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A Playful City is composed of a multidisciplinary team who have been brought together by their shared passion for making a difference through meaningful consultation and playful design.

 
AARON COPELAND
Creative Director

Aaron has worked for thirteen years in arts and community event management and is a founding member of Eek Arts Collective, Upstart, Upon A Tree and A Playful City. Aaron’s work has been recognised and awarded nationally as well as internationally as a founding member of Upstart. He was a core project manager on the internationally award-winning Granby Park. 

NAOMI MURPHY
Creative Director

With her degree in Creative and Cultural Industries and subsequent Masters in Design Practice, Naomi approaches events in a more innovative way - through a creative, collaborative and user-led design lens. Naomi was Head of Operations at national events platform Happenings: producing 60+ events per year. Naomi is also a director of Connect the Dots.

 
MARISA DENKER
Creative Director

With an honours degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Marisa was awarded an international Fulbright fellowship to engage in a Masters of Arts in Design Practice at DIT to develop a platform for better connecting people through events. Marisa is also a director of Connect the Dots, an award-winning start-up specialised in people-first event design, backed by Enterprise Ireland. 

NEASA NI BHRIAIN
Creative Director

Neasa has a first class honours degree in law and practiced as a barrister at law from 2006 – 2015, with a special interest in environmental and human rights law. Neasa lectures at UCD on a Msc in Urban Studies and is also director of Upon A Tree, a social enterprise that designs  sustainable play spaces and events across Ireland.

 
 
 
MEABH O'DONNELL
Head of Research

Meabh brings eight years of market research experience with her.  Previous to becoming our Head of Research Meabh was an Associate Director in Amárach Research where she oversaw both qualitative and quantitative projects. Meabh has a strong marketing and business background earning an Honours Masters in Marketing from Dublin City University specialising in online Market Research Techniques, as well as an Honours Undergraduate Degree in Business Studies and Marketing.   

 
BARRY SHEEHAN
Head of Design

Barry joined the A Playful City Team as lead designer in 2017. Barry is Head of Design and Assistant Head of School at the Dublin School of Creative Arts at DIT. Barry has been the principal of award winning design practices in Dublin. He has regularly lectured on his work to the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), National Gallery and National Craft Gallery amongst others