Governance

Governance Code:

The Board confirm we are fully compliant with all the requirements of the Companies Act 2014 as well as those of The Charities Regulatory Authority.

The board of directors and executive continue to adopt best governance practice as set out in the voluntary Governance Code. We adhere to the principles of clarity, good governance, Value for Money and Fairness detailed in Appendix 2 of DPER Circular 13/2014. The board is aware of the Charities Regulator new Governance Code and have actively worked ensuring that the Carlow Arts Festival is compliant and governed in accordance with this code.

As Directors, we affirm that Carlow Arts Festival endeavours to deliver value for money in the use of its funding and in a manner that maximises effectiveness and outcomes in the use of public funds. In addition, it is the intention of the board of directors and the executive to always co-operate with the Arts Council in the achievement of value of public money.

The festival has a rigorous financial procedure detailed below. Accounts are audited annually.

A reserves policy is in place which will allow CAF to plan effectively, to ensure that all commitments can be met and to allow the continued development of the festival.

A strategic planning process in 2019 developed a clear roadmap for the period 2020 – 2023.

It is a priority of the board that the agreed strategic objectives of the organisation underpin the artistic direction of CAF and ensure continuity of this vision in succession planning for the Executive.

Board Members

Niamh Lunny – Chairperson

Niamh joined the board in August 2019. She previously served on the Board of the Abbey Theatre for 4 years and was a member of the Gender Equality sub-committee. She worked as the head of costume in the Abbey for 11 years, where she started a successful hire business. Outside of this she has worked extensively as a freelance designer. She was the recipient of the Clore Leadership Scholarship in 2018/19 and is now working as a producer on the Púca Festival.

Roisin Lawlor – Company Secretary

Roisín joined the Board in 2021. She is a Carlow native and has always supported the arts in the local community. She works in the area of company law and corporate governance, specialising in new companies.

Edward Cahill

Ed Cahill is a local publican, with a passion for culture and the arts. Ed holds a Masters in Development Practice from TCD & UCD. He previously sat on the board of UCD Volunteers Overseas and currently sits on the Waterford Cultural Quarter Steering Committee in addition to the CAF board.

Chris Chapman

Chris joined the board in July of 2014, his main focus being strategic development. His background is in community development and has worked in the fields of Social Care, Education, and Sustainability.

Cian Kinsella

Cian is a contemporary circus performer using skills such as acrobatics and clowning to create experiences to entertain, provoke & amuse audiences. His work explores environmental advocacy, ecology of culture, queer identity, and play as a creative strategy.

Dan McInerney

Dan joined the board in late 2020. Originally from Ashbourne in Co. Meath, Dan moved his family to Carlow in 1985 to commence work as an Engineer with Carlow County Council. After a long career at various levels of Local Government he retired from his post as Director of Services with Carlow County Council at the end of 2019. As well as the experience and skills that Dan brings to the Board from his Local Government career, he has been a dedicated supporter of the arts in Carlow going right back to the early days of the Éigse Festival. He has a great love of all types of music, is an ardent supporter of the Carlow music scene, and has recorded a large number of songs on the local, ‘lock-down’ inspired, ‘BACKLINE’ Facebook page.

Suzanne Morrissey Forde

Suzanne joined the board of CAF in  July 2017. Suzanne’s background is in finance and she also has some knowledge of HR. She has been employed as a Financial Accountant for over 20 years, and employed by charitable organisations for the last 9 years.

Fintan Phelan

Fintan joined the board in September 2019; he is Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council and served as Mayor of Carlow from 2016/17. He has a first class honours degree in Economics Politics and Law from Dublin City University.

Megan Berry

Megan Berry joined the board in 2021. Megan studied social care with Carlow College, St Patrick’s and has gone on to become an advocate in helping to increase Traveller numbers in education. After recently completing her Masters in Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University, Megan has taken on the role of Traveller Outreach Officer with Maynooth.