Community Circle Drumming

Places I have Worked

I played djembe on stage at Electric Picnic performing with beautiful soul that is Barra O’ Flanniagh of Slí na Croí who is well known for his dedication and expertise in Malinké music of Upper Guinea. I facilitated workshops at musical festivals such as Knockinstockan, Body & Soul and Livestock 

I have met the most amazing and inspiring people through my drumming journey; and have some truly
memorable moments from drumming with teenagers in Belfast, in high security psychaitric units and prisons, to family days where grandad gets to drum with his grandchild, for Celtic ceremonies and festivals, witnessing twin boys who were severely and profoundly disabled and non verbal sit on the floor with 2 small drums and communicate with each other through the drum (priceless).

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See below some of the places my drumming has taken me. Any of the organisations listen below would be happy to provide feedback on my facilitation and workshops if required.

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. ST Patricks university hospital, mental health services, Dublin

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.Parkinsons association Ireand

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.No name youth club, Hollywood Wicklow

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·      ​KARE: Athy, Tinahely, Naas, Clane, Newbridge, Edenderry, Kildare

·      Barrettstown Castle with children who are seriously and terminally ill

·      Primary and Secondary Schools

·      St. John of Gods, Dublin

·      St. Patricks SpecialNeeds School Kilkenny

·      St. Annes Special Needs School Kildare

·  LauraLynn foundation only hospice care centre in Ireland providing palliative care for children and loving support for their families.

  EVE Centres: Kildare and Dublin, Day programme for adults with special needs

·      Laois Autism Resource Centre (weekend camp out with children and their families to include drum and horse therapy)

·      Camphill Community Dunshane Kildare

·      Sankalpa, Finglas: drug treatment centre

·      St. Michael's House: Goatstown, Dundrum and Leinster road

·      Shelton Abbey Open Prison, Arklow, Wicklow

·      St Helena's Resource Centre in Finglas

·      Cuan Mhuire: drug rehabilatation units in Athy, Limerick, Cork and Newry(on going work)

·      Stagecoach Drama School, Kildare

·      Wicklow and Kildare Scouts, Cubs and Beavers

·      Youth clubs

·      Simon Community, Dublin

·      St. Vincents High Security Mental Hospital, Drumcondra, Dublin

·      Lakeview, Psychiatric hospital; Naas, Co. Kildare

·      Transition year students, Cross and Passion Secondary school, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare

·      Smarmore Castle Private Clinic, Ardee, Co. Louth

·      Rutland Private Clinic, Dublin

·      Hydebanlk Woods Prison, in Belfast

·      Youth work with the community of the Shortstrand Road, Belfast

·      La Nua and the Dara Project: both are day programme's for those in recovery from addiction

·      Mountjoy High Security Medical Unit and Main Prison, Dublin

·      I achieved an Artist Residency for a month in 2018 on Inis Oirr, Aran Islands, Galway. Facilitating workshops in the schools and with the islanders and all ais gaelige. This gave me the invaluable opportunity to research and explore our own traditional rhythms and songs.

·      Teenagers project on the Shortstand Road, Belfast

Schools / Colleges

I facilitate workshops nationwide for schools; primary, secondary, third level colleges and universities. This is very popular for children of all ages. One day workshops are available, as are weekly classes. I tailor the workshop to suit all levels of ability and age. I especially find my drumming workshops beneficial for teenagers in secondary level and also third level education. It helps reduce stress especially around exam times. Drumming can help with boosting brain power, developing confidence, improving communication skills and making friends. It also helps participants to connect and feel a sense of belonging.

Adults & Children with Complex Needs

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I facilitate Community Circle Drumming for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. I find drumming particularly helpful for adults and children with special needs who are non verbal,  as it gives them the opportunity to express themselves and find their voice in this unique way. These drumming workshops are a great success with the participants who look forward to it every week. The benefits have proven to be invaluable. I have learnt that individuals with special needs enjoy participating as it puts everybody on equal footing and it becomes all about their ability to participate at their own level without  judgement.  The rhythms allow the participants to express themselves and to have fun.

Other benefits of drumming include:
• Reducing tension, anxiety and depression
• Boosting the immune system
• Increasing energy
• Releasing negative feelings
• Creating social interactions and feeling a sense of community
• Improving language
• Releasing negative feelings and emotional trauma
• Providing a sense of self-worth

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I spend a  lot of time with children who are profoundly and severely challenged both intellectually and physically. One approach I adopt when working with children who are nonverbal and physically confined (in wheelchairs) is to enable them to sit unconfined and to be safely seated on bean bags in the middle of the circle. As the rest of the community start to drum the child can chose to find their lost rhythm and begin to rock backwards and forwards with their new-found freedom. I often place 2 small drums on the floor beside the child and in most cases despite their physical challenges they more often start to hit their drum and, in some cases, use the drum for call and response communication (communicating with each other through the drum). I trust my instinct and I am adaptable to the complex needs of individuals and groups, to observe, listen and to be open.

