Seanchaí Collective Associates
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others"
Our associates are experts in their field who have joined us on our journey and are offering their support to the company's vision and aims. Currently all our associates are volunteers committed to supporting the voices of lived experience experts to make a difference or simply be heard.
Colette Franklin
The Seanchaí Collective Founder and volunteer co-opted to the Board
Colette has worked within the banking and logistics sector for most of her career, Colette brings expertise in customer relations, finance and managing complex partnerships. Colette has recently returned from a number of years in Seattle, there she supported various community projects and food bank programmes.
Colette is a previous recipient of an Irish Post Award.
Donna Keane
The Seanchaí Collective Founder and volunteer co-opted to the Board
Donna has worked in the public sector for most of her career, working in administration for both health and education. Donna brings skills in finance systems, risk management and due diligence processes.
Caitlin Killeen
Volunteer Content Manager
Caitlin creates and manages our content strategy, aligning with our goals and target audience. They help shape our brand voice, establish a strong brand identity and engage with our audience. Caitlin's responsibilities include planning, creation and distribution of content across our various platforms, online and offline.
Caitlin is also a student at Brighton University studying BA(Hons) Philosophy, Politics, Ethics
Kathi Leahy
Creative Associate, The Seanchaí Collective
Kathi has been telling stories professionally as a Theatre Maker, Artistic Director and Producer for over 35years. She founded and ran Shaskeen Irish Arts Organisation in Coventry during the ‘90s telling stories of the Irish Women in the Community who emigrated in the 50’s and ‘60’s - working as writer/ director on ‘I’ll Tell Me Ma ‘ and ‘The Wedding’ - Co-Production with Cork Opera House. She was an associated Artist of the Belgrade Theatre for 7years directing main-house shows including Fantastic Mr Fox and The Twits‘ which toured nationally and internationally and Millennium Mysteries Coventry Cathedral . Kathi restarted the Coventry Godiva Carnival and was Artistic Director / Producer of the Carnival for 14yrs from 2000 - 2014.
Kathi was one of four founders of Imagineer Productions - Outdoor Arts Organisation. Wide range of work included, 40th Opening Ceremony International Children's Games, War Bride Commemoration for Coventry Cathedral and West Midland Outdoor Tour, Culture on the Move, Powerhouse Youth Zone, Godiva Festival '23/24. Queens Platinum Jubilee Pageant London Coventry Section "The Queen's Favourites" and Milesians, the coming of the Gaels, Coventry City of Culture 2021 and Creative Explorers programme 2024.
Kathi was the volunteer director and producer for the Message to Margaret campaign.
"Stories are the fire we pass from one generation to another". Kathi believes in the power of stories that touch both our hearts and minds and make us feel. She has extensive experience of working collaboratively with communities to vision and create to tell their stories.
Kathi has been recipient of an Irish Post Award and Arts Council Fellowship.
Jamie McGough
Creative Associate, The Seanchaí Collective
Jamie McGough is a playwright from Coventry who wrote Fighting Irish, which premiered at the Belgrade Theatre as part of Coventry’s UK City of Culture year in 2022.
Jamie also wrote and performed The Final Bell as part of a joint project between the Belgrade and Paines Plough in the Roundabout Auditorium in 2021.
Before his career in writing, Jamie was a national boxing champion and international representative. He has also produced plays here and abroad, most recently when he adapted The Proposal for a 2024 show in Valencia.
Paul Nolan
Creative Associate, The Seanchaí Collective
Paul Nolan is an Anglo-Irish actor, writer, and theatre director whose professional career spans over four decades. A passionate advocate for live theatre performance Paul was a company director of the award-winning Tic Toc Theatre Company, where he championed comedy, national touring theatre, community theatre and live music at their Coventry venue and at the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Throughout his career, Paul has collaborated with a wide range of acclaimed companies including:
Belgrade Theatre | Shaskeen Theatre | Cork Opera House – The Wedding
Talking Birds – The Whale, The Cricketeers, Festival of Lost & Found (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust)
Ego Performance Company | No Fit State Circus – Pirates of the Canal Basin
Imagineer Productions – 40th International Children’s Games, MAD UK, Queen’s 90th Birthday Jubilee Pageant
The Albany Theatre – The Window (Writer/Director), Whistle in the Dark (Director), A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Alice in Wonderland
He is also the co-creator of the irreverent and beloved comedy duo The Cheeky Chappies – The Knowledge, Dick Whittington, Treasure Island, Robin Hood, The Christmas Cracker (Belgrade Theatre)
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Paul played a key role in the Message to Margaret campaign, hosting a global online event that significantly raised awareness and support for the initiative.
Keith Allott
Volunteer The Seanchaí Collective Creative
Keith is an award-winning filmmaker and producer working across documentary, narrative fiction and experimental film. He is an experienced filmmaker of twenty years, his work has been screened at BAFTA, Academy Award and BIFA qualifying festivals, including Aesthetica, Encounters, London Short Film Festival, Norwich Film Festival, Depict, Shortest Nights, Beeston Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival.
In 2010, he founded Badshoes Film, a film production company that also collaborates with emerging filmmakers, community organisations, and national commissions across the UK. Through Badshoes, Keith also nurtures new talent and develops projects that engage diverse audiences.