at District Health & Leisure. I have over 16yrs experience in Sales in the Fitness Industry. I started my journey at Source Health & Fitness back in 2006. My roles included Reception, Duty Manager and Membership Sales Consultant and I am delighted to now be back with District Health & Leisure since 2019.
I love to meet new people daily and help them get started on their Health & Fitness journey…From speaking on the phone or over email, to meeting in person for a tour. We then get to signing up and introducing our client to their trainer for their initial Assessment / Program. I am always available even after initial sign up for any queries our members may have and love to hear how you are all progressing and enjoying the experience.
District Health & Leisure, as well as visually pleasing, is the most amazing Facility with the best Staff and Members – It is a community! I get to work with the most amazing co-workers every-day and I am delighted to be a part of it. We are constantly upgrading and upskilling staff, so I am very excited for what the future holds for District. We have not even started yet!
We have a variety of Membership Packages to suit everyone and the most Amazing Classes, taught by the most experienced of Instructors which are also free with most memberships… For any sales queries, to book a tour or if you have any queries in general you can contact me on 0214757899 or email: nwaites@district.ie
Gemma Ince
Business Development Manager
Hi my name is Gemma Ince and I’m currently the Business Development Manger here at District Health and Leisure. Working with the public is my passion and my role here allows me meet new people all the time through members, suppliers, events and corporate onsite visits. My background was Advertising Sales in a high pressured environment for 20 years so my experience is perfectly suited to the varied role & challenges of Business Development Manager in such a large Leisure centre like District brings. If you have a proposal to bring a new event, rent office or studio space here at District or arrange a corporate discount for your company I would love to talk with you.
I enjoy nothing more than being a regular on the gym floor or one of the amazing classes on offer here to members and my husband and children spend as much time here as I do some days! Fitness is a healthy lifestyle we like to enjoy as a family.
Donna Barry
Swim Co-Ordinator
Catherine Verling
Swim Co-Ordinator
Kevin
Lifeguard & Swim Teacher
Hi everyone my name is Kevin I’m a lifeguard and swim teacher here at District health and leisure I have been a lifeguard for 5 years and also a level 1 swim teacher for 4 years.
My hobbies out side of lifeguard and teaching is bodybuilding I love to test myself in the gym and push myself to my best ability as much as I can to get the best results possible for myself and I try too portray this onto the kids I teach when teaching swimming lessons
“no matter how hard you think something is there’s always a way to do it you can’t spell can’t without can”
Giada
Swim Instructor
Ciao!! I’m Giada, the Crazy Italian Swimming Teacher. I’m a Level 1 Assistant Coach but soon I will be a Level 2 Coach.
I have 16 years of experience in teaching and with my background as a syncronized swimmer and dancer you can see me dancing around the building. I also teach Aqua Aerobics. I like to teach all ages and have a coffee with chats with the members.
So… don’t hesitate to call me for a swim and a coffee. if there is a cake…even better .
James
Swim Instructor
Hi everyone, My name is James and I am a swim teacher / Lifeguard here at District Health & Leisure. I have 10yrs experience as a swim teacher including a special needs swim teacher & I have 8yrs experience as a lifeguard. I am a qualified Level 1 Swim Coach and soon to be Level 2 Swim Coach.
I have 8yrs experience as a Hatha Yoga instructor. In the past I boxed competitively & have done bodybuilding in my teens and still train on a regular basis to keep fit. I am looking forward to meeting you all…
Illann
Swim Instructor
My name is Illann, and I’m a swimming coach here at District Health & Leisure. I have been a competitive swimmer for most of my life, swimming with a local club in Cork City. I swam at an Irish Division 1 Level, and was also lucky enough to compete abroad. My favourite events to compete in are 100m backstroke, 100m frontcrawl and 100m butterfly. Since retiring from competitive swimming last year, I have taken up open water swimming.
I started coaching swimming 6 years ago, and I have worked with Swim Ireland clubs, coaching pre-competitive and competitive swimmers, as well as teaching swimming lessons from beginners to advanced swimmers. 2 years ago, I completed my Level 2 Coaching qualification with Swim Ireland. I am currently studying medicine in UCC.
I love teaching beginner swimming lessons, both children & adults, and I really enjoy working on technique & advanced skills, such as diving & turns. I am more than happy to help anyone with their swimming, so please say hi next time you’re in the pool.
Sandra Gonzalez
Reception Manager
Hello there! My name is Sandra Gonzalez. I am the Reception Manager in District Health and Leisure. I have over 20 years experience in retail ,most of this was as a Travel Agent. I love being front of house and greeting all our members and their families here in District.
Emma Butler
Receptionist
Gabriella Soares
Receptionist
Kerrielee
Receptionist
Caoimhe
Receptionist
Beverly
Receptionist
LOCATION:
District Health & Leisure,
Silversprings, Cork, T23 DA00.
OPENING HOURS:
Mon to Fri: 6am – 10pm
Sat / Sun / BHs: 8am – 6pm