MISSION The aim of Galway Dance Project is to advance professional dance practice in Galway city and county, and to support the development of dance as an art form.
✪ To provide ongoing dance training
✪ To advance dance as an art form
✪ To advance professional dance performance in Galway city and county
✪ To advocate for adequate dance resources in the area, including a dedicated dance space
✪ To provide a focal point of support and information for all dance interest in Galway
Company Overview
Galway Dance Project is an artist-led, non-profit dance organisation established in 2011 in Galway. The Project aims to provide high quality dance classes and workshops, choreographic and performance opportunities for dancers in Galway City and County. We are here to support and promote the development of dance, as well as to advance dance as a prominent and valued art form in the region.
Galway Dance Project would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Arts Council and Galway City Council.
The Team
General Manager (part-time) – Jill Murray
Board of Directors
Sinead McPhillips (Chair)
Eamon Brett (Treasurer)
Hillary Kavanagh
Rachel Parry
Jennifer Ahern
Founding Members
Tanya McCrory, Rachel Parry, Genevieve Ryan and Berni Divilly
Additional Members
Lisa Hallinan, Victoria McCormack and Eamon Brett
Special thanks to Lisa Hallinan who was the inaugural General Manager of Galway Dance Project from 2012 until May 2017.  Special thanks also to RÃonach Nà Néill and Judith Sibley for their invaluable support and expertise in establishing Galway Dance Project.
Galway Dance Project acknowledges the support of the Arts Council and Galway City Council.
Click on this link to read our Articles and Memorandum of Association.
Click here for our constitution.
Click here for our latest year end accounts.
Board of Directors
Sinead McPhillips (Appointed to the board 16/03/2012, elected Chairperson June 2017)
Sinead McPhillips is an Arts Marketing and Communications Professional with over fifteen years’ experience working with some of Ireland’s flagship arts organisations including Landmark Productions, Druid, Baboró and Galway International Arts Festival. Sinead has extensive experience working in theatre and is an enthusiastic attendee of dance performances. Sinead is also a board member of Macnas, the award-winning theatre, spectacle and professional company based in Galway.
Eamon Brett (Appointed to the board 22/08/2012)
Eamon Brett is a Galwegian musician who is one of the founding members of Galway Dance Project. He currently is the resident composer/musical director of Off Beaten Path Dance, in addition to his other work as a musical director for theatre and a professional pianist. He also works as a website designer, and is an experienced user of social media tools for marketing and promotion. He occasionally advises organisations and individuals on how to incorporate online media into their marketing strategy.
Hillary Kavanagh (Appointed to the board 24/10/2013)
Hillary Kavanagh, originally from Wexford, has been working amongst the creative community both in Galway and nationally since 1991. She is the Producer with Blue Teapot Theatre Company in Galway. Previously Hillary worked with Arcana, an events production company, where she devised, directed and produced many high profile events and spectacles, varying from The Ryder Cup to The Volvo Ocean Race. Â Hilary has also worked with Galway International Arts Festival, St Patricks Festival and Macnas. Hillary studied dance from the age of 3yrs until 18yrs. She holds RADA certificates in Ballet and Modern Dance.
Originally from North Wales, Rachel Parry trained in dance and choreography in the UK and the Netherlands before settling in Galway in 1995. She is artistic director of Speckled Egg Dance Company, and is a freelance dance and choreography facilitator. Rachel lectures in dance, dance history, and choreography at NUI Galway. She is currently an Irish Research Council Doctoral Scholar at the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, NUI Galway.
Jennifer Ahern (Appointed to the board 07/11/2017)
Originally from Limerick, Jennifer Ahern moved to Galway in 2005 and quickly fell in love with its bustling arts scene. Since 2012, Jennifer has worked with Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Ireland’s flagship international arts festival devoted exclusively to children and families. In her role as Producer she is responsible for festival planning and production, managing the company’s operations and resources, and financial administration. Jennifer is a committee member of TYAI (Theatre for Young Audiences Ireland) and is passionate about access to the arts for young people, increasing the provision of professional development for artists, and introducing more children and families to dance.
Galway Dance Project, Town Hall Theatre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway