Board & Governance

Ann Marie is co-founder and managing director of Veritas Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors. Along with completing a Master of Business in Accounting, Ann Marie is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser. Previously a trustee of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Ann Marie is a keen supporter of initiatives that encourage and promote community participation and social inclusion. Currently, she is treasurer of Network Ireland Waterford Branch, a progressive and dynamic organisation that supports the professional and personal development of women in business.  
 
Appointed 2023  
Appointed Chairperson 2025

Deirdre McSweeney works in primary education and is principal of Newtown Junior School in Waterford City.  Prior to working in the primary education sector, Deirdre qualified as a Solicitor and worked initially in commercial law in A&L Goodbody in Dublin before moving to a general practice, HD Keane Solicitors, in Waterford.  She holds a number of qualifications including a MA in Management in Education from Waterford Institute of Technology.  Deirdre is especially interested in encouraging younger audiences to engage with the performing arts.  

Appointed 2022

Freda is the Head of the National Transport Authority’s Capital Programme Office. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate from University College Cork, she subsequently qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant and later obtained a Masters in Major Programme Management from Oxford University. In her current role, Freda manages a multi-billion-euro public investment programme.   A Waterford native, Freda has been heavily involved in the arts since childhood. She trained with the De Braam School of Dance and Theatre Arts and the Richie Hayes Stage School. She has been part of countless productions with groups including Flaggy Lane Productions, De La Salle Musical Society, Waterford Musical Society, and the SouthEastern Theatre Group. Freda is particularly passionate about the role that theatre can play in fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion.  

Appointed 2025

Colette has over 40 years working in Local Government and finished her career as Chief Executive with Kilkenny County Council. Colette qualified as a Certified Accountant and holds an MA in Public Administration. Colette is currently a Director of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and is a member of its Audit and Risk Committee. Colette is also a Director of Waterford Hospice and the National Biodiversity Data Centre and a member of the EPAs Audit and Risk Committee in a voluntary capacity.
 
Colette has a particular interest in the Arts and has delivered arts infrastructure including Butler Galleries new home at the former Evans Home in Kilkenny City. Colette has a particular interest in the role arts, in all its forms, can play in social inclusion.

Appointed 2022

Donal is co-founder and co-director of Asylum Productions and has directed most of their work to date. He co-adapted and directed The Big Chapel X (Asylum, Kilkenny Arts Festival & the Abbey Theatre – nominated for 4 Irish Theatre awards).  

Other Asylum credits include The Chronicles of Oggle (“**** …pure gold…” Sunday Business Post); and Bedbound by Enda Walsh (“…completely brilliant…” The Irish Times)  

Freelance directing includes; What I (Don’t) Know About Autism for the Abbey – the first ‘relaxed performance’ in the history of the national theatre (“…**** a riveting celebration of difference…” Irish Times); and the world premiere of Chatroom by Enda Walsh at the National Theatre, London (“…a chilling and powerful tale… staged with enormous aplomb…the best possible advertisement for theatre…” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian)  

Asylum are currently Artists-in-Residence with the Watergate Theatre.  

Appointed 2024

I am a lifelong supporter of the Arts scene in Waterford. I particularly enjoy musical theatre. Stage plays that challenge our comfort zones, & forces us to rethink our often long held views, are of interest to me. One of my favourite events is the famous “Booze, Blaas, & Banter” held each October in the renowned Jordan’s Bar, feat. an eclectic mix of singers, story tellers, poets & writers in an ‘early house’ session & is truly a unique event. Primarily I want to see all forms of Art thrive in Waterford, as I believe the level & diversity of Art available in Waterford says a lot about our society, life, & people.
I am a former director & board chair of Imagine Arts Festival, & have also served on the board of Little Red Kettle for a number of years. Other experiences include serving on the board of Waterford Area Partnership as chair, Waterford Sports Partnership, St. Pauls College board as chair, Waterford College of Further Education & current national chair of the Institute of Industrial Engineers & Safety Management Systems. I am a former president of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions.
I am in my 4th term as an elected representative on Waterford City & County Council, & really enjoy representing the people of Waterford on the many challenges we face as a community both city & county.

Appointed 2018

Cllr. Seamus Ryan is a member of Waterford City and County Council representing Waterford City South Electoral Area. Seamus holds a BA in Public Administration and a BSc in Library and Information Science. He is former Librarian at Waterford Institute of Technology now South East Technological University. A current board member of the Imagine Arts Festival and member of the Planning, Culture & Gaeltacht & Gaeilge Strategic Policy Committee on Waterford Council Seamus has a keen interest in all aspects of the arts.    

Appointed 2018

Clodagh was a broadcast journalist with RTÉ for 25 years, working both behind the mic and in front of the camera. She presented TV news bulletins, edited radio news and reported for programmes like Morning Ireland, The Week in Politics and the Oireachtas Unit. She was a familiar voice on” it says in the papers “on Morning Ireland.  
Clodagh spent several years working abroad; In New York as a technical writer for a medical devices company; In London managing merchandise for some of London’s most famous West End theatres and in Italy as an English teacher in a European school.  
She is the owner of SpeakEasy Communications, helping clients hone their presentation skills and interviewing techniques.  
Clodagh was a founding member of the Red Kettle Theatre company. She also sits on the board of Waterford Youth Arts. She recently qualified as a celebrant.  

Appointed 2025