Testimonials

I’ve been fortunate to know Catherine for over twenty years. In that time her skill, love and passion for theatre, drama and especially working with young people has been all too evident. Catherine brings a depth of knowledge, understanding and empathy to all her work. In 2025 we had the good fortune of working with her on Youth Theatre Ireland’s first ever Empower Youth Theatre Encounter. Her skill in working with young people of all abilities made for a very memorable few days with lots of laughter, smiling faces and joy in the room.

Alan King, Deputy Director. Youth Theatre Ireland

Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland engaged Catherine Sheridan to facilitate a physical theatre workshop for our members in August 2025. Our organisation represents Speech and Drama Teachers and Practitioners throughout the country. We organise two annual workshops for our members each year and have worked with many practitioners throughout the years, but this was our first time engaging Catherine. The workshop was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Catherine brought a wealth of knowledge and a warm, approachable presence that instantly put everyone at ease. The focus on physical theatre techniques to explore script, acting, and movement was both inspiring and practical, giving us fresh tools and perspectives to bring back into the classroom and to apply to our work. The hands-on practical nature of the workshop made the sessions dynamic, engaging, and deeply valuable. As drama teachers, we left feeling energized, creatively stretched, and equipped with new strategies that will undoubtedly enrich our future teaching and practice. It was an immensely enjoyable and rewarding day that we would highly recommend to others and we look forward to working with Catherine again in the future.

June Allison, Chairperson. Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland

Catherine Sheridan is a gifted theatre artist, who responds with sensitivity to the needs of young people, gives them confidence and inspires them with a love of theatre. Every aspect of her work is essentially collaborative, and its outcomes are impressive.

Dr. Cecily O’Neill. 2TimeTheatre

Catherine Sheridan has given a number of full day workshops for the Drama League of Ireland, and the feedback from these workshops has been very positive. We decided to invite Catherine to deliver a week-long course in acting at our annual Summer School in the University of Limerick this year as a result of that positive feedback. We were delighted with the quality of the work that Catherine did for us, and the feedback from her course participants was very positive from all of her students. We will certainly be asking Catherine back to our Summer School in the future. We thank her for her contribution to what was a highly successful Summer School for us this year, and commend her for her excellent work, and for her professionalism in all aspects of her work.

Ollie Kenny, Director. Drama League of Ireland Summer School

“I have worked with Catherine many times both as a Primary School Principal and as Director of Galway Education Support Centre where Catherine has tutored in ‘Creative Schools’, ‘TAP’, ‘Blast’ and other Arts in Education initiatives. It is always a pleasure working with Catherine. As Principal, I saw first-hand how effective she is at overseeing whole school change in the Arts. She has a wonderful ability to motivate both staff and pupils to express themselves creatively and she always manages to get the most out of creative projects. Her enthusiasm for creative arts is infectious and she is truly an expert in her field. Catherine also facilitates courses for Galway Education Support Centre in Drama where her experience and knowledge ensures the provision of high quality professional learning experiences for school staff. I can’t recommend Catherine highly enough”

Liam Mitchell, Director. Galway Education Centre

“Roscommon County Council Arts Office has worked extensively with Catherine on a number of projects over many years. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to theatre, arts and education projects including Roscommon County Youth Theatre, Artist in Schools, Theatre Productions and Intergenerational Projects – delivering exceptional results. Catherine has a notable ability to connect with young people and foster a love of the arts and creativity. Her work as Artistic Director of Roscommon County Youth Theatre has enhanced members’ theatre skills on and off stage and boosted their confidence and teamwork abilities. Many past members have gone on to work in arts related careers thanks to her guidance, support and skills. Catherine’s innovative approach and dedication to arts education has had a lasting impact on our communities and on young people in County Roscommon and beyond.”

Rhona McGrath, Arts Officer. Arts & Culture Team at Roscommon County Council

“Catherine Sheridan has worked with the Creative Schools programme since 2018. As a Creative Associate rooted in theatre and drama, she brings a huge range of experience and innovation to every school that she works with, but her superpower is her passion for the work coupled with her commitment to making children the leaders in every project through continuous consultation. In her workshops, Catherine fearlessly brings waves of creative energy to the room carrying participants way beyond any inhibitions or self-imposed limitations to explore their own creativity through theatre and drama.”

