CL SignSearch Ltd. is a company I have set up in 2021 to manage my interpreting, translation, subtitling and editing business. It is not an agency and does not tender for contracts. I continue to work through private agencies as well as work directly with paying clients.

Interested in learning Irish Sign Language? Click Here for my advice!

PLEASE NOTE: as of 23 December 2020, the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 has been commenced.

As part of this, the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) has been established. ALL publicly funded bodies, and ALL courts, can ONLY utilise the services of Registered Interpreters. Please see here for the relevant Section of the Act.

I am very proud to be a Registered Interpreter. My name can be seen on the Published Register at RISLI’s website. You can also see my Certificate of Registration above.

Contact Details, Rates and T&Cs

• Email: cormac.leonard@protonmail.com
• Cormac’s Rates, terms and conditions
• If I have interpreted for you, and you wish to leave me feedback, please click here.
• I am currently an Active member of the Irish national ISL/English interpreter body, the Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (CISLI). I follow the CISLI Code of Ethics and am a former CISLI Secretary / Chairperson. I was also the Secretary of the Irish Association of Sign Language Interpreters prior to its closure in 2007. I am also a Professional member of the Irish Translators and Interpreters’ Association (ITIA); an Individual member of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI); and an Individual member of the European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli).

I work with reputable agencies / service providers such as

• SLIS
• Bridge Interpreting
• Sign Language Interactions
• SignVideo (formerly InterpreterNow)
• Sign Language Interactions 
• ISLI (Irish Sign Language Interpreting)
• Sign Solutions
• I also work freelance directly with paying clients.

About Me

• I am a Registered Interpreter, and member of the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters. I graduated from Trinity College’s Centre for Deaf Studies for interpreter training with a Diploma in ISL / English Interpreting in 2005. In 2006, I received R1 accreditation when I underwent the Accreditation process held by Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).
• I work primarily in the general community interpreting sector and have experience with working with a wide range of clients of different ages and language backgrounds. I interpret in medical, performance (including theatrical and standup comedy), religious, social, legal, educational and some mental health settings.
• I am comfortable with remote interpreting. My setup includes an Ethernet-wired Intel Core i7 laptop and a 2-screen setup with plain background in my home office, using a Logitech C920 30fps 1080p webcam.
• I regularly undergo Garda Vetting, most recently in February 2020 (through Bridge Interpreting), as well as AccessNI (Northern Ireland) checks, most recently in February 2022. I also received an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate for work in Northern Ireland in February 2021, via Action on Hearing Loss. I am also professionally indemnified with O’Brien Finlay Insurance Associates Limited.
• I have delivered modules of interpreter training, including modules in Simultaneous Interpreting, Translation and Interpreting Philosophy and Practice, Deaf Community and the Media, and practical placement coordination. I am interested in sociolinguistic variation in Deaf communities, especially in Irish Sign Language, and have published work in this field in Deaf Worlds. I am currently studying towards a PhD on the history of Deaf people in Irish state and voluntary institutions between 1815 and 1924. I was involved also in the ‘Signs of Ireland’ project in CDS, looking at variation within ISL.
• I possess reasonable skills in British Sign Language (particularly the Northern Irish variant) and International Sign Language. I am working on my skills in both of these languages.

CPD Delivered

• “Interpreting in GP, clinic and outpatient settings” with Tracey Daly; SLIS, Deaf Village Ireland, April 2016.

“Access to Interpreting in health settings remains a major issue for the Deaf community. SLIS expects an increased demand for sign language interpreting in medical settings as the HSE now funds interpreting for GP and primary care visits for medical card holders. In this interactive workshop, Cormac Leonard and Tracey Daly will share their experience and practical insights into medical interpreting. The workshop will cover strategies, advice and suggestions for medical interpreting in GP, clinic and outpatient settings. This workshop is ideal for interpreters involved in, or seeking to build up their competence for, health settings and GP appointments.”

