Galway Community Circus (GCC) is fully compliant with the Charities Regulator Governance Code, that specifically aims to help GCC trustees to put good governance systems and processes in place, which will assist them in meeting their legal duties under charity law.
Galway Community Circus is dedicated to best practice in fundraising and is committed to implementing the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public published by the Charities Regulator. As a registered charity, GCC seeks funds from public and private entities to help achieve its mission. Fundraising activities, which include the cultivation of sponsors, donors and grant-making entities, are carried out by dedicated staff members who have a responsibility to be open, transparent, and are overseen by the Board of Directors.
In 2023 Galway Community Circus introduced The Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities in Ireland, that provide guidance on best practice in financial reporting, to demonstrate financial accountability and transparency. Charites SORP provides guidance on how Galway Community Circus is expected to apply the Financial Reporting Standard to the particular activities and transactions and explains how we should present and disclose our activities and funds within our financial statements.
No senior staff member has a remuneration package above €50,000.
The organisation keeps detailed books and records of accounts and maintains strict financial controls. We comply with the Arts Council’s recommended guidelines for financial reporting. The organisation is transparent in its audited financial statements, with the most recent statements available here:
Appointed to the Board in 2020 - Ian is a Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies at NUI Galway.He was awarded a PhD from University College Dublin in 2010. He has a Certificate in Directing Theatre from NUI Maynooth and has worked as a freelance director of both theatre and opera. He has published widely on Irish theatre and has been invited to give talks in Germany, Brazil and the United States. His books include Experimental Irish Theatre, After W.B Yeats (2012 Palgrave); The Theatre of Enda Walsh co-edited with Mary Caulfield; Cultural Convergence: The Dublin Gate Theatre 1928-1960 co-edited with Ondrej Pilny and Ruud van den Beuken (Palgrave 2020) and Contemporary Irish Theatre and Performance 1957-2017 co-written with Charlotte McIvor (Forthcoming Palgrave 2021). He has worked as a Theatre Reviewer for Irish Theatre Magazine and was the General Manager of that publication in 2008. He has also worked as a theatre reviewer and researcher for RTE Radio 1's The Arts Show and Arena. He is the lead academic representative for NUI Galway partnering with Galway Community Circus on the funded projects, Wires Crossed: Head, Heart, Balance (Creative Europe) and Circus ++ ( Erasmus +).
Appointed to the Board in 2018 - John has over 40 years’ experience as an accounting professional with responsibility at senior management positions in both indigenous enterprises and multinational companies. With a core background in management accounting and budgeting, he has been a member of executive management teams and worked as both director and company secretary in a number of Irish and UK enterprises. Recognised for technical acumen in improving financial processes and controls, John can bring this experience to assist the Galway Community Circus to meet the challenges ahead. He has been a mentor for new businesses, set business set-ups on a voluntary basis and is involved in managing and coaching juvenile hurling and football teams in the local community.
Appointed to the Board in 2020 - A native of Dublin, Ailbhe moved to Galway in 2004 and now lives in the Claddagh with her husband Christian and their children Cóilín and Fia, who are both members of Galway Community Circus. She has a BA in English and Irish (UCD), an MA in Drama (UCD) and an MA in Writing (NUIG), and is a qualified primary school teacher. She works as a fulltime writer and script editor. She is very involved in amateur drama and musical theatre and performs regularly with several Galway based groups.
Appointed to the Board in 2021 - Mairead is the Artistic Director of Galway-based NoRopes Theatre Company which she founded in 2015. She has directed and produced the following NoRopes productions: An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting (UK), Wake, Meet Luke, Flash Theatre – a 24 hr event, Wasted and The Open Couple. Meet Luke is her debut as a playwright. She has been a bilingual freelance theatre practitioner since 2005 working with companies such as Fíbín and An Taibhdhearc. She received a MA in Drama and Theatre Studies from National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland and an Acting Diploma from London College of Music. She also trained with the Garvey School of Speech and Drama, Galway Youth Theatre and Core Theatre College. In 2017 and 2020, she was the recipient of the Mentoring Award supported by the Arts Council’s Arts and Disability Connect Scheme managed by Arts and Disability Ireland. She was also awarded a New Work award supported by the Arts Council’s Arts and Disability Connect Scheme managed by Arts and Disability Ireland and was one of the artists in residence on Druid’s FUEL programme in 2018. She is a member of Theatre Forum’s Independent Artists Working Group and a founding member of Galway-based theatre collective, Theatre57.
Appointed to the Board in 2021 - Cameron is currently a PhD Student in Electrophysiology studying Parkinson's Disease in NUI Galway. Cameron is the former vice president of NUI Galway Student Union and heavily involved in advocacy, activism and volunteering. Cameron is also the current Chair of AMACH! LGBT+ advocacy and support organisation for the LGBT+ community in Galway.
Appointed to the Board in 2024 - Sarah Hofmayer has a PhD in Human Rights and is working in grant making. She is currently working as Officer, Strategy Management and Investment Analysis at Failte Ireland. Previously, until December 2023, she was the Head of Social Enterprise at Rethink Ireland, where she supported social enterprises across the country with funding, strategy and capacity building offerings. Her PhD research looked at how social enterprises can realise inclusive employment in accordance with international human rights standards. Originally from Austria and from a legal background, Sarah has lived experience of diversity and socio-economic disadvantage.
Queries
Please direct queries about Galway Community Circus policies and procedures to info@galwaycircus.com or 0851117224.
