Governance

Earagail Arts Festival​

Governance

Earagail Arts Festival is a registered charity (CHY 16078) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG 383383) governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, the Earagail Arts Festival Management Company. Please see list of Directors & Directors’ biographies below. Earagail Arts Festival is committed to good governance and has embarked upon the journey of compliance with the Governance Code. The organisation complies with all regulatory requirements and operates in accordance with its governing document, available here. 

Earagail Arts Festival keeps detailed books and records of accounts and maintains strict financial controls. The organisation is transparent in its audited financial statements, with most recent statements (2022) available here. The Statement of Recommended Practice for charities and not-for profit entities as developed in the UK in 2005 (SORP) is currently accepted as best practice in Ireland. We are working with our auditor towards compliance with SORP in 2018 financial statements and beyond.

Earagail Arts Festival is open, honest and fully transparent in its fundraising activities, the proceeds of which all go towards the primary activity of organising and promoting an annual multi-disciplinary arts festival. Earagail Arts Festival is currently working to confirm compliance with the Statement of Guiding Principles of Good Fundraising developed by Irish Charities Tax Research Ltd (ICTR).

Our Policies

Child & Vulnerable Person Protection & Welfare

Earagail Arts Festival is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. In accordance with the Children’s First Act 2105, the festival will uphold and adhere to principles outlined.

Complaints Policy

Earagail Arts Festival is committed to ensuring that all our communications and dealings with our members, the general public, our supporters and all who engage with us are of the highest possible standard. We listen and respond to the views so that we can continue to improve. 

Dignity at Work Policy

Earagail Arts Festival recognises the right of all employees to be treated with dignity and respect and is committed to ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe working environment which is free from all forms of bullying, sexual harassment and harassment.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy

Earagail Arts Festival, in everything it does, strives to respect, support and ensure the inclusion of all voices and cultures that make up Ireland today, from all sections of society, from existing and new communities, and from all social backgrounds, ethnicities and traditions.

Board of Directors

Méabh Conaghan Chairperson
– appointed 2004

Méabh Conaghan is currently a Senior Executive with Enterprise Ireland where she supports and advises food and beverage start-up businesses. She has an Arts Degree from University College Galway in Irish and Geography and a Masters in Marketing from University of Ulster. Méabh was raised in Gort a’Choirce in the Donegal Gaeltacht and has a love of the Irish language and culture. She has been a member of the Earagail Arts Festival Board since 2003 and was Festival Chairperson from 2006-2008.

Tá Méabh Uí Chonnacháin ag obair faoi láthair ag Fiontar Eireann ag tacaíocht le comhlachtaí úra I dtionscnamh bia agus deoch. Tá céim dáin aicí ó Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus máistreacht ó Ollscoil Uladh sa mhargaíocht. Tógadh i nGort a’Choirce í agus tá an-ghrá aicí ar an teanga agus ar chultúr na tíre. Tá sí ina suí ar Bhord Féile An Earagail ó bhí 2003 ann agus bhí sí mar chathaoirleach ar an Bhord ar feadh trí bliana idir 2006 agus 2008.

Traolach Ó Fionnáin appointed 2004

Traolach Ó Fionnáin is the Local Authority Arts Officer for Donegal County Council, where he is charged with responsibility for the delivery of the arts development programme of Donegal County Council’s Arts Service. As part of that remit, he initiated the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival in 2001 and continues to programme it. Since 2007, he has worked as part of the EDGES International Cultural Partnership, actively developing and expanding cultural links between Donegal, East Iceland and Northern Norway. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAF Management Company Ltd. from 2008 to 2012.

Patricia McBride appointed 2004

Patricia McBride is Director of An Grianán Theatre. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Performing Arts from De Montford University, Leicester and a Masters in Cultural Management from University of Ulster. Her career in arts management and theatre production spans over twenty five years. In the UK she worked in various roles in organisations such as The Royal Academy of Arts, the Haymarket Theatre, and Proteus Theatre Company. Returning to Ireland she was Manager of Charabanc Theatre Company and General Manager of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. She also serves on the board of the Lyric Theatre, Belfast and Highland Radio, Letterkenny. She is currently Chair of the Nomad Venue Network.

