Fionn Kidney often visited Inishturk as a child with family, who have now had a house on the island for more than 20 years. It was through running Turkfest, a small festival on the island for several years, that he came to know its people better and understand what a remarkable place and community it is. He deepened that connection by living on Inishturk during covid and working remotely, during which time the natural beauty of the island offered great solace, and the broadband offered a significantly better connection than his home in Dublin!
Over 40 years, Fionn has come to believe deeply in what Inishturk represents: a small community whose resilience, resourcefulness, and stewardship of place hold lessons far beyond its shores. In 2022 he joined the board and took up the role of Chairperson with two goals: supporting the community to set a long term vision for the island’s future, and putting the team and structures in place to deliver it. He finished his term in 2025 and remains a Director.
Fionn is CEO and co-founder of Common Knowledge, a multi-award-winning non-profit social enterprise on 50 acres in Co. Clare that has engaged more then 15k in its mission to support people and communities with the skills for a sustainable life since founding in 2021, and co-founder of Queer Sheds, a fast-growing movement of 14 LGBTQ+ communities across Ireland working to reduce isolation and support mental health. Fionn previously held leadership roles at Accenture’s global innovation centre The Dock and at Science Gallery International. A founding member and Director of award-winning theatre company Anu Productions, he has also served as a director of GAZE LGBT Film Festival.