About

About Us

BITE is a registered charity which was established in 1989 to increase the number of young people from Ballymun schools going to Third Level Education.

Mission Statement
‍BITE’s aim is to support young people from Ballymun go on to Third Level Education.

‍Strategic Objectives
We support academic achievement.We provide advice on pathways into third level education.We support students in their transition to third level education.We promote our programme aim and activities.We collaborate with local community groups and education providers.We fundraise to deliver and expand our supports.

Our Values
Ambition – we inspire high student motivation, focus, effort and commitment towards fulfilling their academic potential and achieving their educational aspirations.
Collaboration – strong, mutually-beneficial partnerships as we engage with young people, their families, education providers /practitioners and community groups.
Engagement– our actions will make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people and their families.
Integrity –we operate under the principles of openness, transparency, equality, justice and diversity.

Our people

The Bite Team

Diane McSweeney

Hi there, I am the programme director of BITE. Coming from Finglas and being the first in my family to access college, I know how transformative and empowering education can be, but I also know there still exists many barriers.
My work is to support students and their families not only to overcome but dismantle these barriers through supporting aspirations and academics.
Before coming to BITE, I studied Communications in DCU before completing my Masters in Equality Studies in UCD and worked for several years with Science Gallery Dublin and Trinity Access Programme on widening participation and inclusion programmes and the Dáil as a Parliamentary Assistant.
Educational equality has always been at the heart of my work, and I’m honoured to led BITE, a charity with such an important history. Founded in the absence of a national strategy for third level participation, BITE was and continues to be an originator when it comes to educational access.

Our people

Our Board

Jade Mc Donagh

Mary MacCarthy

I'm Mary MacCarthy. After leaving school I studied Science in UCD and then went to Trinity where I took a H-Dip ED. I've been a teacher for over forty years, and taught in Trinity Comprehensive for thirty one years. Over those years in Trinity I taught Science for most of the time, but spent a few years working as the Home School Liaison teacher, where I worked with parents, engaging them in the school, which in turn helped them to ensure their children's full participate in education, and helping the students to achieve their full potential.

Since I've retired I come into the school each week and I work with sixth year students who need support in Biology. By the time my teaching days ended in Trinity there were many students who found that I had in fact also taught their parents. I joined the Board of BITE ten years ago.

I have been on the BITE Board since 2016. I grew up in Ballymun and attended local primary and secondary school, before advancing to DCU to complete my bachelor’s degree in business studies. I have held several senior roles across the financial services sector for more than 17 years, most recently becoming the Head of Bank Staff Policy and Governance with the Irish Banking Culture Board.

Throughout my school days, BITE was a continual positive presence for me. I am one of several students from my Leaving Certificate class who progressed to third level education with the assistance of BITE. I am passionate about helping students to advance their education and believe in themselves. I know first-hand the real difference that BITE can make. I am proud to sit on the Board and have the opportunity to help with the work of BITE.

Susan Kilpatrick

Susan Kilpatrick is Deputy Principal at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, where she has worked in a variety of roles since 2002. She began her career with the School Completion Programme before moving into teaching History, Religion, SPHE, and CSPE. Over the years she has served as SENCO, Year Head, and Associate Literacy Advisor with the NBSS, and later as an NCSE Advisor on the Inclusion and Behaviour Teams. Appointed Deputy Principal in 2021, Susan is committed to creating inclusive, trauma-informed school communities that promote both student wellbeing and academic success. She was a member of the NCCA Senior Cycle SPHE Development Group and contributes to her community through board membership with BRYTE and BITE, supporting student wellbeing and pathways to third-level education. Most recently, Susan has completed leadership and trauma-informed training to further strengthen her practice as an educational leader.