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Chairperson - Nickey Brennan

Appointed January 2023

Nickey Brennan is a native of Jenkinstown, Co. Kilkenny. He worked for forty three years with Glanbia plc in a number of I.T. Management & Procurement roles. He is a five times All-Ireland medal winner with the Kilkenny senior hurlers and he played his club hurling with Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club. Following his playing career he held management/selector roles with the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers, Senior Footballers and Under 21 Hurlers, winning an All-Ireland title with the latter.

Nickey has been involved in many administration roles within the GAA over the years. He held multiple Officer roles in his club Conahy Shamrocks. He later served as Chairman of Kilkenny GAA County Board and also as Chairman of the Leinster Council GAA. He served as President of the GAA from 2006 to 2009.

Outside of the GAA, Nickey is heavily involved with Kilkenny Age Friendly and is a regular broadcaster on Community Radio Kilkenny City, aside from being the Chairman of the Watergate Theatre Board.

Nickey is married to Mairead and they have four children, Orla, Conor, Nicola and Ciara.

Chairperson Nickey Brennan

Dermot Gaynor

Appointed April 2018

Dermot retired in 2006 from a senior management position after a 34 year banking career. His frontline experience included managing two branches and 35 staff, for 10 years. He also specialised in HR and organisational change, retiring from the position of Head of Management Development and Learning in Bank of Ireland’s Retail Division (comprising 10,000 staff).

In 2008 he took up the role of Chief Executive of a new company in Kilkenny which established The Watershed, a large fitness and leisure facility. In this role he developed the business plan, recruited the staff and established the many operating procedures, internal controls and customer service standards. He guided and oversaw what has become a thriving business for its initial ten years.

Over the years, Dermot has mentored and advised numerous and various businesses and continues to do so.

Dermot is a Business Studies graduate of UL and holds a MSc in Management from TCD

Dermot Gaynor

Fidelis Doherty

Appointed September 2019

Elected to Kilkenny County Council in June 2009, re elected in May 2014 and May 2019 and has served on the Board of Directors of the Watergate Theatre Kilkenny since June 2014.

Fidelis Doherty

Andrew McGuinness

Appointed September 2019

Andrew McGuinness is an elected member of Kilkenny County Council representing the City. He is a former Mayor of the city and currently Vice Chairman of the Council.
Outside of politics Andrew has a background in music and entertainment and is a former journalist.

Andrew Mc Guinness

Gilly Fogg

Appointed January 2023

Gilly Fogg has loved theatre since she was a kid. She was a member of the Irish National Youth Theatre, the European Youth Theatre, and studied Theatre and English Lit. in Glasgow University, while working as a puppeteer in Scotland’s Perfect Chaos Puppet Company.

After graduating, Gilly studied puppet animation in Prague and then followed a career in animation, with her first job as animator. She has worked in the UK and Canada and is now the Head Creative at Lighthouse Studios in Kilkenny, where she directed the BAFTA winning series ‘El Deafo’ for Apple TV+.

Delighted to be part of the Watergate, Gilly is excited to have theatre in her life again, knowing that it plays a vital role, and can be the beating heart of a creative community.

Gilly Fogg

Anja Terpstra

Appointed March 2023

Anja was General Manager of KCAT Arts Centre in Kilkenny for 18 years prior to joining Barnstorm as General Manager in April 2022. She has extensive experience in financial and operational management, policy development and planning, production and project management, and has been involved in the development of Erasmus+ and European Projects. As founding Director and Executive Producer of Trasna Productions (2014 -) she has lead development and funding of new capital projects and festivals, facilitating innovative, inclusive and collaborative arts projects engaging with the community. In 2007 she produced the first International Festival of Inclusive Theatre in Ireland. . Anja enjoys facilitating creativity, diversity and creating journeys where people can flourish.

Anja Terpstra

Ciaran Dunphy

Appointed March 2023

Ciarán has been heavily involved in supporting the local Amateur Theatre scene since 2009 serving on various theatre committees including Kilkenny Musical Society and Chairing Kats Theatre Group. He has performed, directed, produced and staged managed multiple productions on the Watergate Theatre stage over the last fifteen years. He has also performed in neighbouring theatres such as St. Michael’s New Ross and Premier Hall Thurles and had national nominations on two occasions for his performances. Other interests include podcasting, writing, GAA, Arsenal FC and professional wrestling!

Ciarán is a qualified Auctioneer, Valuer and Property Consultant and is Director of family run business DNG Ella Dunphy. He offers professional expertise and advice in all property related areas.

Ciaran Dunphy

Esosa Ighodaro

Appointed July 2023

Esosa Ighodaro is a Nigerian-Irish writer/director, vocalist and actor. She makes work for stage and screen. Her work aims to highlight black talent and tell more varied stories of the black experiences in Ireland, using humour to explore more serious themes.

Esosa Ighodaro