Alan Esslemont and Feidhlim Seoighe have been appointed to the Board of An Taibhdhearc.

Alan Esslemont is the former Director General of TG4 and former Chair of the Celtic Media Festival. Under his leadership, TG4 developed the highly successful Irish-language film brand Cine4, which led to An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl being nominated for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in March 2023. TG4 has also made major progress as a provider of non-linear digital content and social media, with a particular focus on younger audiences.

Alan also helped establish and successfully launch BBC ALBA, the Scottish Gaelic television channel, and was a founding board member and treasurer of the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) from 1997-2000. Oireachtas na Gaeilge presented Alan with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, and RTS Ireland awarded him a Fellowship Award in 2025. Alan’s first novel, The Princess of Connemara – A Novel, was published in April 2026.

“I would especially like to acknowledge the outstanding work carried out by Siobhán Nic Fhlannchadha as Chair of the Board of An Taibhdhearc. The Board, Executive Team and Artistic Community of An Taibhdhearc have achieved vitally important work, supported by the Government’s backing of the vision and strategy they have developed. It is a tremendous privilege to have this opportunity at this point in time to help support the continued development of An Taibhdhearc - as a platform and inspiration for the Irish-language creative community and as the National Theatre for Irish-speaking audiences across the country.”

- Alan Esslemont, newly appointed Chair of the Board of An Taibhdhearc

Feidhlim Seoighe is originally from Rinn Mhór in Galway city but lives in Dublin. He studied Law at the University of Galway and is also a graduate of Fiontar at Dublin City University. He qualified as a solicitor and works in aviation law at a legal firm. He previously served as Irish Language Officer with the Students’ Union at the University of Galway and with the Union of Students in Ireland. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of Conradh na Gaeilge and previously served as a director of Seachtain na Gaeilge and Oireachtas na Gaeilge.

Feidhlim Seoighe began his term as Secretary on 25 May 2026. Alan Esslemont will assume the role of Chair on 13 July 2026, on the opening night of SAOIRSE, a new musical produced by An Taibhdhearc for the Galway International Arts Festival.

Set in the Kerry Gaeltacht, SAOIRSE is a humorous and heartfelt musical celebrating first love and first heartbreak. Full of energy and hormones, SAOIRSE brings plenty of humour and courage to the stage, featuring a large ensemble of ten multi-talented actor-musicians performing live.

An Taibhdhearc is Ireland’s national Irish-language theatre. They create, present and support the performing arts, rooted in a historic building in the centre of Galway city. They do this with and for Irish-speaking audiences, artists and communities throughout Ireland and around the world.

The vision of An Taibhdhearc is that Irish-language theatre will achieve world-class standards, inspiring everyone to participate in Irish-language performing arts. An Taibhdhearc aims to be both a sanctuary and a destination for performing artists and the wider Irish-language theatre community. These appointments and SAOIRSE form part of the Síolta 2025–2027 strategy, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Dr Siobhán Nic Fhlannchadha, Chair, will step down from the Board after completing her second term.

“I wish Alan and Feidhlim every success as they join the Board. Serving on the Board of An Taibhdhearc, first as Secretary and later as Chair, has been one of the great honours of my life. I had the opportunity to work alongside wonderful colleagues and I am proud of all we achieved together. As An Taibhdhearc approaches its Centenary in 2028, I look forward to seeing what lies ahead.”

- Dr Siobhán Nic Fhlannchadha

Siobhán Nic Fhlannchadha, An tUachtarán Catherine Connolly agus Niamh Ní Chonchubhair. Credit: Emilija Jefremova

These appointments were made with the support of Boardmatch.

Two Appointments to the Board of An Taibhdhearc

Heartwarming new musical as Gaeilge, SAOIRSE, to premiere at Galway International Arts Festival