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.
Dunamaise Arts Centre Board of Directors
The Laois Arts Theatre Company CLG t/a Dunamaise Arts Centre Board members are as follows:
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
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
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
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
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
Ailish Leavy is a native of Portarlington with a background in Performing Arts. She holds a BA in Drama and Theatre studies from Trinity College Dublin, and is currently completing an MA in Social Care and Social Justice at ATU Sligo. In 2010, Ailish founded Duked Productions and spent the following few years directing and producing shows touring Ireland. Ailish has worked as a drama facilitator for many years in various settings including youth clubs, schools, stage schools and Mosney direct provision centre. While working at the Mosney centre, Ailish and the young people formed Ninth Star Theatre Company, and the company performed in the Abbey theatre in 2018. Ailish has a keen interest in devising original work and is currently writing a musical called Finding Chemo. Appointed: 16/5/2023.
Donal Brennan Appointed: 19/1/2022
Cllr Padraig Fleming Appointed: 15/7/2024
Cllr Tommy Mulligan Appointed: 15/7/2024
Cllr Vivienne Phelan Appointed: 15/7/2024.