Person to Person: My proudest moments...when an audience member says I made them feel seen

Tell us about yourself;

I’m a queer, AuDHD mum and carer with a penchant for outlandish outfits, dancing and marveling at the natural world.

I’m also a multi-disciplinary artist who refuses to nestle into one niche. I specialise in creating, choreographing and performing original work while engaging with a wide range of social issues. My skills range from clowning, hula hooping, fire dancing, burlesque and drag to singing and writing songs with my band Shawlie. That list isn’t even exhaustive, but I do be getting exhausted from having so much craic. I also adore mc-ing for Circus Factory Cork, if you’ve never been to one of their cabarets, you’re in for a real treat.

In 2024, I got a call out of the blue asking me to perform at Sensoria and that finally spurred me to start making work about neurodivergence. A flurry of creation since then resulted in my plays Squish, Stomp, Spin - The Magic of Stim, The Dirt on Your Shoe and two new pieces you’ll find out more about below. Making work like this connected me to some otherworldly energy source and I’m continuously baffled and delighted by just how much gumption I have to try and change the world.

Where were you born?

Cork.

Where do you live?

Cork.

Family?

A delightful little nest of domestic bliss with two incredible youngins, a sweet toffee coloured pup and a very tall saint taking care of us all.

Best friend?

My ND communities of circus and polyamory. Don’t make me choose!

Earliest childhood memory?

Asking my junior infant’s teacher to turn around so I could show off the black gusset of my white tights which, to me, at three, were astonishingly weird/cool. To the school, they were reason enough to send me home ‘and be more ready for big school’ at four!

Person you most admire?

My mum, for always doing her best for everyone she meets.

Person who most irritates you?

Billionaires, if by irritation you mean abject horror?

Where was your most memorable holiday?

I was ridiculously lucky to travel through Asia many moons ago. Each country was so unique, it’s hard to choose a favourite. I left in the Celtic Tiger and returned to the bust. But my time away afforded me space and grace.

I could practice social skills and that helped shape my identity and self-esteem in a more forgiving way. The bond of backpacking forges fast and strong, then melts away into the next hostel and next important person.

Favourite TV programme?

I take particular joy in regulating by watching humans be mostly nice to each other as a break from the more unempathetic and difficult to comprehend ‘real world’. So Star Trek can work brilliantly.

Favourite radio show?

The weird alt ones that only happen late at night.

Your signature dish if cooking?

A huge steaming pot of veg and beans in any number of flavours.

Favourite restaurant?

The Glass Curtain, a rare treat worth waiting for!

Last book you read?

Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernardine Evaristo.

Best book you read?

The Northern Lights Trilogy, by Philip Pullman cured my fears of eternity and the dark.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

MO LÉAN, by RÓIS.

Favourite song?

Alemnesh, by Badume’s Band, has enormous sentimental value.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Chassol.

Do you have a pet?

A little jack russell-esque baby named Toffee.

Morning person or night owl?

Night owl.

Your proudest moment?

Every time an audience member says I made them feel seen or helped them to understand Autism.

Spendthrift or saver?

I try not to buy new, but I do have a special interest in clothing and costume. Second-hand is much kinder on the pocket too.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

For the tram to hurry up and get built or for the 220 to be reliable!

What makes you happy?

Being at home while knowing the kids feel fulfilled.

How would you like to be remembered?

A colourful experience who would do most anything to make the world better than I found it.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I’m working hard on a new commission for Disrupt Disability Arts Festival (which you can also enjoy online, tickets are on sale now). Creating a show with my partner while we simultaneously renovate our house has been crazy! But we’re so proud of Uncouth [a new play premiering at the festival] and can’t wait to share it with everyone. I also get to debut my new accessible walkabout The Wiggle Wagon at the St Patrick’s festival in Dublin. After those, I’m thrilled to be dramaturg on Quare Fruit. So I’m flat out at the moment and dreaming of more work at home in Cork soon.

• Running from March 5-7 at Dublin’s Project Arts Centre and online, Disrupt Disability Arts Festival places ground-breaking art and performances from within Ireland’s disability community front and centre. Tickets on sale now, for more information on tickets and each event’s accessibility measures visit www.disruptfestival.ie or follow @disruptarts on Instagram.