Shona McCarthy Appointed Arts Council of Ireland Director as Organisation Enters New Chapter Under EU Presidency
Shona McCarthy has been appointed as the new Director of the Arts Council of Ireland, with the consent of Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan, taking the helm of the country's principal arts funding body at a moment of significant opportunity as Ireland holds the EU Council Presidency and the cultural sector enters a period of renewed ambition and investment.
Background
The Arts Council of Ireland is the primary public body responsible for funding and developing the arts in Ireland, distributing approximately €130 million annually to artists, arts organisations, and arts centres across the country. The council's decisions shape the cultural landscape of Ireland in fundamental ways, determining which organisations receive the support they need to sustain their work and which artists have access to the resources required to develop their practice.
The appointment of a new director is always a significant moment for the arts sector, as the director's vision and priorities inevitably influence the council's strategic direction and its relationships with the organisations and artists it funds. The outgoing director had led the council through the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath, overseeing a significant expansion of the council's budget and a broadening of its engagement with communities across the country.
Shona McCarthy brings a distinctive background to the role. She has extensive experience in arts leadership and international cultural programming, with a particular expertise in festival management and cross-border cultural collaboration. Her appointment has been welcomed by the arts sector as a signal of the council's commitment to international engagement and to the development of Irish arts on the global stage.
Key Developments
McCarthy's appointment was announced with the consent of Minister O'Donovan, following a competitive recruitment process. She takes up the role at a moment when the Arts Council is playing a central role in Ireland's EU Presidency cultural programme, Cultúr 2026, which has launched in Brussels with a series of events showcasing Irish arts and culture across Europe.
The €6.5 million Cultúr 2026 programme, which runs for the duration of Ireland's six-month EU Presidency, includes major commissions in Brussels, an expanded programme at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, and events across all 26 counties of Ireland. The Arts Council's involvement in the programme reflects its growing role as a vehicle for Irish cultural diplomacy as well as domestic arts development.
McCarthy's appointment also coincides with the Arts Council's participation in the National Ploughing Championships 2026, where the organisation is presenting a programme of traditional storytelling, lace-making workshops, and musical performances — a reflection of its commitment to bringing arts and culture to audiences beyond the traditional urban cultural centres.
Minister O'Donovan welcomed the appointment, describing McCarthy as "an outstanding leader with a proven track record in arts management and international cultural programming." He said he looked forward to working with her to develop the Arts Council's strategic vision for the coming years.
Why It Matters
The appointment of a new Arts Council director is significant for the entire Irish arts sector, which depends on the council's funding and advocacy for its survival and development. McCarthy's background in international cultural programming suggests that she will bring a strong emphasis on Ireland's engagement with the global arts community — a priority that aligns well with the opportunities created by the EU Presidency and by Ireland's growing international cultural profile.
The timing of the appointment is also significant. The Irish arts sector is in a period of genuine renewal following the disruptions of the pandemic, with audiences returning to theatres, galleries, and concert halls and with a new generation of Irish artists achieving international recognition. The Arts Council's ability to support and amplify that renewal will depend in large part on the strategic vision and leadership of its new director.
The EU Presidency context is particularly relevant. Ireland's six-month presidency of the EU Council provides an extraordinary platform for Irish arts and culture, with the Cultúr 2026 programme creating opportunities for Irish artists and organisations to engage with European audiences and institutions at the highest level. McCarthy's experience in international cultural programming makes her well placed to maximise the impact of this opportunity.
Local Impact
For arts organisations across Ireland — from the major national institutions in Dublin to the regional arts centres in Sligo, Kilkenny, and Tralee — the appointment of a new Arts Council director is a moment of both opportunity and uncertainty. The council's funding decisions affect the viability of hundreds of organisations and the livelihoods of thousands of artists, and the new director's priorities will inevitably shape the distribution of resources across the sector.
For artists working in communities across the country — in rural areas, in disadvantaged urban communities, and in the Irish language community — the Arts Council's commitment to equitable access to arts funding and to the development of arts practice outside the major urban centres will be a key concern. McCarthy's track record in community-engaged arts programming will be closely watched by organisations working in these areas.
What's Next
McCarthy will take up her role as Arts Council Director in the coming weeks. Her first major public engagement is expected to be at Culture Night on September 18, where the Arts Council will be a central presence across the country. The council's strategic plan for 2027-2031 is expected to be developed during the first year of her tenure, providing a framework for the organisation's priorities and investment decisions for the coming years.
