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Professor Mary Mc Carron

Professor of Ageing & Intellectual Disab (School of Nursing & Midwifery)
      
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Professor Mary Mc Carron

Professor of Ageing & Intellectual Disab (School of Nursing & Midwifery)

 mccarrm@tcd.ie

 3531896 4880/2698


Professor Mary McCarron, PhD RNID RGN BNS FTCD is Professor of Ageing and Intellectual Disability, Director of the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) and Executive Director of the National Intellectual Disability Memory Service. She has held many senior leadership roles in Trinity College including Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Professor McCarron is the founder and Principal Investigator for IDS-TILDA, the longitudinal comparative study on ageing in persons with intellectual disability including persons with Down syndrome, a global first. IDS-TILDA increases understanding about how lives and chronic conditions change over time for this population, drives changes on healthcare practice and national health policy. Professor McCarron has also led a longitudinal cohort study of dementia in people with Down syndrome spanning over 25 years, which has led to the development of Ireland's first dedicated National Memory Service for people with an intellectual disability, where she serves as Executive Director. A champion of patient and public involvement in research (PPI) McCarron is Principal Investigator of PPI Ignite Programme at Trinity College Dublin, part of the national network among universities in Ireland funded by the HRB. She received the inaugural HRB Impact Award. She is co-applicant on the HRB's Clinical Research Network Awards for Dementia Trials Ireland (DTI), a world-class clinical trials' infrastructure to support and grow dementia intervention studies. In addition, she is the Irish Lead on the H21 Consortium working on Clinical and trial outcome measures for dementia in individuals with Down Syndrome, Professor McCarron has been a key advisor on ageing and policy issues to various governmental and other groups at a national and international level and an active member of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD).
  Aged care nursing   Ageing & Intellectual Disability - Changing Service Needs   Ageing & Intellectual Disability Issues   Ageing, Health and Intellectual Disability   Dementia in people with Down's syndrome   Mental health nursing   Palliative Care and Dementia   Palliative care nursing   People with Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's Disease
Project Title
 EQUIP: Examining Quality, Use and Impact of Psychotropic (Use) in older adults with intellectual disabilities
From
6th December 2021
To
5th May 2024
Summary
The project will use longitudinal medicines data from ten years of the IDS-TILDA and from the HSE national prescribing database to examine quality and changes in psychotropic medicines use among older adults with intellectual disabilities. The project will use longitudinal data analysis to examine the long-term side effects of these medicines and if a move to the community meant a reduction in medicines. The findings will be used by the HSE and College of Psychiatrists of Ireland to develop guidelines to improve medicines use.
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Programme
Secondary Data Analysis Projects 2021
Person Months
24
Project Title
 Breaking Barriers: Enhancing Cancer Care for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
From
1st September 2024
To
31st August 2025
Summary
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Programme
HRB Conference and Event Sponsorship Scheme (CES) 2024
Project Title
 Exploring the unmet needs of Irish cancer patients from underserved communities
From
1st March 2024
To
1st May 2025
Summary
Funding Agency
Irish Cancer Society
Programme
Improved Supports for Underserved Communities Award 2023
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Translating the HS E's National Health Promotion Strategic Framework into an accessible format to support individuals with communication challenges, to support and empower all Individuals with communication challenges with their own health and wellbeing in a person centred manner
From
1st March 2024
To
28th February 2025
Summary
Funding Agency
Avista
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Engaging the Brain through Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
From
1st March 2024
To
28th February 2025
Summary
Funding Agency
Avista
Person Months
12

