Arts Council Appoints Shona McCarthy as New Director
We are delighted to congratulate Shona McCarthy on her appointment as new Director for The Arts Council of Ireland.
Ms McCarthy has been appointed to the role with the consent of the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and is expected to take up the position in the coming weeks.
A native of Ballycran in County Down, McCarthy joins the Arts Council from her roles as Chair of the International Fund for Ireland and as a member of the Expert Panel on the UK City of Culture.
Shona previously served as Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the charity that underpins the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, from 2015 to 2025. Her appointment brings extensive senior leadership experience and a deep knowledge of the arts sector in Ireland and internationally.
McCarthy has also served as Chair of Walk the Plank in Manchester and Chair of the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast. She holds honorary doctorates from a number of UK universities, including Queen Margaret University Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University.
Speaking about the appointment, Chair of the Arts Council Maura McGrath said:
‘The Arts Council welcomes the appointment of Shona McCarthy to the role of Director. Shona is a champion of art in all its forms and brings a wealth of deep experience in cultural leadership at home and internationally. Her clear commitment to developing opportunities for artists, and access and participation for audiences, is shared with the Arts Council. Her leadership will bring a new perspective and a fresh focus to the organisation’s work, as it continues to develop the arts in Ireland on behalf of the State. The Arts Council and the sector will benefit greatly from her expertise and vision.
I wish to extend sincere thanks to Moling Ryan for his contributions as Interim Director. He brought a steadying hand to the organisation at a time of great challenge and reset. Today’s appointment continues this process of renewal for the organisation.’
For more information see artscouncil.ie/news/arts-council-announces-appointment-of-shona-mccarthy-as-the-new-director-of-the-arts-council/