About  Us

The atim cluster brings together industry, academics, and government to unlock new opportunities for manufacturing SMEs in the Midlands and companies along the value chain.This initiative is part of a national approach led by Enterprise Ireland through the Regional Technology Clustering Fund (RTCF). 

The cluster is hosted by the Technological  University of the Shannon (TUS), Midlands Campus, and supported by regionally based partners including Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR).

Caitríona Mordan

Caitríona Mordan is the Cluster Manager

Caitriona’s role in atim focuses on brokering cross-industry, academia and government parties to facilitate exchanges, identify needs and supporting the creation of a connected regional innovation ecosystem.

Offaly native Caitríona has extensive experience in developing research and practical interventions to foster open, responsible innovation practices across academia, industry, government and citizens.

Prior to her role in atim, Caitriona worked in ADAPT, the SFI Research Centre in DCU where she was Principal Investigator for the European funded GRRIP project and specialist on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). She also coordinated initiatives for Celsius Research Cluster. This cluster is an interdisciplinary group focused on analysing current developments in science, technology, environment and medicine as well as offering practical supports on issues related to science communication and impact assessment and was central to the development of the recently formed Centre for Engaged Research (CER).

Caitríona has played an active role on The Campus Engage Working Group on Community-based Research (CBR) and Community-based Learning (CBL) ,the national CSR Forum as well as European Networks such as the European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA) .

atim cluster Ignition Team

Dr. Sean  Lyons

Dr Sean Lyons is the Dean of Faculty of Engineering & Informatics in Athlone Institute of Technology. Dr Lyons is also a former Manager of the APT Technology Gateway and is an investigator in the SFI advanced Manufacturing centre CONFIRM with his research interests focused on advanced manufacturing. Working at the interface between industry, research and academic provision, Dr Lyons is responsible for the curation, academic direction and quality assurance of the suite of Engineering & Informatics courses offered by the AIT campus, spanning NFQ levels 6-10 and encompassing apprenticeship, face to face, blended and research modes of delivery.

Andrew Lynch

Andrew chairs the European Industry 4.E Lighthouse Initiative (LIASE) within ECSEL, EU Joint Undertaking in Digital Transformation.  He is the international Vice President of the EUREKA SMART Manufacturing Board of Directors, he chairs the ManuFuture ETP Working Group (State Aid Strategies- Research & Innovation) and is the national delegate to the European manufacturing policy platform, ManuFuture High Level Group (HLG).

Andrew is on the Board of Directors of both the Irish Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTEC) and the W8 Innovation Centre (Ireland NW).  He is the founding chair of the Irish National Steering Committee on Collaborative Robotics, a member of the Ingenuity Executive Steering Committee and is on the National Advisory Board for the Digital Manufacturing Futures Centre (AIM). 

Andrew is a contributing expert on several key international policy directives for manufacturing, including the ManuFuture policy document (Vision 2030), the EFFRA Made in Europe program, ManuFuture ETP Strategic Working Group Initiatives, the ECSEL LIASE I4 Whitepaper on the Future of Manufacturing and the ECS SRA (Electronic Components & Systems, Strategic Research Agenda).

He holds a degree in biotechnology, a master’s in environmental analytical chemistry and a PhD in Engineering.  Happily married with two adored daughters, in his spare time Andrew enjoys golf, soccer and hill climbing.

John Costello

Athlone native John Costello is the Regional Skills Manager for the Midlands. John is responsible for linking the skills needs of enterprise with the Education and Training providers in the Midlands and further afield. John is passionate about working with people and skills development.

John has over 25 years’ experience in the Training and Education sector having previously worked with FAS, Solas and most recently Longford & Westmeath Education & Training Board as Area Training Manager.  John worked on national advisory groups on Apprenticeship, Quality and new course development.

John received his undergraduate education in Maynooth University, and post graduate qualification from the Athlone Institute of Technology and University of Limerick. 

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