Our Committee
The Art for the Heart Doneraile organising committee is made up of local people with an interest in the arts, creativity and their local town of Doneraile. All the committee members are volunteers who are committed in supporting our community in the active involvement of the creative arts.
If you would like to volunteer with Art for the Heart or if you would like to support us by helping with events, we would love to hear from you at artfortheheartdoneraile@gmail.com.
Our committee, volunteers and others involved in Doneraile Art FesT 2024
Chairperson: Mary St. Leger
In 1997, Mary St Leger received a B.A in Fine Art from the Limerick School of Art and Design. A year later, she completed her Master of Art at the University of Central England. She completed her studies in 2002 by attaining a second Masters Degree in women’s studies from The University of Limerick.
Mary is a practising artist who has had group and solo exhibitions in Ireland and the UK. Her work is held in private collections in Canada, the UK and Australia. She has also been employed by the ETB for the past 16 years as an art facilitator within the mental health sphere. She strongly believes that as humans we need to allow our creative side to be encouraged and supported and given the space to flourish. Creativity can act as a conduit for greater self-esteem, communication and emotional freedom.
Treasurer: Pat Beirne
P has lived in Doneraile for over 24 years. Trained as a nurse in West London she worked in acute trauma services and community health services before becoming a manager and moving to Ireland. Recently retiring as CEO of a Cork Disability Service, she is passionate about equality and fair access. P has a lot of experience in not-for-profit and voluntary organisations, and will bring her governance skills to the organising committee.
Growing up in the Staffordshire Potteries from a long line of potters, gilders and paintresses it’s no surprise that her creative outlet is studio pottery–maybe it’s time for a Great Doneraile Throw Down!
Secretary: Ann-Marie Simpson
Ann-Marie Simpson is originally from the West Midlands in the UK and has been visiting family in Ireland for 25 years before moving to Doneraile. A highly trained massage therapist and Holistic Health Practitioner, Ann-Marie has always been creative and loves all sorts of crafts. Now she is the inspiration behind The Green Witches Holistic Centre in Doneraile Main Street.
Design & Communications: Sherlyn Coleman
Sherlyn Coleman is a wildlife and portrait artist who works mainly with coloured pencils and acrylic paints on natural, locally sourced wood. She draws inspiration from her surroundings of the Ballyhoura mountains. Saturated with dazzling colour and fine detail, many of her pieces have found their way to the likes of Australia, Japan and the USA.
Sherlyn is also a web designer, spearheading the design and building of our website as well as most of our leaflets and brochures.
Terry Gillett
Terry’s preferred medium is usually watercolour, with the occasional watercoloured pen and ink drawings. Many of his paintings come straight out of his head, but are inspired by our beautiful countryside landscape.
Cathy Barron
Cathy Barron moved to North Cork 4 years ago and is currently employed by the department of education for the last 10 years. She has held roles in both Theatre and Hospice Care.
Her passion for the Arts evolved over many years with practice in drawing, creative writing, poetry (self published), craft making and set design.
Coming from a musical background her first love is music and has travelled and sang with many choirs through the years.
Jenny Healy
Jenny is a photographer at Daisy Chain Photography Mallow and an Animal Care Professional with Blackpool Veterinary Hospital Contracts. Jenny is the driving force behind the Samhain Festival Doneraile. She lives for Hallowe'en, her fluffy butts and her husband, Andrew Healy. Her favourite artist is Van Gogh, and her favourite style of photography is boudoir - it lets her explore her artistic side and go a bit crazy.
Originally from Mallow, Jenny has resided in Doneraile for over 8 years and fondly remembers spending her Summers here with her grandfather when she was little.
Catherine Murray
Catherine is originally from County Roscommon and has lived in Doneraile since 1988. She is a retired psychotherapist who specialised in psychodrama in the field of trauma. Her primary creative outlet is drama and she currently performs with Speakout Theatre for Transformation Playback company, Art for the Heart Street Performers and the Verdant Players. She also enjoys creative writing, oil painting, gardening, yoga, meditation and walking. Catherine loves being part of and contributing to community life and is proud to host part of the art festival.
Brian Ó Sioradáin
Brian is a graphic designer, web designer and a graduate of MTU Cork School of Music. He is responsible for various things such as poster designs, graphics and this website.
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We hope that the community continues to seize the opportunity to experiment with art and explore your own creativity, alongside non-artists, amateurs and professionals alike. If you have never painted, drawn or coloured before there is a workshop for you.
While our main emphasis is on creativity, we also hope that we will encourage others to visit and enjoy Doneraile, come to our shops and cafés and experience this beautiful town. We hope that you will all have a positive experience and that we can support each other in this and in other artistic endeavours.