Who We Are

Lucy Medlycott started off her career studying Fine Art Sculpture in Limerick School of Art and Design under Tom Murphy, Louise Walsh and Martin Folan. While in Limerick she discovered the versatility & electricity of the street as a space for arts exploration.

Since graduating from Limerick in 1993, Lucy, together with a group of colleagues, went on to found Bui Bolg Outdoor Arts Company in Wexford. Lucy worked with Buí Bolg in many capacities over the years from community artist to costume designer to manager. Lucy orchestrated many of their flagship projects, bringing their work from Ballina to Beijing and from Mullingar to Memphis and more.

Lucy is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and previous winner in the South East County & City Women in Business Awards.

Lucy co-founded the Irish Street Arts, Circus & Spectacle Network with Chantal McCormick of Fidget Feet in late 2010. Lucy has worked as Project Manager of ISACS since 2014, and is currently Executive Director. She has big dreams for the future!

Helen graduated from UCD with a BA (hons) in French and Linguistics in 2001, and began her career in the National Library of Ireland from 2002 – 2004. She discovered the object manipulation world via poi, which led her to manage the Jugglers’ Rest Backpackers in Picton, New Zealand in 2005, and on her return home she joined the organisational team for the European Juggling Convention (EJC) for its first visit to Ireland in Millstreet, Co. Cork in 2006.

Following the EJC Helen returned to UCD in 2007 for a Masters Degree in Cultural Policy and Arts Management, where her dissertation topic was the (then recent) official recognition of circus as an artform in Ireland, and its impact on artists in the sector.

From 2006 – 2015 Helen went on to act as a cultural freelancer in a variety of production management, technical and box office roles, with organisations including Dublin Fringe Festival, The National Concert Hall, Festival of World Cultures, Dublin Dance Festival, TheatreCLUB, and many more. In 2015 she joined box office software provider Ticketsolve as a Project Manager providing support and training to their network of venues and festivals. Since 2015, Helen also forms part of the Black Powder Monkeys team of pyrotechnicians.

James is a public policy and communications specialist with extensive experience in advocacy for non-profit organisations. He has a keen interest in developing the performing arts sector and working collaboratively to deliver a vibrant community of performers in Ireland.

A graduate from University College Dublin, James holds an M.A. in Public Policy and a B.A. in Philosophy and Politics. His professional background encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including non-profit organisations, research institutes and public affairs consultancy. Throughout his career, James has supported national advocacy campaigns, developed membership programmes and organised training and events for Transparency International Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society and Threshold.

James is engaged with Ireland’s circus and flow arts community, and holds a particular passion for poi. He has performed at the Theatre Royal in Waterford and has contributed to circus productions and walkabout performances at festivals throughout Ireland.

Brendan learned to juggle almost twenty years ago while completing a B.A. in English Literature in NUI, Galway. He has been a part of the Irish juggling and circus scene ever since.

During his studies he also developed an interest in computer programming, which led to an M.Sc. in Software Design and Development, which led to a twelve-year career working in software for agencies, startups, and multinational corporations, in Galway, Dublin, and Wexford.

In 2022, Brendan left the software world to focus on writing and juggling. He didn’t choose the freelance life – but he had nothing else booked on those dates. He has since performed and taught juggling for festivals, schools, community groups, and audiences of all kinds all over Ireland.

He’s received supports from the Arts Council of Ireland, the John Hewitt Society, ArtLinks and Wexford Arts Office. He is on the Artist in the Community programme for county Wexford, and is a member of the artists & community workers advisory group for Creative Places Enniscorthy.

He lives in Enniscorthy with his wife, daughter, and dog.

Jonah started his life and career in circus arts in Dublin a little over a decade ago. Initially focusing on partner acrobatics and doubles aerial, he quickly became interested in producing shows and figuring out all the logistical, technical, administrative, interpersonal and artistic work that goes into making successful productions. He is one of the founders and co-artistic director of the multi-award winning Loosysmokes.

[Appointed 29/04/2021, re-elected 23/04/2024]

Joshua Angelo Estrella (he/they) – Josh is a first generation, non-binary, queer immigrant from the Philippines, now living in Ireland for 5 years.

They have an extensive background in data science, analytics, and management across multiple industries spanning social media, technology, telecommunications, finance, gaming, and biotechnology.

They are one of the leading figures in the Asian and LGBTQ+ communities in the technology industry in the EMEA region.

They are also a diversity leader, advocate, and a life & leadership coach focused on empowering underrepresented communities. On their free time, they dabble on the aerial arts, primarily fabrics, rope, and lyra, as well as pole and exotic dancing.

[Appointed 30/08/2022, reappointed 23/04/2024]

Aisling is a Sligo based artist with eleven years of experience working in the Irish Circus Industry. She has regularly performed with Irish companies Fidget Feet Aerial Dance, THISISPOPBABY, Luxe, Aerial Cirque and Taking Flight as well as in shows and at events all over the world. She has co-created three of her own shows ‘How to Square A Circle’, ‘Sub Rosa’ and ‘NASC’ and is currently working on her first solo creation ‘Cois Farraige’.

[Appointed 09/05/2023, re-appointed 12/05/2026]

Rachel is a Street Theatre Artist and Creative Director at In Your Space Circus (IYSC) in Derry. Having worked in Circus & Street Theatre for 10+ years, Rachel has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to delivery on the street. Rachel has created and produced some of IYSC’s most ambitious productions, leading the organisation into delivery of large-scale outdoor spectacle back in 2018. Most recently Rachel produced ‘After the Rain’ – a brand new, site-specific work in Derry, by world-renowned acrobatic collective ‘Compagnie XY’ and a cast of local artists across multiple disciplines.

[Appointed 15/08/2023, re-appointed 29/04/2025]

Rami Al Ramahi (He/Him) is a Canadian Palestinian with intersecting identities and is committed to creating positive change by addressing inequalities. Recently relocating from Toronto to Dublin, he holds a master’s degree in public policy and has worked as a civil servant in the Government of Ontario. His focus was on Policy Development and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), particularly with Indigenous communities.

Currently, Rami is the EDI Specialist at Trocaire, leading the development of the organisation’s global EDI strategy. Rami is also passionate about the arts and their expressive power. He is particularly interested in learning and unlearning from equity-deserving communities through art to explore and challenge social norms, amplify diverse voices, and foster a deeper understanding of different experiences and perspectives.

[Appointed 14/05/2024, re-appointed 12/05/2026]

Andrew moved back to Belfast in 2025 as AD-CEO of Beat Carnival. He is an internationally experienced director, writer, dramaturg and producer for outdoor, indoor and site-responsive performance. Previously Director of Hat Fair, Winchester 2017-2025 where he championed Irish artists with support from Culture Ireland, director of Right Up Our Street, Doncaster Creative People and Places 2013-2017, including creating DNweekeND festival. Dramaturg on projects with Company Chameleon and Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre. Recent freelance projects include writing for Welsh National Opera – winning the Iris Film Festival Community award. Currently creating a float to head up Belfast Pride 2026.

[Appointed 12/05/2026]