Our People

Our Team

Claire Meaney

Claire Meaney

Director

Claire has been working with Waterford Healing Arts since 2007. A graduate of Fine Art from DIT, Claire completed an MA in Arts and Heritage Management at WIT in 2010 and wrote her thesis on The Artist’s Perspective of Making Collaborative Art in a Hospital Context in Ireland. The same year, she received an Arts & Health Bursary Award from the Arts Council to develop her arts participation practice.

Maeve Butler

Maeve Butler

Assistant Director

Maeve joined the team at Waterford Healing Arts in 2017, having worked in arts management and communications for 20 years – in theatre, dance, music, festival and venue management – and the community and voluntary sector. She holds a Master’s Degree in Cultural Policy and Arts Management from UCD and a Master’s Degree in Public Relations from DIT. Maeve’s interest in arts and health began with her MA thesis research into arts in palliative care settings in 2011, the first such research of its kind in Ireland.

Sinead Twomey

Sinead Twomey

Administrator

Sinead studied business in Waterford before embarking on a 20 year career with the HSE, working in various departments throughout University Hospital Waterford (UHW), from Procurement to the Laboratory and many more in between. Outside the HSE, Sinead is co-founder and director of Waterford based lighting design company DLight. In her free time she enjoys outdoor activities, cooking and she loves to travel.

Aisling Kennedy

Aisling Kennedy

Project Co-ordinator

Aisling joined Waterford Healing Arts in 2021 in the new role of Project Co-ordinator, managing our Iontas Arts and Mental Health programme, our exhibitions programme and the UHW Art Collection. Aisling previously worked with the Arts in Health team at Children’s Health Ireland. A graduate of the MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management at University College Dublin, she is AXELOS Global Best Practice qualified in project management and has a BA in English Literature and Art History.

Emma Eager

Emma Eager

Project Co-ordinator, artsandhealth.ie

Emma has managed artsandhealth.ie the national resource website for arts and health, on behalf of Waterford Healing Arts since 2017 and came on board as a full-time member of staff in 2022. Emma has worked in the field of arts and health since 2011, having previously been a project manager and then programme manager with Helium Arts, the national children’s arts and health organisation, with whom she developed an award-winning community film project for teenagers living with health conditions. Emma holds a B.Sc. in Communications: Film and Broadcasting and an M.Phil with Distinction in Popular Literature, both from Trinity College Dublin.

Lynn Cahill

Lynn Cahill

Music Co-ordinator

Lynn joined the Waterford Healing Arts Team as Music Co-ordinator in July 2023.  Originally from Dublin, Lynn began her career working in theatre in the 1980s and performed in the Abbey, Gate and Project Theatres for several years.  In the early 1990s, she moved to Kilkenny and, along with Richard Cook, created the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, which she produced annually until 2008.  Since moving to Waterford Lynn has taken on several roles, including Arts Manager at Christ Church Cathedral and Marketing Manager at the Theatre Royal.  Lynn has also worked on large scale projects with Waterford City & County Council including the Waterford Greenway, Winterval Festival and the Waterford Treasures Museums.  In her spare time, Lynn plays the ukulele with the Suir Ukulele Strummers and sings with the choir VOCI.

Tom Quilty

Tom Quilty

Art Installer

Tom joined the Waterford Healing Arts team in May 2022. Having trained at DIT Bolton Street, Tom honed his trade with Harvey Printers in Waterford and amassed considerable experience in print technology and techniques over many years working in the print industry. Tom says “My Dad was also in the trade and I was fortunate to witness the transition from the old systems of metal type and letterpress to digital technology processes.” Also a keen amateur photographer, with an LIPF distinction from the Irish Photographic Federation, Tom says “I like nothing better than to head off with my camera gear to capture the beautiful landscapes throughout the island of Ireland, and sometimes further afield”. Tom is also a respected fine art printer and framer, which he feels completes the circle of his photography journey.

