Her work as founder and conductor of the school choir has brought artistic expression to a whole new level, while at the same time empowering a generation of young deaf women and promoting awareness of deaf culture and communication. St Mary's School for Deaf Girls has performed at national and international events including Feel the Music in Bonn and the 50th International Eurcharistic Congress. Shirley has also developed a Transition Year module in Irish Sign Language which her and her students teach to young people in mainstream second-level schools.