Board Biographies

Elaine Coghill (B.A. LL.M) holds a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law and has developed considerable experience across many legal areas of expertise and represents clients in District, Circuit and High Court cases. She is greatly respected for her determination and persistence in court as well as her approachability and friendliness among clients and colleagues. The creation of the partnership of Hickey Coghill Solicitors is a tribute to both her knowledge and experience.

Elaine has a keen interest in the Arts and is a regular audience member at the Hawk’s Well. Dance being her first love of the Arts, having practiced classical ballet for many years in her hometown and even performing in the Dean Crowe Theatre as a Junior Ballerina.

Ben Healy is a native of Sligo town. His involvement in the construction industry spans over 40 years. A graduate of the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin and of Reading University where he was awarded an MsC. He is a chartered Quantity Surveyor.

A lifelong supporter of the Arts he was an enthusiastic member of Sligo Drama Circle in his teens. He has supported the Hawk’s Well Theatre as a friend since its earliest days and has followed its progress with great interest. For the Blue Raincoat Company he has worked pro bono as a quantity surveyor since its foundation, helping in setting up their performance space in the Factory, assisting ongoing grant applications and providing technical support as requested.

In recent times his interest in traditional Irish music has been rekindled and he enjoys regular informal sessions. He looks forward to providing support to the current board in the redevelopment of the theatre.

Nichola MacEvilly trained as an actress at Rose Bruford College London, and holds an MA from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.She has worked extensively in theatre, TV and Film. Nichola also worked in casting with the famous Hubbard family in London, and as a film producer.  Musically, Nichola has recorded with Kieran Quinn, Indian, Bedlam Suitcase and Those Nervous Animals.

Favourite theatre credits include The Odd Couple (The Everyman) The Wake (Abbey Theatre) Constance (Hawks Well Theatre) The Only Jealousy of Emer, The Poor Mouth and Rhinoceros (Blue Raincoat Theatre Company)The Way of Water (English Theatre Berlin) Macbeth, Othello (Mill Theatre) Beseiged, Five Minutes Later, Ethica, and All Hell Lay Beneath (Sugarglass Theatre in Dublin and New York).  Favourite TV/Film include: Ripper St (BBC/Amazon) Seven Women (RTE) Sojourn, Runner (Paddy Slattery) The Lonely Tree (BAFTA Nominiated) Just One Thing (BAFTA nominated), Talk to me(BBC) The Bill (ThamesTelevision). Nichola is delighted to serve on the board of Hawks Well Theatre given it is where her love for drama was sparked and nurtured as a young girl growing up in Sligo.

Rosaleen O Grady is an Irish Politican and an elected member of Sligo Borough and Sligo County Council since 1999. She has been Mayor of Sligo Borough on three occasions and has served as Chairperson of Sligo County Council 2015-16.

Rosaleen is a former Senior Clinical Nurse Manager with the Irish Health Service Executive.

Mary O’Hehir - Married to Michael with 3 sons, currently involved in her family business, O Hehirs Bakery & Café. The Glasshouse Hotel is also an element of her family business, which is a corporate friend of the theatre. Her interests include Sligo Rugby Club, cookery & the Arts. Her keen interest in the Arts allows her opportunities to promote the Theatre within her networks as the Hawk’s Well theatre is an intrinsic part of the arts culture in the North West area.

Des Power is a highly respected global business executive in the Consumer Electronics space. After many years working abroad, Des was delighted in 2016 to return home to become the SVP, MD Fitbit International, responsible for the Fitbit business in EMEA and APAC. A passion for Innovation and team building has taken Des on a leadership journey starting with Philips Electronics at a time when TV’s became flat, then joining Harman to run its global Consumer Audio business as music consumption habits evolved to smartphones and streaming. Finally joining Fitbit at a most exciting time where consumers are now empowered to take better charge of their own health and wellness. Des has worked in Europe, the Americas and most recently in Shenzhen, China. Des is passionate about the Arts in Ireland and especially Sligo and has been a supporter of the Hawks Well since the year it was opened.

Roddy Quinn is a Family doctor who has been interested in the theatre from a young age. Since coming to live and work in Sligo in 1984 he has been an active member of Coolera Dramatic Society which, as well as hosting the highly successful annual pantomime (he has directed the show on six occasions and filled many other backstage and acting roles), has been responsible for many award winning dramatic productions. Indeed, Roddy won the best supporting actor award at the All-Ireland open amateur drama finals in Athlone in 2003 for his playing of “Michael” in Frank McGuiness’s “Someone who’ll watch over me”. He has also acted with Sligo Drama Circle, Silver Apples theatre company and Splodar (Manorhamilton).

Roddy also brings experience of involvement with organisations at a local and national level. He is the immediate past chairperson of the Parenting Network, a high level body involved in influencing policy at a national level to support parents in their parenting role. He has also, on a regular basis, chaired committees of the Irish College of General Practitioners that are tasked with the training of young doctors who want to specialise in family practice. He has been the Director of the Sligo Specialist Training Programme for General Practice since 2001.