People in Recovery from Addiction

Through my 15 years’ experience in this field and with a qualification in community addiction studies. I have found and research reviews indicate that drumming enhances recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. Drumming produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. Drumming alleviates selfcenteredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others. Drumming provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power and applying spiritual perspectives. Conclusions. Drumming circles have applications as complementary addiction therapy, particularly for repeated relapse and when other counseling modalities have failed.

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I work with people enrolled on a residential program. Each participant has complexed needs, some are still detoxing and are very vulnerable and some are very insular and have very low self-esteem. Some have trauma issues and childhood traumas, some have experienced abuse. I gently earn respect and never demand it and I am always conscious of ensuring my workshops are a very inclusive space. I open my workshop with a talking circle, we pass a talking stick around the circle so that each participant will say their name and one word how they are feeling. This helps me to assess energetically where individuals and the group are at and sets the tone for the direction I need to take during the workshop. It always provides reflective learning for me and the group. We close the circle with the talking stick, participants say how they are feeling after the workshop and it is interesting and insightful the journey they have been on and how their energy and thought process has changed. I feel it of the utmost importance for each participant to be heard and seen and to be treated with respect in a non–judgmental, compassionate and safe environment.

Corporate Wellness Programmes 

In a wellness drum circle for your team, it's so much more than just jamming session..although that can be part of it. The ability for your team to play a steady rhythm solely depends on their ability to work together and practice one of the most difficult skills necessary for success: LISTENING!

You have loud people that always try to dominate the groove, quiet people who are shy to play, and everyone else. Through empowering the loud people to quiet down and blend in, while the shy people speak up more (musically), your team will sound solid and will be working together in a few minutes.
Most importantly, they will feel a profound sense of unity and pride, as a team.

One of the largest groups I facilitated was with 90 medics in a team building exercise in the Carton House Hotel. My corporate workshops allow participants to explore different roles safely, connect, learn to communicate effectively in a non-verbal way and experience the joy and power of working together as a musical collective. The tools and methods that I use are simple. Hands, drums, the voice, breath and simple body
percussion are all that we need to inspire and give us a sense of being present to the rhythm, life and what is happening right now in our environment which translates into the everyday business world.

Building Teams, Effective Communication, Managing Stress, Mindfulness, The power of Silence, Leadership Development, Encouraging, Recognising , Respecting Diversity and Authenticity are all Included and addressed in my Corporate Community Drumming sessions

Drumming for Ceremony / Ritual 

I have facilitated drum circles for Spiritual ceremonies and rituals from all denominations and none. I have vast experience and combine my Celtic Shamanic studies in facilitating drum circles during Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasagh and Samhain as well as the Equinox and Solstice. In 2021 for the Winter Solstice I facilitated a drum circle for forty  people in Slane during the night before walking to Newgrange for the sunrise.

I have also facilitated a spiritual ceremony for the well known mental health organisation GROW. On a number of occasions  I have drummed with various groups at a Mass and I have been privileged to drum at funerals and weddings. I work really well with clients and adapt easily to meet their needs and expectations and enjoy creating and holding sacred space.

Prices

Rates depend on the number of participants in the group, the needs of the group and the location. 

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Please feel free to call me to discuss your particular needs further. 

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I look forward to working with you. 

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Testimonials

I' was introduced to Deirdre during my time assigned as Governor of Shelton Abbey, Open Centre. I found Deirdre to be a motivated and enthusiastic person who had no worries or concerns with facilitating classes for prisoners and in some cases their families. Deirdre's passion for the arts shines through and ensures her students warm to the information being shared. Since my recent assignment as Governor of Wheatfield Prison I have maintained contact with Deirdre who continues to be a willing and trusted part of prisoner activities.

          I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Deirdre'

Warmest regards,

Conal Healy

Governor

Wheatfield Prison

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'My proficiency on the drums left a lot to be desired. That experience confirmed me in the belief in the old saying “It is better to light a candle than to curse the dark”. You, through your therapy work, have spent many years lighting candles. We can never be sure what it will be that enables the young offender to reassess his or her life and start afresh. I was much encouraged by my visit to Hydebank Woods and the willingness there to provide various experiences as steps to rehabilitation. Your Drum Session remains in my memory as a reminder that lighting that candle can take many forms.

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Tom McNally