Fintan Moloney appointed 2004

Fintan Moloney Graduated from University College Dublin, November 1974, BA (HONS) Economics. Joined Revenue Commissioners in December, 1974 as trainee Inspector of Taxes. Appointed District Inspector of Taxes for County Donegal in 1984 until October, 1989. Commenced 2.s Taxation and Financial Consultant October, 1989 and celebrated 25 years in private practise in 2014. Certified as an Authorised Advisor regulated by the Financial Regulator in 2003. Member of Institute of Taxation, Irish Brokers Association and Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce. Chair of Governing Body of Letterkenny Institute of Technology, member of the Board of Directors of Earagail Arts Festival Management Company Ltd

Judith McCarthy appointed 2023

Judith McCarthy has been the Curator of Donegal County Museum since 1994. Donegal County Museum is part of the Cultural Services Division of Donegal County Council. The Museum works to raise awareness and increase understanding of the heritage and history which has shaped our communities and in doing so has developed successful partnerships with other museums, community groups and organisations throughout the island of Ireland.  Judith graduated with a BA (Hons) in Ancient History/Archaeology and History from Trinity College and subsequently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration in UCD. She was previously a member of the Board of the National Museum of Ireland (2016-2021).

Gary Doherty appointed 2014

Gary Doherty was co-opted onto Donegal County Council in November 2013 and was subsequently elected to serve as a Member for the Stranorlar Municipal District in May 2014. Gary was elected as the first ever Cathaoirleach of the Stranorlar Municipal District in June 2014. He sits on the Donegal Education and Training Board and the National Reserve Members Forum of the ETBI. He is also a member of the Board of the Irish Central and Border Area Network, ICBAN. Gary has a keen interest in the arts in County Donegal, and is the bass player with local band, Our Native State.

Martin McDermott appointed 2019

Martin Mc Dermott was elected to Donegal County Council in May 2014, re-elected in May 2019 and was subsequently elected to serve as a Member for the Inishowen Municipal District.  Martin was elected as Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District in June 2019. He is also Chairman of Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC) CLG which oversees the Leader funding in the county. Martin would have a very close community element to his work and is very community-based.

Póilín Nic Géidigh – appointed 2022

Is craoltóir í Póilín Nic Géidigh le RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta i nDoirí Beaga. Cháiligh sí mar dhearthóir grafaice in Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath agus tá céim máistreachta aici sna meáin ó Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Bhí sí mar láithreoir ar an chlár Timpeall Orainn ar Cúla4, agus chuaigh sí i mbun gnó ag dearadh cártaí agus priontaí i nGaeilge lena comhlacht Mara Duit ag deireadh na bliana 2020. Faoi láthair, is léiritheoir í ar an chlár irise Bladhaire ar RnaG.

 

Fadl Mustapha – appointed 2022

Fadl Mustapha is currently a Youth Worker with the Donegal Youth Service where he facilitates workshops about bringing positive mental health awareness and building resilience for young people, teachers, key workers and parents. Before that Fadl was the Intercultural/Resettlement Support Worker on the Donegal Refugee Resettlement Programme for Syrian Refugees and had worked closely with a number of state and non-state agencies to implement the programme. Fadl is also an actor and theatre facilitator and has contributed with organising and hosting a number of cultural events in Donegal. Fadl is a Palestinian who has been living in Donegal since 2006. Fadl is passionate about community-based work, particularly in regards to integration, inclusion, participation and contribution of new communities through all forms of art. Fadl serves on the board of The Playhouse, Derry/Londonderry since 2018 and is a member of the Donegal Intercultural Platform.

 

Pauric McGarvey – appointed 2023

Pauric McGarvey, a Rathmullan native, was co-opted onto the Donegal County Council February 2023, taking over from his Uncle Ian McGarvey who was Irelands oldest public representative and served in the Donegal County Council for 18years. Pauric is looking forward to his role and hopes to excel and continue Ian’s great work to represent the people of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District going forward. Pauric has great interest in the local towns, villages & rural areas and Donegal is very close to his heart. Pauric inherited Ian’s committees and is a member of the Islands committee, Donegal health committee, Value for money committee, Agriculture committee, Community, Social & Culture SPC, Working group on constitutional change and also a director at the EAF committee.