Grace Boon, Creative Schools Manager. Arts Council of Ireland

“I have known Catherine since she first started working in youth theatre. In all that time I have never come across anyone more dedicated and hardworking. Central to her approach is a commitment to ensuring that the work of young people is regarded with the same significance and value as any other theatre work.”

Philip Delamere, Arts Officer. Leitrim County Council

“Catherine Sheridan has worked as a facilitator/tutor in and across a number of Department of Education designed, led and coordinated Creative Youth Initiatives such as TAP+, BLAST, Creative Clusters and “I am Creative”. As a creative practitioner she has developed a wealth of experience across these initiatives. More recently she has been involved in the co-design and co-delivery of the Creative Cluster training for stakeholders. She is excellent to work with in our initiatives and has always displayed enthusiasm and innovation in her approach to working with schools, teachers, learners, fellow facilitators/tutors and the ESCI network.”

Dr. Katie Sweeney, National Director The Integration of the Arts and Creativity in Education

“Catherine is one of the finest facilitators and artists I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I’ve worked with Catherine for over 20 years in a variety of different contexts and settings and I’m continually impressed by the creativity and rigour she applies to her craft. Our paths have crossed regularly in youth theatre, where her belief in young artists and supporting their creativity through drama is an inspiration. I look forward to working with her any chance I get.”

Eoghan Doyle, Director. Youth Theatre Ireland

“Catherine Sheridan can be described as a Champion of Creativity.  She brings an infectious passion for the Arts and her expertise equips and inspires teachers and learners alike.  Her practical methodologies and inclusive practices are a must for every classroom context.  For Catherine, creativity begins with the interests, curiosities, and imagination of the learner who remains at the centre of the creative process. She has had a profound impact on my practice and pedagogy.”

Shelly Furlong, Listeners & Learners

“I have worked with Catherine in many capacities over the past number of years and in every role her competence and talent has been immense. She has led CPD and training courses that I have attended and she has run drama sessions for classes that I have taught. We have also collaborated together in partnership on TAP and BLAST projects. She has always been willing and available to offer advice on other initiatives I have been involved in without hesitation. In every situation, whether dealing with children or adults, Catherine has always been professional and reliable and has tailored her content to suit her audience. Her knowledge and expertise in the Creative Arts area and specifically in drama knows no bounds and her enthusiasm for her work is admirable.”

Cathy Keary, Primary Teacher. Scoil San Phroinsias

“I have had the privilege of working closely with Catherine for many years, initially as our Creative Associate for the Creative Schools programme, followed by the Teacher Artist Partnership (TAP) and currently as a facilitator for Creative Clusters. I have seen her at her absolute best. Catherine’s expertise in drama, as a playwright and in arts education is unparalleled and constantly developing. Her professional knowledge of artists around the country is exceptional.

As National Trainer for Creative Clusters and Tutor & Facilitator for TAP, Catherine wears many hats with confidence and competence. She has been an invaluable source of knowledge and support, guiding me and my colleagues through the sometimes, complex world of arts education. I would describe Catherine as inspiring, engaging and passionate. Her ability to support and empower pupils, teachers and artists is a joy to behold. I have witnessed this firsthand, in how she transformed a group of strangers into a collaborative team during the Creative Clusters project.

Catherine has played a pivotal role in transforming our school into an arts-rich environment. Her advocacy for the arts has created opportunities that have positively impacted my whole school community and that of my fellow cluster schools. Her approach is always thoughtful and rooted in her experience across the arts and education sectors.

I cannot recommend Catherine highly enough. Her ability to bring out the best in everyone she works with, coupled with her knowledge and persistence makes her an asset to any project or institution.

Beir bua a Catherine!”

Kelly Kilbane, Primary Teacher. Craughwell N.S.