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The Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapies represents over 200 registered art, dance-movement,

The Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapies represents over 200 registered art, dance-movement, drama and music therapists working across Ireland in health, educational, social care, disability & community settings. The Creative Art Therapies are evidence-based health professions, defined as the planned and creative use of a specific art form to accomplish individualised clinical goals within

a therapeutic relationship by a qualified Creative Arts Therapist. Therapists work with individuals and groups of all ages focusing on physical, communicative, psychosocial, cognitive and emotional needs. Therapists work alone, in collaboration and as an integrated part of multi-disciplinary teams, assessing clients’ needs, designing and implementing therapy programmes and evaluating interventions. IACAT’s members have Master’s level qualifications in their specific arts therapy and adhere to our Code of Ethics. The IACAT monitors professional practice, promotes the Creative Arts Therapies and is working towards statutory recognition. Statutory Recognition will promote the highest standards of practice among therapists, ensure that qualified, regulated professionals deliver services and safeguard the public. Training - IACAT approves 3 Creative Arts Therapy Master's programs in the Republic of Ireland:

MA in Music Therapy, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick

MA in Art Therapy, Crawford college of Art and Design, Cork Institute of Technology

For further information on Creative Arts Therapies, services, therapists or training contact (087) 9921746 [email protected] www.iacat.ie www.facebook.com/iacatireland

12/06/2026

The photos taken by Tara , Student Council Member 2025/2026, reflect how much our members enjoyed the workshops on Sunday, as part of the AGM celebration and the 40th anniversary. 🎉 🎊 🥳

Thank you, Tara, for this lovely gift and for capturing such special moments. ✨

11/06/2026

Celebrating 40 years of IACAT alongside those who have been an essential part of its history. ✨

Sincere thanks to all those who have been part of IACAT over the years as Chairs and Council members, for their commitment, dedication, and contribution to the growth and strengthening of the Association.

Throughout its history, IACAT has been guided by numerous Chairs whose leadership has been key to its development and consolidation.

Special thanks to the Chair, Andrea Plunkett, who is completing her term, as well as former Chairs Gerri Geoghegan and Vanessa Smith, present at the AGM, representing different stages in the Association’s history.

The Council 2025/2026 continues this journey of collaborative work built across many generations of IACAT, supporting its growth and its work in advocating for the recognition of Creative Arts Therapies, with a view to the transition towards the Council 2026/2027.

Sincere thanks to all IACAT members who participated in the AGM and the 40th anniversary celebrations, including current Council 2025/2026 members and former Council members from different periods, reflecting the continuity, legacy, and sense of community that define IACAT. 💜🧡

09/06/2026

What a wonderful weekend of connection, learning and celebration as we came together for the IACAT AGM and to mark 40 years of IACAT 🎉.

Our AGM was held at Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel ( ), with workshop sessions taking place in the beautiful Treehouse Stretch Tent, offering a unique and inspiring setting for reflection, creativity and community ✨.

Over the weekend, members participated in:

✨ Weaving Ritual into Sustainable Therapeutic Practice
Facilitated by Lucy Hyland ( )

✨ “Letting your soft animal body love what it loves” – Finding Rest and Support for our Professional Practice through Moving with the More-than-Human
Facilitated by Anna Fiona Keogh

✨ Aligned & Designed: Creative’s Business – Draw Your Perfect Business
Facilitated by Anya Spark ( )

A sincere thank you to our workshop facilitators and to everyone who joined us for such a meaningful and memorable weekend 💜🧡.

💬 Were you at any of these workshops? We’d love to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

08/06/2026

IACAT expresses its gratitude to the Council 2025–2026 for their work, commitment, and ongoing contribution to the development of the organisation throughout the year, as well as for their dedication to raising awareness of creative arts therapies and to the recognition of the professions.

Council 2025–2026:
Andrea Clare Plunkett — Council Chairperson
Anya Spark — Council Treasurer
Heather Turkington — Co Vice Chair
Ciara O’Sullivan — Co Vice Chair
Nóemie Cattez — Council Secretary
Tara Donoghue — Student Council Member
Sofía Nikodem — Council Member
Tara Mulvihill — Council Member
Emma Cullen — Council Member
Diana Whelan Porter — Council Member
Caroline Murphy — Council Member

IACAT extends special thanks to Andrea Clare Plunkett and Emma Cullen, who are concluding their term on the 2025–2026 Council, for their valuable contribution, commitment, and dedication during their time on the Council.

Thanks so much for all your work and support 💜🧡✨

07/06/2026

A weekend to remember ✨

IACAT members came together for the AGM 2026 and the IACAT 40th Anniversary Festival, held at , for a weekend of connection, learning, and celebration💜🧡

Throughout the weekend, members shared Council business updates and sub-committee reports, with both in-person and online participation during the sessions. Inspiring workshops were also delivered by Lucy Highland , Anna Fiona Keogh and Anya Spark at the Tree House Stretch Tent.

The 40th Anniversary was marked with a fantastic festival featuring BBQ, music, dancing, and a wonderful sense of community 🎊

A special thank you to Sarah Keating & Katie Fitzpatrick , who joined the dinner with their voices and instruments, creating a beautiful atmosphere ✨

Huge thanks also to Bernadette Moran and her band Pléaráca for keeping everyone dancing and filling the evening with energy and music 🎉

Special thanks as well to Vicky Linnane for curating playlists and supporting the musical moments throughout the event 🎶

Thank you to all members and participants who helped make this milestone weekend so special 💜🧡

Here’s to the next chapter of IACAT 🎉

05/06/2026

📣 Tomorrow we gather for the IACAT AGM 2026 and the celebration of the 40th anniversary 🎉.
Thank you to everyone who has registered to be part of it, whether attending in person or online 📍 💻. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this special occasion together ✨.
‼️Please use the hashtag and don’t forget to tag us so we can share your posts from the event 💜🧡.

26/05/2026

Heather Turkington, Co-Vice Chair of IACAT, joined The Art of Healing to speak about dramatherapy; explaining what it is, how it works, and how it is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy, as well as its many benefits.

If you’d like to listen to the full episode, you can find it on Spotify.

Thank you, , for helping bring dramatherapy to more people, and thank you to for the space. ✨

20/05/2026

📢 AGM 2026 — tickets still available!

If you haven’t secured your tickets for the IACAT AGM 2026 yet, you’re still in time.

Tickets are available through the IACAT website, and we warmly invite all members to join us for this important event. A space to connect, share, and engage with colleagues across the community.

This year will be especially meaningful as IACAT celebrates its 40th anniversary 🎉

🎟️ Find the links to book your ticket in our bio!

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

13/05/2026

IACAT invite you to read this article by RTÉ about “Mothers in Harmony”, a Dublin-based initiative using group singing as a way to support the emotional wellbeing of new mothers and their babies ✨.

The piece highlights the role of music as a space for connection, bonding, and emotional support during the perinatal period 🎶.

We are also pleased to highlight the work of music therapist Laoise Fitzgerald, a professional member of IACAT, who leads the project and brings music into meaningful community care settings.

👉 Read the full article on RTÉ.

With thanks to for sharing initiatives that highlight the social and therapeutic value of music.

13/05/2026

🧠 At IACAT, we support taking action for mental health, in ways that are real and possible for each person.

Sometimes it’s speaking up. Sometimes it’s listening. Sometimes it’s creating.

Creative arts therapies can help give space for that.

💬 What does “taking action” mean to you?

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PO Box 4176, Dublin 8
Dublin

Telephone

087 992 1746

Website

http://www.iacat.ie/

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