ABOUT
Sheila’s first paid work was writing for the Evening Press aged about 7. In the years that followed she got all kinds of work experience, including chambermaiding, streetmusician, clothes designer and sweet factory operative, before joining the National Museum of Ireland where she spent 6 years in conservation and research.
In 1986 Sheila joined RTÉ , the Irish state broadcaster. Here she produced, directed and commissioned programmes of every genre for TV and Radio along with working on RTE corporate strategic development.
Appointed Commissioning Editor, Young Peoples in 2004, with digital technologies in the early stages of development, Sheila created a large innovative, multi-skilled in-house production unit capable of responding to the evolving demands of children and teenagers. capable of meeting the rapidly changing needs of young people. She worked with the emerging Irish animation sector to strengthen their mission and in the independent production sector she developed an ethos and market for childrens content commissioning many 100’s of hours from them.
In 2012 Sheila was appointed Group Head, RTE Childrens and Controller, RTÉjr with the specific task of setting up RTEjr, RTE’s 3rd TV channel and for developing this brand for children across TV, Radio, Mobile and Online.
Formerly Chair of The Ark Cultural centre for Children and Vice-Chair, EBU Youth Experts Group, Sheila is currently a board member of the Irish Film Institute and the Mary Raftery Journalism Fund Advisory Group.
In December 2017 Sheila moved on from RTE. She is currently working on a number of creative and management projects.