Testimonials

Keynote talk at Tipperary Mental Health Week

“We were delighted with Cathal's contribution as a keynote speaker at the main event during Tipperary Mental Health Week this year at TUS Thurles. He made the event theme "Creating Meaningful Connections" relevant to our mixed group of adults and third level students with a thoughtful balance between research insights and real-life impact. His experience across all age groups, particularly young adults, was a valuable addition and resulted in more positive feedback from attendees this year. His approach to mental health clearly comes from a creative angle which is both inspiring and educational.”

Organisers Group, Tipperary Mental Health Network

Spoken word/hip-hop performance at Clonmel Applefest

“Cathal's composed performance of difficult and textured material was impressive and his collaboration with Eoin Hally added an extra layer of depth to it."

Theresia Guschlbauer, Director, Clonmel AppleFest

Schools Programme at Clifden Arts Festival, Primary & Secondary Schools Workshops

“Cathal O’Reilly was a fantastic addition to the Clifden Arts Festival Schools Programme 2026. Our Schools Programme is built around giving children and young people meaningful access to artists and creative experiences within their own school communities, and Cathal’s workshops captured that spirit perfectly.

Through spoken word, hip-hop and rap, Cathal showed students that the Irish language can be creative, contemporary and completely their own. What impressed us most was the confidence he inspired in young people to speak and experiment with Irish. This was particularly powerful among students who do not study Irish as an examination subject and who might not ordinarily see themselves as Irish speakers. Cathal created a relaxed, inclusive environment where there was no fear of getting something wrong. Instead, students were encouraged to play with language, rhythm and words and to discover the art and power of the spoken word.

The preparation and care Cathal put into planning his workshops was exceptional. It was clear that he had considered the age, ability and experience of the students he would be working with and had carefully planned how to make spoken word, rap and the Irish language accessible and enjoyable for each group. At the same time, he was incredibly flexible and responsive to the realities of a busy school day, adapting timings and activities when needed without ever compromising the quality of the students’ experience. That combination of careful preparation and an ability to respond naturally to the young people in front of him is a real strength.

Student voice:
“I didn’t think I’d be able to do something like that in Irish, but once we started, it didn’t feel like a class. You could just try it and have fun with the words.”

Another student commented that the workshop “made Irish feel more like something you can actually use and create with, rather than just something you learn.”

Teacher voice:
“It was wonderful to see students who would usually be hesitant to speak Irish volunteering ideas and having the confidence to perform them. Cathal met the students exactly where they were and made every contribution feel valued.”

For me, one of the loveliest indications of the impact of Cathal’s work actually came outside school. As a parent of two primary-aged children who took part in the programme, it was wonderful to hear them in the back of the car on the way home, rhyming Irish and English words, laughing, experimenting with sounds and making up their own little raps. They were simply playing with language. That is exactly what we hope an Arts in Education experience will do: spark something that continues long after the artist has left the room.

From an Arts in Education perspective, Cathal’s work demonstrates why artist-led experiences are so valuable in schools. He brought together language, identity, creativity, music and performance in a way that allowed students to experience Irish outside the traditional classroom setting. Most importantly, he gave students permission to use the language imperfectly but confidently, demonstrating that Irish is not simply an academic subject but a living language through which young people can create, communicate, perform and express themselves.

The Clifden Arts Festival Schools Programme works with children and young people across schools and education settings throughout North Connemara, and we are always looking for artists who can genuinely engage students while respecting the very different communities, ages and abilities they encounter. Cathal did exactly that. His combination of preparation, professionalism, flexibility, creativity and genuine rapport with young people made him a pleasure to work with.

We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Cathal to other schools, festivals or Arts in Education programmes, and we would be delighted to welcome him back to Clifden.”

Nicola Snow, Arts in Education Coordinator, Clifden Arts Festival

Spoken word performance at Croílár Music and Arts Festival

“Cathal is both an entertainer and an avid spoken word poet who touches on themes that many can relate to. His rawness is inspiring, his words are moving and his delivery is clear and powerful. His engagement with the audience was warm and engaging and his communication with the festival organisers was efficient and professional. Cathal would be welcome back to perform in Athlone again at any time.”

Sinead Byrne Canning, Host, Spoken Word Sundays

Seanchoíche Storytelling Events

“Cathal is an excellent speaker, who has been involved in the Seanchoíche journey in 2026. He has always showed up when scheduled to speak at our events in a timely manner and has delivered highly cerebral, thought provoking stories that have resonated with the masses. It's been a pleasure having him speak at our events.”

Ciaran Gaffney , Founder, Seanchoíche