The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, has announced the appointment of Dr Moling Ryan as Interim Director of the Arts Council.
Dr Ryan replaces previous Director Maureen Kennelly, who stepped down from her position in June.
He served as Chief Executive of the Legal Aid Board for a decade and previously held the position of Interim Director and Chief Executive of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) for 15 months, up to March 2019.
Other roles include Adviser to the National Concert Hall, Director of Human Resources and Change Management in the Courts Service, and various posts in Government Departments, including the former Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
In addition, Dr Ryan has completed consultancy work in multiple Government offices and served as a member of the Policing Authority for eight years.
His appointment to the Arts Council is on an interim basis for up to 12 months or until a permanent Director is appointed through a competitive process.
Minister O’Donovan noted the importance of the appointment in providing continuity during a time of increased government investment in the arts. The Arts Council’s funding has risen by 75% in recent years, reaching €140 million in 2025.
In a statement, Chair of the Arts Council, Maura McGrath, welcomed the appointment: "I look forward to working with Moling and anticipate that his vast knowledge and experience will be of real value to the Arts Council at this time. On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Moling and wish him all the best in his new role."