CPD / Conferences Attended

• ‘techforword talks: Remote Sign Language interpreting with Oliver Pouliot‘; Zoom-based training event, June 2020
• “So, Now You’re a Video Remote Interpreter” webinar, Robyn Dean and Amanda Smith; Zoom-based training event, April 2020
• COVID-19 Seminar – discussion with interpreters about ISL vocabulary and structures relating to Coronavirus and Covid-19. Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters, Zoom-based training event, April 2020
• ‘Honouring the Past, Treasuring the Present, Shaping the Future’ – World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) conference, Paris, France, July 2019
• Church Interpreting Workshop (Frankie Berry, National Chaplaincy for Deaf People), Deaf Community Centre Limerick, July 2019
• ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ – European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli) conference, Touluse, France, September 2017
• CISLI Training Workshop, “Being a Self-Employed Interpreter”: SLIS, Dublin, September 2017 (also presented part of this event)
• CISLI Training Day, “Interpreting Systems”, by Christopher Stone: Limerick, December 2017
• Platform Interpreting workshop (Jemina Napier), June 2017
• CISLI Presentation Evening, Caroline McGrotty – Research on third-level education interpreting; Dr John Bosco Conama – the ISL Bill and how it will affect interpreters: Centre for Deaf Studies, Dublin, December 2016
• CISLI Training Day, “Working with Deaf Interpreters” by Teresa Lynch & Frankie Berry: Limerick, October 2016
• CISLI Training Day, “Interpreting in Mental Health Settings” by Dr Margaret du Feu: Limerick, March 2015
• “Interpreting Ethics: Theory and Practice” by Dr John Bosco Conama & Lisa Harvey: One-day workshop, Dublin, November 2014
• “The Powerful Voiceover” by Liz Scott-Gibson: Two-day workshop, Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), Dublin, September 2014
• “Teaming & Critiquing” by Andy Carmichael & Oliver Pouliot – half-day workshop, Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), Dublin, October 2013
• Church Interpreting Workshop by Frankie Berry – National Chaplaincy for Deaf People, Deaf Village Ireland, July 2013
• “Legal Interpreting: Setting the scene” – Legal Interpreting Master Class (Peter Llewellyn-Jones) Dublin, June 2013
• ‘Be aware! Power and responsibility in the field of sign language interpreting’ – European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli) conference, Vienna, Austria, September 2012
• Liturgical and Religious Signs Workshop (National Chaplaincy for Deaf People), Dublin Deaf Club, March 2010
• ASLIA 2010 National Congress, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, August 2010
  Supporting Deaf People online conference, Jan 2010
• “Watch your Language!” – one day conference for BSL interpreters, City Lit University, London, April 2009
• Legal Interpreting workshop (Centre for Sign Language Studies Galway), Dublin, Dec 2009
• Medical Interpreting Workshop (Deaf Communications), Dublin, May 2009
• “Deaf-Hearing Team Interpreting Development” workshop (Steve Walker, SLIS / Gallaudet University), Dublin, April 2008
• World Association of Sign Language Interpreters conference, Segovia, Spain, July 2007
• “Presentation Skills in the Delivery of Interpreted Discourse” – 8 hour advanced CPD training by Evelyn Nolan-Conroy, Centre for Sign Language Studies Galway), Galway, Dec 2005
• “An Introduction to Professional Interpreting” – nine-month awareness training course run by Cork Association for Deaf People and Conroy School of ISL, Cork City, 2001-2002

Sample of Work

Here is a sample of my English-to-ISL work, where I interpret for Leaders’ Questions in the Irish Oireachtas (national parliament). Originally broadcast on Oireachtas TV live Youtube feed, 8 July 2015.

PLEASE NOTE: As of October 2018, in view of recent issues relating to Deaf people’s access to public events, and provision of interpretation that is not meaningful or accessible to Deaf people, I have decided to only accept assignments where meaningful access is provided.

I do not accept assignments where Deaf people are not present, not able to access the interpretation fully, or where only minimal efforts have been made to ensure their participation in an event.

For my personal blog entry on this, please click here and read my piece, ‘Access’ that isn’t meaningful, isn’t accessible.

Feedback from Clients

• “Excellent service provided on the day. Prompt and thorough communication throughout process.“

• “Very professional in approach, client focused and excellent in interaction between client and presenter.”

• “Very pleased with everything. You made everything so easy and comfortable for me to understand. You were very approachable and pleasant. Keep up the good work.”

• “I believe that Cormac is natural at his Interpreting skills at stand-up comedy style. Clear interpreter and clear translation of humour.”

• “We were very happy with Cormac’s work at the event. We have used his services in the past and he is always professional, helpful and well presented at our commemorative events. We would happily recommend his services to others.”

• “Not only were you professional [at the wedding], you ensured that we were fully involved, particularly in the church and the after-dinner speeches. We both enjoyed your performance in the church; your translation of the songs was wonderful… Your language skills are excellent including your voice over.”