Irene is delighted with the invitation to adjudicate the Tipperary Drama Festival in Holycross. This is her first time adjudicating in her home county! She participated in this festival as director and actor over 20 years ago. She has worked in the Drama Department in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick & currently tutors with Hibernia College in the areas of Drama, Literacy and Integrated Arts. She also designs and delivers CPD courses for teachers & practitioners in Process Drama as well as holding workshops in acting, ensemble work and directing. Her interest in the Expressive Arts has led her to create courses for Baboró International Festival, Youth Groups, Intercultural Centres, Play Therapy & Psychotherapy groups etc. Her love of performance is equalled by her regard for drama as tool for learning & healing. The unpredictable, energetic and open-ended nature of process drama creates an affective learning ground within thought-provoking situations. She has taken many roles with Nenagh Players, Aisteoirí an Aonaigh, Nenagh Choral Society & Dramsoc NUIG. As well as acting she has directed many plays and served her time on Lighting, Sound, Wardrobe and Stage Management. Irene’s love of working in the area of the arts expands to choreography for Kids On Stage, Musical Theatre School, leading an a capella choir The Village Singers and holding Harmonic Singing weekends & workshops. And so, to marry her love of drama with her keen interest in nurturing people’s ability to improve their craft she found the ideal opportunity in adjudicating. She enjoys the dual role of analyst and adviser; she always looks forward to studying the plays and loves the public and private critique as well as meeting the hard-working drama groups to discuss the fruits of their toil and commitment. Her honest and well-researched adjudications, plus her style of delivery and communication, with her eye for detail and regard for the playwright’s intention makes her a popular adjudicator at One Act and Full Length festivals with audiences and participants alike.