Ann Nolan

Ann Nolan

Assistant Art Curator

Ann joined the team in 2022 as Assistant Art Curator. She supports Aisling in managing the exhibitions programme and the Art Collection of University Hospital Waterford. Ann holds a BA (Hons) from the West Wales School of Arts, an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design, USA, and a further BA (Hons) from Limerick School of Art & Design. She loves hiking in the Comeragh Mountains and the surrounding countryside, and at the weekends is often found leading groups with a local hiking club.

Ann Murphy

Ann Murphy

Assistant Arts Administrator

Ann joined the Waterford Healing Arts team in 2021. A native of Waterford City, Ann has worked in administrative roles throughout her career, with companies such as Ernst & Young and Bausch & Lomb, and also in further education. Ann has also trained in a range of complementary therapies, including Reflexology, Reiki and Aromatherapy, and has a keen interest in all forms of healing through different mediums. To relax, she enjoys her three ‘G’s: the Greenway, Gardening and Genealogy.

Our Board

Patricia Cronin

Patricia Cronin

Chairperson

Patricia Cronin is a member of the audit and risk committees in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Prior to that Patricia was Head of Governance and Operations at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. As part of the Management Team, she worked with the Minister to set the strategic direction of the Department, including overseeing the preparation of the Department’s Strategy Statement. She also managed shareholder oversight for the state bodies for which the Department is responsible and was the Programme Director for the Eircode project. She retired from the Department in 2021. Her civil service career also included head of HR for the Department and Chair of the network for senior civil servants. Patricia has a Diploma in Corporate Governance from UCD. Date appointed: 14.2.22.

Olive Gaughan

Olive Gaughan

Treasurer

Olive Gaughan is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and has worked for over thirty years within the financial services sector. She is currently a Director & Head of Actuarial with Mazars and has expertise in financial reporting, business planning, analysis of financial performance relative to plans, and capital management. She has a deep interest in the arts and is a keen amateur photographer and textile artist. She is a member of Offshoot Photography Society and holds an Associateship Distinction with the Irish Photographic Federation. Originally from the Dungarvan area, Olive is very interested in the work of Waterford Healing Arts. Date appointed: 14.2.22 

Mark Breen

Mark Breen

Mark Breen is a native of Waterford. He has been in the property investment business for the last 30 years. Mark is very active in the community and has been a member of Waterford Rotary for 20 years. He joined the Board of Waterford Healing Arts in 2017 and is enjoys contributing to the work of the organisation. Date appointed: 2.5.17

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Tom Cunningham

Tom Cunningham

Tom Cunningham is a founding Director of GNKA Consulting Ltd., a Construction Cost Consultancy and Project Management Company. A former Mayor of Waterford and former Chair of Waterford Healing Arts and Garter Lane Arts Centre, Tom currently serves on the WHA Governance sub-committee. Date appointed: 2.5.17

Joan Dalton

Joan Dalton

Joan Dalton has a BA in Art History/Anthropology and has worked as an Arts Manager and Producer for over 30 years in the US, UK and Ireland. Her work has included projects across many disciplines including photography, film, visual art, sculpture, theatre, textile design, music, literature and architecture. Recent large scale projects include The Invader – a new Irish opera, and numerous theatre productions. Date appointed: 12.04.16

Catherine Drea

Catherine Drea

Catherine Drea is a visual artist, photographer and writer. A graduate of NCAD and UCC, Catherine has a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy. She has worked as a designer, a teacher and a group facilitator. In 1994 she co-founded Framework, a charitable organisation which supported community development and equality projects in Ireland. A campaigner in a number of social movements over the years, she remains a passionate advocate of equality, creativity and the natural world. Date appointed: 2.5.17

Ryan Keane

Ryan Keane

Ryan Keane has a Degree in Law from Maynooth University as well as a Masters of Law (International Commercial Law) from UCD. He is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation and Enterprise Development at Trinity College Dublin. He is the Bid & Contracts Manager for Vodafone Business in Ireland. Having worked across corporate, commercial and technical fields, in all areas he has and continues to focus on not only delivering on KPI/Targets but also identifying process improvements, building businesses cases for and managing change. He holds a strong track record of delivering excellence in commercially challenging and highly regulated environments. Date appointed: 25.4.22

