The Director

Aoibhinn Finnegan set up Spraoi Academy of Speech and Drama in 2009. She comes from an acting background and has a Bachelor of Education, Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Drama in Education from Trinity College Dublin. She also holds Associate and Licenciate Diplomas from the Irish Board of Speech and Drama.

Prior to setting up Spraoi academy in 2009, Aoibhinn taught for 8 years with The Finnegan School of Speech and Drama in Sligo. She is a contributor to Newstalk's 'The Green Room' where she does back stage interviews for the show. Previous interviews include - the cast of 'Room' at the Abbey Theatre, 'Billy Elliot' at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. She also presented the ‘Arts Wave’ on Dublin South FM, a weekly insight into theatre, music and performance in Dublin city. Aoibhinn is an examiner with the Irish Board of Speech and Drama and a free lance adjudicator. Aoibhinn is also a full time primary school teacher which greatly informs her practice and experience as a Speech and Drama teacher. She is also a part time lecturer with Griffith College on their Higher Diploma in Drama Education.

Aside from teaching, Aoibhinn is an actor in her spare time. She has experience in stage management, production, lighting and sound. Some of her recent credits include: 'Beatrice' in 'Much Ado About Nothing' (2018) 'Jane' in 'Pride and Prejudice' (2017). 'The Proposal' Natalya - Bray One Act Festival, directed by Brian Molloy 2015, 'The Crucible' - Abigail - directed by Geoff O'Keefe, Balally players, Mill theatre 2014, 'Oleanna' - Carol - Vermillion productions directed by Brian Molloy 2014 as well as some recent TV and online ads. Aoibhinn directed the successful  is 'At the Hawk's Well' by WB Yeats for Balally Players on the  One Act Festival Circuit (2017) to much acclaim. 

About Spraoi Academy

Located in Donnybrook, we cover every aspect of speech and drama for ages 6 - Adults. This includes speech, public speaking, mime, verse speaking, movement, story telling, reading, acting and performance. Spraoí Academy is unique as it offers a personal approach with confidence building and fun across all ages.  We are passionate about what we do, we teach speech and drama for the love of teaching and the theatre. This comes across in our classes.

Throughout the year, we prepare children for Irish board of Speech & Drama exams in December. In addition to this, we work toward the Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland Festival in April. Classes are fun, engaging and energetic! We often use the collaborative approach in our process dramas, creating mimes and blocking performances. Spraoí Academy is committed to instilling a love of theatre in our students, while developing skills, personalities in a relaxed and creative environment.