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Our Staff and Board

Dunamaise Staff Team

Dunamaise is operated by a small team of committed individuals with various specialisms and we have a blended approach of working within the venue and remotely. Our team is proud to work together to deliver the mission and goals of Dunamaise for our artists and audiences. The best way to contact us directly is by email.

Michelle de Forge

Director

Nick Anton

Technical Manager

Reuben Cummins

Deputy Technician

Laura Amy Dunne

Box Office Manager

Lorraine O’Callaghan

PR & Marketing Manager

Martina Lawless

Front of House Manager

Shirley Kwan

Administration Assistant

Email: accounts@dunamaise.ie
or call 057 866 3355

Dunamaise Arts Centre Board of Directors

The Laois Arts Theatre Company CLG t/a Dunamaise Arts Centre Board members are as follows:

Donal Brennan, Chairperson, is a Laois County Council Director of Services with responsibility for Corporate Affairs, Climate Action, Community and Information Technology in Laois County Council.

Date of Appointment: January 2022

Alan Dunne, Company Secretary, is a Business Consultant and a native of Portarlington. His background in business includes Director and Senior Executive roles with AA Ireland, APCOA Parking and Liberty Insurance. An occasional musician (who once performed in Dunamaise) he is a regular gig- and theatre-goer and is passionate about the Arts. Alan lives in Dublin and retains close family and social connections with his home county.

Date of Appointment: May 2022

Fiona Saunders, Deputy Chairperson, has lived and worked in both Ireland and abroad since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. She subsequently completed a Photography Degree in London and worked for nearly a decade as a professional photographer, hence her interest the Arts. With experience also of running a hospitality business in recent years, Fiona brings a range of skills to the Dunamaise Board.

Date of Appointment: May 2022

Cllr Thomasina Connell hails from Ballybrittas, Co. Laois and now lives and works in Portlaoise. She is a Fine Gael Councilor in the Portlaoise Municipal District. A practicing Solicitor, she has established a thriving legal practice locally and is a strong voice for the local business community.

Date of Appointment: June 2019

Diarmuid Cushen is from Stradbally, Co Laois, and works as a Policy Specialist with the Central Bank of Ireland. His experience extends across operations, communications, policy development and CSR. He holds a B.A. in English Literature and Film Studies from Trinity College Dublin, an M.A. in English (Broadcast Literacy) from Queen’s University Belfast, and an M.B.A. from Dublin Business School.

Date of Appointment: May 2022

Clive Davis is originally from Vicarstown, Co Laois. He is the CEO / Regional Director of Youth Work Ireland Laois. Clive is Chairperson of People First Credit Union and a member of the board of Irish League of Credit Unions. He is also the Chairperson of the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival and the Treasure of LGBT Ireland. While working in Cork for 8 years as a community service manager he completed a Diploma in Governance, Financial and Strategic Planning at UCC.

Date of Appointment: May 2022

Jane Doheny from Mountrath, now lives and works in Portlaoise as teacher at Scoil Bhríde NS and is a member of the Management Committee of Laois Education and Support Centre. Jane trained with the Gaiety School of Acting (Acting for Stage) and is very familiar with the Dunamaise stage, as a member of Laois Open Door Drama Group, 4th Wall Laois Theatre Group and Portlaoise Musical Society, performing locally and nationally. Jane has a keen interest in history, culture and the arts and is passionate about the accessibility of the arts for all.

Date of Appointment: May 2022

Angela McEvoy, M.I.P.I. is a Senior Planner with Laois County Council since 2006 with responsibility for the Planning function of the Local Authority. Also involved with the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for Planning and Economic Development, involved in the adoption of the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) for the County in 2016 and the County Development Plan for County Laois 2017-2023.

Date of Appointment: June 2019

Cllr Noel Tuohy is a retired prison officer from Portlaoise. He is a Labor Councillor in the Portlaoise Municipal District. Noel has been actively involved in local campaign groups, most notably the Hospital Action Group, which has fought maintain most of its services. Noel is a regular performer on the Dunamaise stage with the Portlaoise Panto Society, which raises funds for local community activities.

Date of Appointment: June 2019

Cllr. Barry Walsh is from Ballyroan. A Fine Gael Councillior, co-opted to Laois County Council in February 2022, Barry has a a professional background in construction and the energy sector as a freelance quantity surveyor & BER assessor. He is involved in several local community groups ranging from sporting to development and has project managed the co-ordination of three country music festivals on Ballyroan Abbey GAA grounds.

Date of Appointment: February 2022

Aga Wypychowska is a Community Development Officer in the Laois Partnership Company, supporting Laois’ migrant community groups and intercultural dialogue. She graduated SWPS University of Social Science and Humanities as a Bachelor of Cultural Anthropology, and Munster Technological University (former CIT) in Digital Marketing. Aga worked in the field of culture management and event production in Poland, UK and Ireland and loves independent cinema and visual arts.

Date of Appointment: May 2022

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