Sinead Walsh

Sinead Walsh is Principal Research Fellow on climate at ODI Global and an independent consultant and author. Until 2025 she served as Climate Director in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Prior to this she served as the EU Ambassador to South Sudan and Ambassador of Ireland to Sierra Leone and Liberia and the Head of Irish Aid in the two countries. Before joining the government, Sinead spent ten years in the NGO sector in India, Pakistan, Rwanda and South Sudan, mostly working with Concern. She has a PhD in Social Policy from the LSE. She is the author of the 2025 book 10 Lessons in Localisation and the  co-author of Getting to Zero: A Doctor and A Diplomat on the Ebola Frontline (2018). After returning from South Sudan in 2020, Sinead heard about Sanctuary Runners and joined our Poppintree group after COVID restrictions ended. She now runs, not particularly fast, in Fairview.