Our Board
Sean Conneally – Secretary of the Board
Sean Conneally works as a Sector Manager in Galway Adult Services. He has worked for over 30 years for people with a learning disability. Previously he worked with Ability West as a psychologist and in the area of Training and Development with the Brothers of Charity.
Sean has been a strong supporter of Blue Teapot for many years, both professionally and personally. Last December he and his daughter jumped into the sea on Christmas day in a fund raising effort for the company.
Sean has helped Blue Teapot develop into the professional company it has become today and is excited to see where the company will go.
He gets great enjoyment out of watching the wonderful creative processes and drama that the Blue Teapot produce.
Fiona Coffey – Chairperson
Fiona was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Blue Teapot Theatre Company in January 2010. She has been involved with the Company since its foundation in 1996 and have delighted in witnessing its development and continued success over the years.
The vision of the Company has been to provide opportunity for people with a learning disability to express their creativity, to excel in their work as actors and to contribute to the local, national and international arts community. She feel honoured to be a part of it.
Fiona work as Head of Quality Enhancement and Development in the Brothers of Charity Services Galway. Her personal interests include spending time with family and friends, music, theatre, reading, travel, and walking.
Patrick Becker – Board Member
I have been with Blue Teapot for over five years when Niamh Dillion was here (former Artistic Director). Personal Outcomes was my first show. It was very good, it was about rights and goals. I like to talk about rights, I don’t like it when people call each other names.
I have played many different roles since then, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, and James the Butler amoung others. It’s good to become an actor if you want to become famous and be on television. Acting is fun and exciting. I like dancing and singing and being in the newspapers. I would love to be on Eastenders, Coronation Street or Fair City. I believe if you want to be on television you have to do the drama, you need to focus. It’s is nice to work with Frank and all the others, like Charlene and Kieran.
I enjoy talking about business, and I want to speak out about the business needs of the company. I like reporting about what’s happening at the company. Blue Teapot has done very well, we have great skills. In the board meetings we talk about getting more money for the company.
I would like to be a top man like Patrick McGinley (former Chief Executive of Brothers of Charity Services, Galway) working in an office and answering business calls.
My goal is to become Chief Executive of Brothers of Charity.
Kevin Gavin – Board Member
I began my working career in Stewarts Hospital in Dublin working with people with intellectual disability, moving on to join Ability West [formally Galway Association] in 1982 as a front line worker in a children’s group home, progressing to managing an adult group home to my present position as Area Manager.
I have noticed great change in the intellectual disability field over the past 28 years, none more so that the increased opportunities for people with a learning disability to integrate into and play a greater role in society. The Blue Teapot is an example of what can be achieved when a few people put their heads together and I have witnessed first hand the skills and self confidence that the participants have attained since joining the Blue Teapot Theatre Company.
I with the support of Ability West will continue to promote and develop Blue Teapot and hopefully provide a greater number of people with learning disabilities opportunities of experiencing the magic that is the Blue Teapot Theatre Company.
Adrian Harney – Board Member
Adrian joined the Board of Directors on the establishment of Blue Teapot as a limited company, having served on the management committee prior to this. Adrian is Director of Human Resources with Ability West and is a member of the Ability West Senior Management Team. He has a keen interest in working with people with a learning disability and creating the conditions whereby they can realise their dreams and ambitions. He recognises the important role staff play in achieving this objective.
Prior to joining the Human Resources Department in Ability West in 2001, Adrian worked in Eircom and was a staff representative on the Board of Directors for 10 years. Adrian interests include walking, travel, current affairs and politics.
Adrian lives in Galway with his wife Anne.