Page 1 of 19
Details Date
Honorary Professor, Queen's University Belfast March 2023 - February 2026
Stewarts Care (Appointed to board February 2021) February 2021 - Present
Peamount Hospital (Appointed to board December 2018) December 2018 - Present
Member of the National Steering Committee for the National Dementia Office, HSE 2017 - Present
Advising the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Working Group on Health Outcomes for Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities 2017 - Present
Appointed by the Minister for Health to the Steering Committee of the National Trauma Strategy 2015
Dental Hospital (The Minister for Health appointed the Board in June 2015) Dental Board Meeting Performance and Succession Committee Meeting (Chair) June 2015 - Present
Board member of DOCTRID 2015 - Present
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
Member,National Clinical Programe for Older People Steering Group: The adaptation of the National Frailty Education Programme (NFEP) for the ID sector 2025 Present
Member, EQUIP Steering Committee 2022 2024
Member, Commission on Care for Older People (Department of Health) 2024 Present
Member, National Avista Dementia Strategy Group 2023 Present
Member, Digital Life Story Steering Committee (Avista) 2023 Present
Member, Menu of Life Enhancing Activities Steering Committee (Avista) 2023 Present
Member, The UK-Irish Consortium for ageing well with a lifelong disability: Priorities, perspectives and opportunities 2021 Present
Member, T21RS COVID-19 Impact group 2021 Present
Member, Independent Scientific and Ethics Advisory Board - Gene overdosage and comorbidities during the early lifetime in Down Syndrome (EU Research Project) 2020 Present
Member, Irish Gerontology 2020 Present
Member, Trisomy 21 Research Society 2019 Present
Member, National Steering Committee on Open Science, Health Research Board 2018 Present
Member and founder, National Federation Working Group on Health Outcomes for Older People with Intellectual Disability 2018 Present
Member, Steering Committee, National Dementia Office 2016 Present
Member, Trinity EngAGE, Trinity College Dublin 2010 Present
Member, HSE National Steering Group on Dementia, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies 2008 Present
Member, TILDA Steering Committee, Trinity College Dublin 2006 Present
Member, European Association of Palliative Care Taskforce on Palliative Care/End of life Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities 2005 Present
Member, International Down Syndrome Special Interest Group 2004 Present
Member, Special Interest Group (SIRG) on Aging and of the Nursing Special Interest Group 2000 Present
Advisor, Ageing related issues in persons with Intellectual Disability, Inclusion Ireland 2000 Present
Member, International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (IASSID) 2000 Present
Member, National Steering Committee, National Dementia Office, Health Service Executive (HSE) 2017 2018
Member, National Working Group on Extending Palliative Care to Persons with Advanced Dementia 2008
Member, Research Committee, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies 2008
External Member, Residential Care Standards for Older People by the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA), St. Patrick's Hospital Cashel 2008
Member, Professional Advisory Group, Alzheimer's Europe Conference 2005 2004 2005
Member, Strategic Planning Group on Older People with Disabilities 2000 2004
Chair, 2003 Roundtable Session on International Service Delivery for Persons with Intellectual Disability and Dementia, Volos, Greece 2003 2003
Guest Reviewer - Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research & American Journal of Mental Retardation
Damien Brennan, Who Cares? Negotiating & Renegotiating Care for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities - an Evaluation of Irish Disability Policy, THE CONF 2026 (Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference), Ireland, 4-5 March 2026, 2026, Conference Paper, PRESENTED  URL
