Donal Shiels has worked in the arts and entertainment industry in Ireland and abroad for more than twenty years as a producer and promoter of theatre, opera, music and dance. Some of the leading Irish companies he has worked with include Opera Ireland, Druid, Gúna Nua Theatre Company, Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Rex Levitates Dance Company, Second Age Theatre Company, The Gaiety Theatre and The Olympia Theatre. Outside of Ireland he has worked with Imagination London and Disney Theatrical.

In 2003-2004 he managed the China / Ireland Cultural Exchange on behalf of the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism. This was the largest ever cultural exchange between Ireland and any other country and included all art forms.

In late 2004 he became Chief Executive of St Patrick’s Festival – the largest annual festival in Ireland. He headed the festival for five years, introduced a new range of new arts and cultural events during that period.

From 2009 he was the Executive Producer with Lane Productions, producing The Shawshank Redemption (Dublin & West End), Stones in His Pockets (Dublin & Irish Tour), Haunted by Edna O’Brien (UK & Irish Tour) and The Field by John B Keane (Dublin & Irish Tour).

In 2011 he established Verdant Productions; the company produces and promotes a range of theatre, music and comedy in Ireland and abroad.

Productions:

My Romantic History by D.C.Jackson ( Viking Theatre), A Holy Show by Janet Moran (Irish Tour & Pleasance at Edinburgh Fringe), Class by Iseult Golden & David Horan (Irish tour), Brothers of the Brush by Jimmy Murphy (Viking Theatre & Irish tour), Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo adapted by Simon Reade (Irish tour & off Broadway & US tour), Copper Face Jack's The Musical by Paul Howard (Olympia Theatre), Trainspotting (Olympia Theatre). The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan (Gaiety Theatre), Signatories at Kilmainham Gaol (UCD) Kings of Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy (Gaiety Theatre),The Night Joe Dolan’s Car Broke Down by Padraic McIntyre (Olympia Theatre), David McSavage Live (Irish Tour), Guerilla Days in Ireland (Olympia Theatre & National Tour).Anglo The Musical by Paul Howard at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre & The Olympia Theatre. Alone It Stands by John Breen at The Olympia Theatre, Peter Sheridan called Break a Leg at Project Arts Centre.47 Roses by Peter Sheridan (Bewleys Café Theatre, Irish Tour & Waterloo East, London)