Dublin Theatre Festival appoints new director

A new director has been appointed to the helm of the Dublin Theatre Festival as it heads into its 50th celebrations, it was confirmed today.

Loughlin Deegan, who was the executive producer of Rough Magic Theatre Company, will official take up the post of artistic director and chief executive next January.

Peter Crowley, chairman of the festival, said: “We are very pleased that Loughlin Deegan, with his wealth of experience in theatre, has accepted the position and I look forward to assisting him in making what I believe will be a significant impact on the 50th festival and for many years beyond.

“At this time I would like to pay tribute to the great work Don Shipley has done during his time with the Festival and wish him all the best for the future in his new role in Canada.”

This year’s festival ran from September 18 to October 14 with works including Hedda Gabler, Emilia Galotti and The Exonerated.

Mr Deegan has worked with a number of theatre companies including Druid Theatre Company, Yew Theatre Company and the Belltable Arts Centre. His first play, The Stomping Ground, produced by Red Kettle Theatre Company in 1997, opened in Waterford and toured the country.

“As sorry as I am to be leaving Rough Magic at such an exciting time in the company’s development, the role of Artistic Director of the Dublin Theatre Festival is a responsibility that I have long cherished,” Mr Deegan said.

“I look forward to working with the festival board, as well as the Irish theatre community and my international contacts to ensure that the 50th anniversary programme is a genuinely unforgettable celebration of Irish and international theatre that will also point the way forward as the festival continues to grow in strength and stature over the coming years.”

His other works include The Queen and Peacock, a one-act play, One Man Down and a short film.