Damien McGlynn

Damien McGlynn

Damien McGlynn has worked in the cultural sector across Ireland, the UK and Europe for 15 years. He has worked with organisations such as Visual Artists Ireland, National Galleries of Scotland and Tate before joining Creative Lives (then Voluntary Arts) in 2015, becoming their Ireland Director in 2021. Damien studied Fine Art (Sculpture) at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin. His work has primarily been with charitable arts organisations and involved partnerships with artists, community groups, local government, media and international collaborations. Damien has been a keen photographer since the age of eight and still likes using film cameras. He is also a trustee of Engage and a member of the Advisory Group for Dublin City Council Culture Company. Date appointed: 25.4.22

Shirley O'Shea

Shirley O'Shea

Shirley O’Shea is a native of Waterford and was educated at Sacred Heart of Mary Convent, Ferrybank, and WIT. Shirley has always been very active in the Waterford community and has been involved with many community organisations over the years, most recently with CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). Shirley joined the Board of Waterford Healing Arts in 2015 and is currently Chairperson of the organisation’s Fundraising Committee. Date appointed: 6.2.17

Anne Woodworth

Anne Woodworth

Anne Woodworth is a professional singer and was a lecturer in Music at WIT for 25 years. She was Founder/ Director of WIT Music School and currently teaches at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She is the Director of the Bealtaine Choir, which encourages non-singers and emphasises the value of music in the health of older people. Anne has been an advisor to Waterford Healing Arts musicians and represented the organisation at the Musique et Santé conference, Paris, in 2005. In 2012, she was shortlisted for a Volunteer of the Year Award for 20 years of service, including three as Director, of Samaritans Waterford. She is currently Outreach Officer for Samaritans Ireland. Date appointed: 02.02.15.

Our Artists

Waterford Healing Arts works with a panel of professional artists from a range of artforms, who are trained to work in healthcare settings and whose skill, talent and experience, along with a high level of interpersonal skills, ensure the delivery of arts participation programmes of the highest quality. As a Waterford Healing Arts artist, each person works to our Code of Practice and has access to training, support, resources, networking and mentoring opportunities. All of our artists are engaged on a freelance basis and are encouraged to maintain their own professional practice, in addition to their work with Waterford Healing Arts.

Jill Bouchier

Jill Bouchier

Visual Artist

Art at the Kitchen Table, Iontas Arts & Mental Health programme, Open Gallery art viewing programme, Open Studio workshop

Joe Brennan

Joe Brennan

Storyteller

Storytelling in the Paediatric Ward
Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme

Alan Browne

Alan Browne

Musician

Healing Sounds live music programme

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Michelle Haberlin

Michelle Haberlin

Musician

Healing Sounds live music programme

Ciara Harrison

Ciara Harrison

Visual Artist

Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme

Liam Kavanagh

Liam Kavanagh

Musician

Healing Sounds live music programme

Liam Meagher

Liam Meagher

Theatre Maker

Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme

Liam Merriman

Liam Merriman

Musician, Trainer & Mentor

Healing Sounds live music programme, Iontas Arts & Mental Health programme

Jane O’Brien Moran

Jane O’Brien Moran

Musician

Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme

Lani O’Hanlon

Lani O’Hanlon

Writer & Movement Artist

Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme, Creative Writing Workshop for UHW staff

Eoin O Meachair

Eoin O Meachair

Mentor Musician

Healing Sounds live music programme

Eilis O’Toole

Eilis O’Toole

Visual Artist

Art Kart in the Paediatric Ward
Art at the Kitchen Table

Caroline Schofield

Caroline Schofield

Visual Artist & Mentor

Art at the Kitchen Table,
Open Gallery art viewing programme,
Will you join me in getting lost

Adele Stanley

Adele Stanley

Visual Artist / Ceramicist

Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme

George Higgs

George Higgs

Musician

Iontas Arts & Mental Health Programme

Philip Cullen

Philip Cullen

Visual Artist

Arts Programme in Renal Dialysis