Meet the Team

Tanya Walsh

Tanya is a highly-skilled, experienced course co-ordinator in the areas of drama and communication within Ireland and the UK. She prides herself on guiding and supporting children of all ages to be confident in their expression of themselves.

Her work is child-led and based on process rather than a fixed, end result; there is constant adjustment to the course content depending on the needs of the children within the group. She has designed and ran courses for over twenty years working with community groups, local schools and drama schools. The courses incorporate speech and drama, voice work, acting, mime and movement. She aims to ensure all participants are comfortable and trust in the group work.

Tanya holds a BA in English Mode 1 from UCD, an Honours MA in Drama & Performance UCD and holds a Speech & Drama Teaching Diploma from Trinity Guildhall. She is delighted and honoured to be working with the Nine Hazels Team.

Dave O'Reilly

Dave has a background in physics and computer science. He has taught students of all ages and from a wide variety of sectors, ranging from judges and law enforcement officers to college students and children.

He is passionate about sharing his love of science and technology with the next generation. His skill lies in making complex ideas accessible through hands-on experiments and practical projects that encourage children to ask questions, solve problems and discover how the world works. He holds a MSc in Experimental Physics.

Dave has had a varied career, mostly working in the technology sector. His experience ranges from setting up new startups to senior roles in multinational tech companies. He also helped to co-found the Cybercrime centre in University College Dublin.

Liz O'Reilly

Liz is the coordinator and planner behind Nine Hazels, bringing together the ideas, activities, and day-to-day organisation that make each session possible.

She holds a BA Hons in Languages and has always been passionate about inspiring curiosity, nurturing a sense of wonder, and sharing her love of learning with children.

Liz will be there in a supportive role to help the children and the teachers.

Liz and Dave were inspired to start Nine Hazels as they realised that not every child fits neatly into a traditional education system. Having two older children who attended mainstream school, it was a surprise to see that it wasn’t the right environment for their youngest son and that his curiosity and natural talents weren’t being fostered and nourished. He needed more room and freedom to learn and grow.

They believe that every child deserves an environment in which they can thrive. We were delighted when Tanya, who shares our vision came on board. Together, we are excited to deliver the Nine Hazels classes and look forward to meeting everyone.

Why Nine Hazels?

The name Nine Hazels comes from an ancient Irish legend about the salmon of knowledge. In one of the oldest surviving version of the story dating from the 12th century, nine hazel trees grew around a sacred well. The hazelnuts were said to contain the wisdom of the world. They fell into the water where they were eaten by the salmon. Legend had it that the first person to eat the salmon would gain its knowledge.

A local fisherman named Finegas had spent years searching for the salmon. When he finally found it, he asked a young boy called Fionn MacCumhaill to prepare it. While cooking the salmon, Fionn burnt his thumb and licked it. In that moment he gained the salmon’s wisdom.

To us, the Nine Hazels symbolise knowledge, curiosity and the joy of discovery. They are also a celebration of our rich Irish heritage of storytelling and culture.