Search begins for replacement to head up Limerick City of Culture

A replacement to head up the Limerick City of Culture year-long project has finally been advertised, over two months after the resignation of former CEO Patricia Ryan.

Controversy surrounding Ms Ryan’s appointment to the €120,000 position failed to abate after it emerged the 18-month contract was not advertised.

A former adviser to Pat Cox, chairman of the board of Limerick City of Culture, Ms Ryan also worked as an adviser to Mary Harney when she was minister for health.

Limerick city and county manager Conn Murray, who recommended Ms Ryan for the post, insists he used a process which is “highly acceptable in the context of the private sector” to ensure the most appropriate person was put in place to do the job.

Ms Ryan’s decision to step down on January 5 followed the resignations of artistic director Wallace Karl Wallace on the eve of the launch and the decision by two programmers to withdraw their services.

Limerick-based academic and internationally renowned curator Mike Fitzpatrick was appointed interim chief of the City of Culture festival seven weeks ago.

The decision to finally advertise for the position of director for Limerick City of Culture was taken after a board meeting on February 27. The board has opted to appoint one person rather than replace both CEO and artistic director.

It’s understood it arrived at that decision on the basis that the programme for the year-long festival is already in place.

According to the job advertisement applicants have until March 18 to apply for the position.

The job spec states interested applicants must have “in-depth management experience as well as an awareness of the local national and creative and cultural environment”.

No salary scale is specified, however, the role is described as a senior management position within the public sector.

Limerick City of Culture has also issued a tender for the “provision of marketing and communication services”.

It is unclear how much this tender is worth, but only contracts over €50,000 are required to be advertised publicly.