Willie White, Artistic Director & CEO of the festival said: “I’m delighted that Pádraig and Úna have joined the board of Dublin Theatre Festival to contribute their wide experience and abundant skills to the governance and strategic direction of the organisation. I look forward to working with them and the wider board to plan an exciting future for the festival in the coming years”.

Úna Carmody

Úna Carmody is a consultant in the arts and culture, with a special interest in audience development and strategic planning. Recent clients have included The Arts Council, for whom she researched and wrote the COVID response document “Survive Adapt Renew”; Central Bank of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland and the RDS. Prior to becoming a consultant Úna worked in a variety of theatre marketing roles, including for the Abbey, Gaiety and Gate Theatres, and was Marketing Manager of the DTF in 1991. She has also been CEO of the Helix, and worked from 2001 – 2004 for the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon. She has also served on a number of arts boards and was Chair of Dublin Fringe Festival.

Pádraig Ó’Céidigh

A fluent Gaelic speaker and Connemara native, Pádraig received his third level education in NUIG before having careers in accountancy, teaching and as a solicitor. He is passionate about community support and has led fundraising events which raised significant amounts (over €2m) for Temple Street Hospital in Dublin and various other charities over the years. Pádraig served as an Independent Senator (nominated by the Taoiseach) and member of the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport from 2016-2020, and spoke at United Nations in New York in supporting Ireland’s application for a seat at the UN Security Council. He is Adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship and Business in NUI Galway, and was awarded Business Alumni of the Year by NUIG. He is a former board member of RTÉ, CROI, Board Iascaigh Mhara, Fáilte Ireland West and Chair of the National GAA Research Board. He is also founder of a number of other companies in publishing, music, aircraft maintenance, outsourcing, homecare and internet marketing.