Board & Governance
How we work
Fishamble Theatre Company members are Jim Culleton, Gavin Kostick, Andrew Parkes.
The following are the Board of Directors:
Siobhan O’Leary
Siobhan is a business consultant working with clients in areas such as strategic planning, business process improvement and change management. She previously held senior financial and HR roles with Diageo.
She also spent many years serving on school boards of management. She is a business graduate of Trinity College Dublin, and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Accountants.
Re-elected June 2023
John McGrane
John is the Director General of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, a private sector organisation which he co-founded in 2011 to represent businesses with interests in the two islands and their economies. He is also the Executive Director of the Family Business Network Ireland and Founder and CEO of kmend.com, the enterprise solution tech start-up. Retired from a forty-year career in business banking, his interests weave through commerce, culture, and community.
He sits on the Boards of Fishamble: The New Play Company and the Irish Film Institute and he has led numerous public policy iniatives including the Government Forum on Philanthropic Funding of the Arts and the creation of the National Concert Hall Quarter.
Elected June 2021 Re-elected June 2024
Denise Walshe
Denise is the former Strategic Finance Projects Manager at Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited. Denise now works as a Non-Executive Director and a Fractional CFO, focusing on empowering businesses to thrive through strategic financial leadership, business process improvement, and change management.
She is also a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Association of Corporate Treasurers UK.
She has been supporting Artists to make art in theatre, youth theatre, contemporary art, film, and radio productions. Denise was a Director of Cavan Arts and Culture Centre Limited for over 25 years.
Elected June 2024
Ronan Nulty
Ronan is Executive Creative Director and Board Member of Publicis Dublin, one of Ireland’s leading advertising agencies.
He is an award winning copywriter, with accolades including Cannes Lions, One Show and D&AD. He holds a degree in English and Sociology.
Elected June 2021
John O’Donnell
John’s poetry and fiction has been published and broadcast widely. Awards include the National Irish Poetry Prize, the Ireland Funds Prize, the Hennessy Award for Poetry, and the Hennessy Award for Fiction.
He has previously been a board member of various other organizations including Dublin Theatre Festival and the Arts Council. A senior counsel, he lives and works in Dublin.
Re-elected June 2022
Colleen Savage
Colleen Savage is director of Savage Strategy, a strategic business and communications consultancy, working with clients in both the public and private sec tor. She graduated with a degree in economics from Trinity College Dublin, and a Masters in international development studies from University College Dublin.
She has served as a board member of the National Consumers agency (now CPCC) and the National Audit and Oversight Commission for Local Government. She is a keen supporter of the arts and cultural community in Ireland.
Re-elected June 2023
John Tierney
John Tierney is the Marketing Manager at the Abbey, Ireland’s national theatre and has worked in a number of digital marketing roles in Dublin & Brussels. Alongside commercial roles, he has worked to empower cultural organisations to use digital media to connect with and grow their audiences. John graduated UCD with an International BA in English & French and an MA in contemporary English literature.
Elected June 2022
Christine Sisk
Christine is a former Director of Culture Ireland where she worked for almost two decades generating and supporting international opportunities for Irish artists across all artforms.
Previous work experience includes ten years in managing historic properties held by OPW and designing and delivering cultural programmes to the public.
She graduated with a degree in German and Political Science and a Masters in Art History from University College Dublin.
Governance & Accounts
Fishamble Theatre Company, CLG is committed to comply with the charity SORP, the Code of Governance and Principles of Good Fundraising.
Fishamble is compliant with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and adheres to best business practice in all its operations. The organisation is committed to the implementation of good governance and is fully compliant with the Charities Governance Code. Fishamble is committed to comply with the charity SORP, the Code of Governance and Principles of Good Fundraising.
Fishamble’s main object is to benefit the community and advance education in the arts in Ireland, as defined in the Arts Acts 1951, 1973 and 2003 through the development, promotion and operation of a Theatre Company – Fishamble Constitution v.18 June 2018 (clause 3).
- Constitution
- Disclosure of Employee Remuneration
- Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
Privacy Policy
Fishamble Theatre Company, CLG is committed to protecting your privacy. Read our Privacy Policy.
Gender Equality Policy
Fishamble Theatre Company, CLG seeks to address gender equality in the overall theatre sector, and in the work of the company. This policy was launched following the Waking the Feminists movement, in July 2016 along with 9 other Irish theatre organisations as part of Gender Equality in Practice in Irish Theatre.
Fishamble continues to monitor the gender of all commissioned and supported playwrights.
Gender Equality Policy Document
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Fishamble is committed to actively fostering an environment that respects the unique characteristics, skills and experiences of all employees, artists and audiences. We aim to foster a work environment where difference is valued and where equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in our actions, our structure and our culture.
Fishamble’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy (Oct 2025)
Green Arts Policy
Fishamble is developing its green arts and sustainability policy to become more environmentally conscious with how we create, produce, and tour our productions in Ireland and abroad, and deliver our programme of year-round initiatives. It is concerned with, but not limited to: carbon neutrality, sustainable use of resources, and environmental protection, with a particular focus on Fishamble’s touring footprint, as well as the impact of physical set infrastructure.
Fishamble is working with the Green Arts Initiative in Ireland on the Greener Touring project to develop its policies and procedures in this area of work.
Fishamble looks forward to working further with the Arts Council, its industry partners, and stakeholders on developing and enacting this policy.
Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Statement
Fishamble has always believed that the best work is created in a friendly, collaborative, safe and supportive environment. This ethos informs Fishamble’s relationships with everyone who works with the company. Fishamble is committed to treating all employees, freelance staff, artists and colleagues equally and with dignity, regardless of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or ethnicity.
Fishamble’s anti-bullying and anti-harassment policy is outlined in its Employee Handbook, and includes the following: ‘Everyone employed or engaged by Fishamble has the right to work in an environment that is free from sexual harassment, harassment and bullying, and where each individual is respected. Anyone who experiences or observes inappropriate conduct is encouraged to raise the issue, so that it can be resolved speedily. Informal and formal procedures are in place to ensure bullying and harassment of any sort are investigated and addressed in a confidential and effective manner. Fishamble encourages anyone experiencing these issues to contact any member of staff or the Fishamble board to bring such unacceptable behaviour to a close.’
The full document is available to everyone who works with Fishamble.
WTF Harassment Toolkit
Women in Film & TV Ireland have collaborated with members of Waking the Feminists to produce a toolkit on how to deal with harassment. It is a detailed guide of what to do if you are experiencing issues like this; including making a complaint at work, when to make a criminal complaint, useful information on who to contact and links to get further information.
Fishamble Strategic Plan: 2022-2026
