Person to Person: 'Our Samhain Parade is so special and hopefully unforgettable'

Tell us about yourself;

I grew up in Connecticut, a mile from the water, and couldn’t imagine living too far from the sea. I moved to New York City at 18 to study dance, and after 10 years there, I went to the University of Michigan to pursue an MFA in choreography. I thought I wanted to work in a university, but after trying to find a job I loved, I decided to shape a role for myself where I could work with other artists every day.

I’ve lived in Ireland for 11 years now, and run Greywood Arts. We started out hosting artists-in-residence, and now are a hub for cultural activity in East Cork. We run regular classes and workshops, and facilitate community projects. A lot of what we do tries to bring together old and new - celebrating heritage and craft with new traditions, or carrying forward old stories seen in a new light.

For Samhain, we do lantern-making workshops and have a parade of light into Glenbower Wood after dark. We also run a festival each November for Science Week, SpaceFest.

I still consider myself an artist, although these days my practice is more about creating the conditions where communities come together to be inspired and to create.

Where were you born?

I was born in Connecticut and grew up in a very suburban New England environment.

Where do you live?

I live in Killeagh, in East Cork - just beside Glenbower Wood - one of Ireland’s first community-owned forests.

Family?

I’m married to a Wicklow man, Hughie.

Best friend?

Sabrina Dent, who is the co-director of SpaceFest. A great friendship has come out of working closely together on the project for the last six years. We started with an idea for a space-themed artist residency, and somehow it became an annual festival.

Earliest childhood memory?

I remember watery tiles at the edge of a swimming pool, with a vague image of my mother, from an infant swimming lesson.

Person you most admire?

For artistry, I’d have to say the choreographer Pina Baush, and Dolly Parton for her tenacity and philanthropy, but mainly my mom for raising me on her own. She wanted to be an artist, but didn’t follow through with it, so I think that’s why she supported me at every step of my education and career.

Person who most irritates you?

Donald Trump.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

In July, we visited Jelsi in Italy, the village my great-grandfather came from. They hold a harvest festival in honour of St Anna, whom they honour for protecting the village from an earthquake on her feast day in 1805.

There is a tradition of making parade floats and garlands out of wheat for the celebration, and the artistry coming from the community is astounding.

Favourite TV programme?

Ted Lasso.

Favourite radio show?

I’m a podcast person more than a radio listener - I love Design Matters. But John Creedon on RTÉ Radio One when I do.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I love trying new recipes when I make dinner for the artists-in-residence once a week. I have three signature dishes at Christmas - my Italian grandmother’s pizza rustica (like a ham and salami quiche wrapped in a black paper dough), my French Canadian grandmother’s tourtière (a spiced meat pie) and my own take on tiramisu.

Favourite restaurant?

Orso and Paladar are our go-to spots in Cork city, or getting a takeaway from Miyazaki and eating it in O’Sho. We’re collaborating with O’Sho on a workshop for SpaceFest.

Last book you read?

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - a wonderful story about queer identity and the challenges the first women training to be astronauts with NASA faced. We have a SpaceFest reader discussion around it during Science Week.

One person you would like to see in concert?

I’m really looking forward to seeing Branwen Kavanagh perform at Greywood in November.

Do you have a pet?

So many! We have two dogs, four cats, two goats, chickens and ducks at Greywood. Our oldest cat, Cashel, is 16 and travelled from the US with us. Our dog Elvis is very attached to me and is always by my side. Our 3-legged cat, Mozz, has a bed in one of the office drawers.

Morning person or night owl?

Mornings are hard! Night owl for sure.

Your proudest moment?

I received the 2025 Christopher Kendall Award from the University of Michigan. The award recognises alumni from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance who have demonstrated collaboration, entrepreneurship, significant community engagement, interdisciplinary studies, and patronage to the arts in their professional work. It was incredible to receive that recognition for my work with Greywood.

Spendthrift or saver?

A saver in theory, a spendthrift when it comes to books, art supplies, and second-hand clothes on Vinted.

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

A train to Cork - I’d love reliable public transport to help cut down on all the traffic through Killeagh. There’s a bypass planned, but it’s still a long way off.

What makes you happy?

Travelling, learning new things, being in the sea and curling up on the sofa with the dogs and a good glass of wine.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who brings people together. I’d like to be remembered for creating spaces where people feel welcome, curious and creative -where they feel connected to this place, and to each other.

Events like our Samhain Parade, where we head into the forest after dark, carrying lanterns made by hand, are magical. The experience is so special and hopefully unforgettable -I hope to be remembered for creating moments that spark awe, wonder and connection.

What else are you up to at the moment?

We’re in the middle of a very busy period at Greywood. We’re getting ready for Samhain Lights, our annual lantern parade into Glenbower Wood, and planning SpaceFest for Science Week in November. We’re also in the middle of drafting our strategic plan for the next three years, and laying out our 2027 programme, which will explore creative hospitality and notions of welcome across East Cork.

I recently learned how to spin wool with a drop spindle from weavers-in-residence, so I’m spending my rare moments of free time spinning wool for weaving, or going to the sauna. There is always about ten things happening at once, so I’m also trying to learn the art of saying no – with varying degrees of success!

• The Samhain Parade of Light returns to Killeagh this Friday, October 30. See https://greywoodarts.org/