Gorman, A.,Odalovic, M.,Paul, A., McCallion. P., Burke, E., MacLachlan, M., McCarron, M., Henman, M., Moran, M., O'Connell, J., Shankar, R., Ryan, C., Ryan, C. & O'Dwyer, M., Changing Patterns of Psychotropics Use Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability Over a Decade, With a Focus on Designated Mental Health Conditions, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 39, (1), 2026, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Byrne, K., Daly, B., McCallion, P., McCarron, M. & Mac Giolla Phadraig, C., The Modified Oral Status Survey Tool: Development and Psychometrics for Accessible Oral Health Data Collection, Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 2026, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Brennan Damien, D'Eath Maureen, McCarron Mary, McCallion Philip, Henderson Ciara, Trinity College Dublin, A Question of Choice? The Provision of Care for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, 2026, -, Notes: [Life expectancy of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) has steadily improved, and with this progression in longevity, there is an increased need for health and social resources. This presents a specific challenge for policymakers seeking to provide life-long care for adults with ID. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) have documented the changing health, social, and care needs of this vulnerable population highlighting the importance of planning for diverse living arrangements across the lifespan (McCarron et al., 2011; Brennan et al., 2018, 2025; McCausland et al., 2021; Sheerin et al., 2022; Burke et al., 2023). The evidence supports individualised solutions oriented around choice for both adults with ID and the families who care for them.], Miscellaneous, PUBLISHED  URL
Eilish King, Katie Cremin, Philip McCallion, Mary McCarron, Éilish Burke, Sensory Processing and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress 2026, Bangkok, Thailand, 9-12 February 2026, 2026, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED
Eilish King, Katie Cremin, Philip McCallion, Mary McCarron, Éilish Burke, Exploring Sensory Profiles of Adults Ageing with Intellectual Disabilities, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress 2026, Bangkok, Thailand, 9-12 February, 2026, Poster, PRESENTED
Lynch, L., Walsh, S., Wormald, A., McCarron, M., McCallion, P., Burke, E., Lowery, M., Mahar, A., O"Halloran, A., Ward, M., Romero-Ortuno, R., Ryan, C., & McMahon, M., Cancer and intellectual disability: Lived experiences and healthcare professionals" perspectives (The EuCan Study)., IASSIDD. (2025, October 14"17). IASSIDD 5th Asia-Pacific Congress: Person-centricity as an approach to well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Singapore, 2025, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Lynch, L., Walsh, S., Wormald, A., McCarron, M., McCallion, P., Burke, E., Lowery, M., Mahar, A., O"Halloran, A., Ward, M., Romero-Ortuno, R., Ryan, C., & McMahon, M., A longitudinal exploration of cancer and associated mortality in older adults with intellectual disability: Findings from IDS-TILDA, IASSIDD. (2025, October 14"17). IASSIDD 5th Asia-Pacific Congress: Person-centricity as an approach to well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities., Singapore, 2025, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Benejam, B., McCarron, M., Carmona-Iragui, M., Dunne, P., Maure-Blesa, L., Altuna, M., Arranz, J., Barroeta, I., Bejanin, A., Del Hoyo Soriano, L., Fernández, S., Giménez, S., Lleó, A., Lynch, L., McCallion, P., Mulryan, N., Pertierra, L., Rebillat, A.-S., Rodríguez-Baz, Í., Sanjuan Hernández, A., Vaqué-Alcázar, L., Videla, L., Wormald, A., Fortea, J. & McGlinchey, E., Factors impacting survival in individuals with Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer"s disease, Alzheimer's & Dementia, 22, (2), 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
McMahon, M., Wormald, A., Walsh, S., Eustace-Cook, J., McCarron, M., McCallion, P., Smith, V., Mahar, A., & Lynch, L., Cancer in adults with intellectual disability: a systematic review of prevalence and incidence, BMC Cancer, 25, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
  

