We were delighted to welcome Waterford theatre maker and actor Niamh Fennessy to Theatre Royal as part of Gap Day 2026, a national initiative funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.

Gap Day offers professional freelance theatre practitioners across Ireland paid time and space to pause, reflect and plan. Artists are invited to spend the day however best supports their creative process, whether reading, writing, thinking, walking, drawing or dreaming, focusing on the work they rarely have time for within the demands of everyday practice.

Niamh Fennessy is a theatre maker and actor from and based in Waterford, and a graduate of MTU Cork School of Music, where she completed a BA in Theatre and Drama Studies and began her playwriting journey. Her most recent work, the one-woman play ‘Glue’, enjoyed a two-night run at Theatre Royal last August, supported by Little Red Kettle. Her second play, ‘Guts’, was workshopped by Rough Magic Theatre Company as part of their Page to Stage collaborative training initiative with Theatre Royal in July 2025.

Alongside her writing and performance work, Niamh has extensive experience backstage, having worked in stage management roles with companies including Curious State, Red ‘N Blue and Little Red Kettle. She also served as Assistant Director on Shakespeare Squared’s Twelfth Night.
Niamh teaches weekly drama workshops with Little Red Kettle and co-facilitates their Culture Club programme, where she is deeply committed to empowering young people to explore all aspects of drama and creativity in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Speaking about the opportunity, Niamh said:

“I’m so delighted and grateful to receive ongoing support from the wonderful team at the Royal, and to have been chosen by the Gap Day team to be part of this year’s initiative. These kinds of supports are invaluable to artists trying to create work they’re proud of and to make a living here in Ireland — especially in my home town, and in one of my favourite places, Theatre Royal, where my theatrical journey began.”