I first worked with SAOL Project in 2012, I was asked to facilitate a series of workshops by Phil Kingston in the Abbey Theatre’s Community and Education Department. The idea was to work with the Saol Sisters in a process in parallel with the Abbey’s production of THISISPOPBABY’s ‘Alice in Funderland’, to go to see the show together and to develop an artistic response, through a process of drama exercises, new text and devising. We were lucky enough to work with the show’s composer Raymond Scannell too as part of the process, and Ray would later collaborate on a new song with the women of SAOL in 2016. Working with SAOL Project changed my life, and my practice forever. I’ve been privileged to remain connected with SAOL ever since, and have collaborated on a number of projects since 2012. In 2019, I was absolutely delighted to be given the SAOL Project’s Irish Woman of the Year Award for International Women’s Day, it was such a beautiful gesture, it was a huge gift and resonated very deeply with me. I am always grateful for SAOL. 

“SAOL is an integrated programme of education, rehabilitation, advocacy and childcare. The SAOL Project’s on-going commitment to the women, children and community members of the North Inner City continues to develop, responding to the changing needs of the women who participate in our project with creativity and commitment.

SAOL has worked over the last 26 years to promote the needs of female drug users and their children. We work with women at any point along the continuum of change, supporting women who are changing their relationship with drugs, maintaining their stability with prescribed substances and/or choose to be drug free.

We try to highlight the many extra difficulties that face women who use drugs including the stigma attached to being a mother who uses drugs, fears about the impact drug use might be having on their children but also fears about losing children because of their drug use. While all of these are reasons that can attract women to treatment, they are also reasons why women tend to stay away from sources of help.”

25+ 2 A Show of Two Halves - SAOL Project Benefit Show, Seán O’Casey Theatre, October 2022, assisting the Saol Sisters and Ray Hegarty in putting together the show.

‘At least it hasn’t rained yet’ (2022), poem included in ‘Cadence: Poems from the SAOL Project’ Curated by Paula Meehan and Ray Hegarty, drawing on poems written in SAOL over the last 27 years. 

SAOL Project’s Irish Woman of the Year Award (2019) for International Women’s Day.

Engage The City ‘Two brothers theory’ Workshop Series (2017) for Dublin City Council’s Culture Company.

When the World Says Give Up, Hope Whispers ‘Try One More Time’ (2016-7)

Musical collaboration with the Women of Saol, Veronica Dyas Artist & Facilitator and Artist and Composer Raymond Scannell.

Film made by Ray Hegarty. Available to watch here.

Sound Mastering by Carl Kennedy.

Funded by the North Inner City Drugs Task Force and CREATE and The Arts Council of Ireland’s Artist in the Community Scheme Research & Development Phase, 2016.

The Rosie Hackett Project (2015). Performance devised with SAOL Project.

Sounds of Poverty  (2015). Sound Installation devised with SAOL Project for World Eradication of Poverty Day.

The Roles We Play   (2015). Short Film devised with SAOL Project. 

HERE & NOW   (2014). Workshop rehearsal in Project upstairs during the installation period of Here & Now. SAOL were working towards a performance for the International Eradication of Poverty Day. 

Stand Up For Bastards! (2013). The Abbey Theatre Community & Education Department. Collaboration with SAOL Project for King Lir, alongside the Drama Students of Colaiste Dhulaigh.

ALICE (2012). The Abbey Theatre Community & Education Department.Collaboration with SAOL Project alongside THISISPOPBABY’s Alice in Funderland at the Abbey Theatre.