Many of our Sharing Good News readers will not know that our very own General Secretary for the Irish Synodal Pathway – Julieann Moran – is also a trailblazer on the international stage of target shooting! Recently Julieann made history as the first Irish woman to win a world championship medal in gallery rifle shooting. Competing from 8-10 November in the German Open, in Leitmar, at the International Gallery Rifle Federation (IGRF) World Championships, Julieann claimed bronze in the Women’s Individual World Championship Competition.
Julieann’s journey into target shooting began in 2017 – with some hesitation – when she responded to an invitation to attend a ladies day in a local club, but this very quickly grew into a passion. This same determination is evident in her creating of spaces for marginalised voices in her work on the Irish synodal journey. Julieann went on to found ‘Women in Shooting Sports Ireland’, an initiative encouraging women to enter a traditionally male-dominated sport. Her achievement in Germany – competing alongside world-class marksmen – and securing Ireland’s first women’s medal in the discipline, testifies to Julieann’s commitment to amplifying unheard voices and greater inclusion. Her perseverance, discipline, and ability to foster inclusion in the sport – qualities that resonate deeply with her work in leading the Irish Synodal Pathway – exemplify how being dedicated to one’s passion can inspire transformation across very diverse spheres.
This ethos mirrors Julieann’s role in the Irish Synodal Pathway. Tasked with fostering inclusion, listening, and dialogue across Ireland’s parishes and dioceses, Julieann brings the same passion and resilience to her faith-driven mission. Just as she champions recognition and support for underrepresented groups in shooting sports, she is also working tirelessly to create a process where everyone, especially the marginalised, feels heard and valued.
Reflecting on her championship experience, Julieann said, “Competing on the world stage was a tremendous reminder of how shared goals, mutual respect, and a spirit of inclusion can bring people together in incredible ways.”
In the context of the Irish synodal pathway, as Ireland navigates a new chapter of faith engagement, Julieann’s dual success, as a pioneering athlete and a female leader in the Church, offers a compelling testament to how courage and dedication can transform not only individual lives but entire communities. Julieann’s message remains clear: with focus, faith, and respectful determination, both personal and communal goals can be achieved.
For more information on the Irish Synodal Pathway see www.synod.ie.