Page 1 of 69
Dunne, P., McCallion, P., Synnott, I.F., Pavithra, P., Lavelle, L., O"Loughlin, C., Galligan, L., O"Reilly, L., Hynes, M. & McCarron, M., Engaging the Brain Through Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial for Adults with an Intellectual Disability, Avista, September, 2025, Report, PUBLISHED
McCarron, M., Daly, L.,Allen, A., Dennehy, H., Buttery, N., Corr, C., McCallion, P., Kennelly, S.,Dunne, P.,and McGlinchey, E., 'Post-diagnostic Dementia Support Guidelines for People with an Intellectual Disability', Launch of the Post Diagnostic Dementia Support Guidelines for People with an Intellectual Disability, Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, 2024, -, Broadcast, PUBLISHED
McCarron, M., Data Driven Implications for Dementia Practice and Policy, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, 17th October, 2024, Trinity College Dublin, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
McCarron, M., Leadership in Academica, Health Research and Health Care: Charting a Personal Journey, Prof. Mary McCarron Inaugural Professorial Lecture, Queen's University, Belfast, 21 May, 2024, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
McCarron, M., Leadership in Academica, Health Research and Health Care: My Journey, Laura Lynn International Nurses Day, Leopardstown, Dublin, 15 May, 2024, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Lynch, L., McCarron, M., McCallion, P. & Burke, E., Tv viewing as a proxy for sedentary behaviour among older adults with an intellectual disability, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, IASSIDD 17th World Congress 2024, Chicago, 5 - 8 August, 2024, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED
Corrigan, S., McCarron, M., McCallion, P. & Burke, E., The impact of menopause on the mental health of women with an intellectual disability, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, IASSIDD 17th World Congress 2024, Chicago, 5 - 8 August, 2024, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED
McCarron, M., Achieving equity in dementia care for people with intellectual disabilities: Standards, guidelines, memory services, and innovative models of care, Longitudinal Dynamics in the Ageing of People with an Intellectual Disability: How Evidence form IDS TILDA can inform and support strategic planning and service delivery, Charleville Park Hotel, Cork, 30 May, 2024, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED
McCarron, M., A Five-Year Strategic Plan for Dementia 2024 - 2029 - Avista Memory Assessment and Post-Diagnostic Support Service, Avista, March, 2024, Report, PUBLISHED
McCarron, M., Allen, A.P., Buttery, N., Dennehy, H., Kennelly, S., Corr, C., Dunne, P., Daly, L., McCallion P., McGlinchey, E., Voices of Experience: Building Post-Diagnostic Dementia Support Guidelines for People with an Intellectual Disability. Brief Report, 5, Trinity College Dublin, January, 2024, Report, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 16
Award Date
Winner, Health Research Charities Ireland (HRCI) Impact Award 2024
Winner, School of Nursing and Midwifery Research Impact Award 2024
Winner, Societal Impact Award, The Trinity Innovation Awards 2022
Fellow, The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) 2022
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing 2020
Winner, Inaugural Impact Award, Health Research Board 2019
Chair, Ageing and Intellectual Disability 2014
Trinity Fellow April 2011
Clinical Fellowship in Nursing and Midwifery by the Health Research Board 1999
Nurse of the Year 1993
An international expert in the field of ageing and intellectual disability, Professor Mary McCarron is the founder and Principal Investigator of the first longitudinal study on ageing in people with an intellectual disability (IDS-TILDA) to be conducted within the EU and the only study, to date, with the potential to compare the ageing process in people with intellectual disability with the general population (TILDA). The recipient of the inaugural Health Research Board 2019 Impact Award, Prof McCarron's research excellence and translational activities have been recognised as exemplary. Her sustained efforts in including people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of research was instrumental in securing an institutional Public, Patient Involvement award from the Health Research Board and Irish Research Council for Trinity College. Leading a research team focused upon ageing, intellectual disability, dementia, end of life and palliative care, Professor McCarron's work is at the forefront of addressing health and care inequities. Funded by the Health Research Board, Irish Hospice Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Department of Health, Irish Research Council, National Disability Authority, EIT Health and others, Professor McCarron's areas of focus are: Longitudinal epidemiological studies tracking the key determinants of health and wellbeing of adults with an intellectual Disability as they age. . Develop interventions models targeted at preventing secondary disability and improving quality of life and longevity for people with ID. . Longitudinal studies tracking over 20+ years the incidence, prevalence and risk factors associated with dementia in people with Down syndrome. . Working with relevant agencies to establish the first National Memory Clinic for people with ID with satellite services throughout the country with a focus on building capacity for assessment of symptoms of dementia and the standardization of assessment and diagnostic protocols. . Using a concerted and collaborative approach develop the infrastructure and networks required to establish and run large scale primary and secondary clinical trials. Work with international collaborators and the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) to develop and validate clinical trials outcome measures, and to develop pre dementia disease models by accumulating clinical and biomarker data with a focus on disease prevention and treatment in people with Down syndrome. . Work with people with ID and relevant agencies and policy makers to develop post diagnostic supports for people with ID and dementia and their caregivers and assess cost and quality of life issues in dementia care and end of life care. . Extending palliative care to persons with advanced and terminal dementia and other non-malignancies . Award-winning approaches to environmental design for those ageing with dementia;