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New Executive Director at Siamsa Tíre, Róisín McGarr.
SIAMSA TÍRE has announced the appointment of Róisín McGarr as the new Executive Director for Siamsa Tíre – Home to the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.
The role of Executive Director will be to lead and manage Siamsa Tíre strategically into the future as a national cultural institution.
The current CEO, Catríona Fallon, stood down from her role at the end of May 2019, but will remain with the organisation in a part-time capacity curating the visual arts programme.
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Originally from Dublin, Róisín has a diverse professional background across varied business environments in both the public and private sector.
Since 2003, she has managed arts and cultural organisations in Ireland and the UK, including The Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Visual and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow and The Axis Centre, Ballymun, Dublin as well as Spirit Level, the dedicated Learning and Participation hub within the Southbank Centre, London.
Róisín has produced and toured award-winning professional theatre productions nationally and internationally.
Her venue programming encompasses local, national and international work and spans the visual and performing arts in all its forms, as well as literature, film and participatory programming.
She has also collaborated to host, co-produce and contribute programming to established festivals such as The Dublin Theatre Festival, The Dublin Fringe Festival, The Darklight Film Festival, The Dublin Dance Festival, The Bealtaine Festival, Culture Night, Carlow Arts Festival and The International Pan-Celtic Festival.
She has served as a management consultant to a range of commercial businesses as well as government and arts organisations including Dublin City Council, the Cathedral Quarter Belfast’s Business Improvement District, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre, and the Irish Aerial Creation Centre.
“Siamsa Tíre’s reputation as a receiving and producing venue, with deep local roots and strong global reach is well recognised. I’m thrilled to join the venue’s excellent team at the beginning of this year’s Festival of Folk. The unique character of Siamsa Tíre provides exciting opportunities to bring the best of arts and entertainment to Kerry as well as bringing the best of Kerry and Irish folk culture to a worldwide audience. I’m looking forward to working with the team here, our partners and the wider community to ensure Siamsa Tíre continues to go from strength to strength,” said Róisín McGarr.
Pat Dawson, Chair of Siamsa Tíre Board added, “On behalf of the Board of Siamsa Tíre, we would like to welcome Róisín as she leads the organisation into a new and exciting chapter. We would also like to thank Catriona for her many years of dedication and leading the organisation through tough economic times. Catriona has also been instrumental in driving the organisation through the greening process making Siamsa Tíre Ireland’s only certified venue and a case study for other venues to emulate, helping us all to minimise our impact on the environment. We are delighted that we are not losing her completely as she will continue to manage the Gallery programme.”
Róisín holds a BA in English Literature and Art History, an MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management, a post-graduate Diploma in Business Development and Law Society of Ireland certifications in Corporate Governance and Charity Law.
