News Archive

A BOW FOR SEAN McGUIRE

John Hewitt Bar, Donegall Street, Belfast

December 7^th 2000

7.00pm-9.00pm

ALL WELCOME ADMISSION FREE

Síle de Valera, T.D., Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, and Michael McGimpsey, M.L.A., Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland, tonight attended the 24th annual North-South Dinner and Meeting of the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The dinner took place at the Coach House, Dublin Castle.

Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure

(Reproduced from ArtsLink October 2000)

It is with a sense of pride and anticipation that I pen these words for ArtsLink as the first Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the new Executive. The creation of this new Department, known as DCAL, has, for the first time, given a new and welcome focus to culture, arts and leisure and their potential to make a real difference to the quality of life of everyone in our community.

The range of events listed each month in ArtsLink demonstrates that Northern Ireland has a thriving cultural life, with a diverse programme of performances, exhibitions, tours, festivals and workshops which is the envy of many regions larger or more populous then ours. We have some way to go before we harness the full potential of our creativity; but that is why I believe I have the best job in the Executive.

£4 million for a major arts centre in Tyrone

£2 million for arts centre in Ballymena

By Liz Trainor

(Reproduced from the Irish News)

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today announced the appointment of

Roisin McDonough

as its Chief Executive for the incoming five years, succeeding Brian Ferran who retires in October.

Members Determine that art should

"punch above its weight"

At the first meeting of the newly appointed Arts Council, on Thursday 16 March, it was resolved to translate the enthusiasm and vigour of the new 15-strong membership into a determination to seeopenness in decision making and transparency of process carried into all the Council’s affairs. In keeping with this spirit, the first decision taken by the new Council was to investigate the practicalities of opening all its meetings to the public.

The Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure has announced the membership of the new Arts Council. They take up their positions from MARCH 1st.