Patrick Lonergan (appointed 2017, elected chairperson 2022)
Patrick Lonergan is Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at NUI Galway. He has published many books on Irish theatre, including the award-winning Theatre and Globalization: Irish Drama in the Celtic Tiger Era and The Theatre and Films of Martin McDonagh. His most recent books are Theatre & Social Media (November 2015, Palgrave) and Irish Theatre Since 1950 (February 2019, Bloomsbury Methuen Drama). For Methuen Drama, he is co-editor of a series of critical companions about international theatre, including recent books on Sarah Ruhl, Harold Pinter and Brian Friel, as well as on such topics as prison theatre, the American stage musical and the intersection of disability and performance.
He has lectured on Irish theatre in many international locations, including in Japan, Russia, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Brazil, the United States and Canada. His blog about Irish theatre, Scenes from the Bigger Picture, currently has more than 3,000 subscribers, and he regularly writes about Irish theatre for many publications.
Bernadette O Mahony (appointed 2025)
Bernadette has extensive experience in financial services, specialising in client relationship management. She currently manages relationships with over 150 high-net-worth clients, advising them on investment opportunities across a range of asset classes.
She has particular expertise in investor relations, fundraising, and cross-border client engagement, with a proven track record of delivering strong outcomes for both clients and business partners.
Passionate about culture and community, Bernadette brings her financial and strategic expertise to Galway International Arts Festival at board level. She is also experienced in governance and is committed to supporting the festival’s continued growth and international reach.
Originally from Cork, Bernadette holds a BA from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and has built her career in Ireland’s investment management industry.
Mary McGinley (appointed 2019)
Mary has over 20 years’ experience advising Irish and international groups on financial and tax matters. She currently leads the tax group in KPMG’s Galway office. Mary principally advises clients in the life sciences, technology, manufacturing, engineering and pharmaceuticals sectors. She has particular experience in assisting international companies investing in Ireland and Irish groups expanding overseas, funding transactions and advising on successful business acquisitions and disposals.
Mary has a keen interest in education and lectured in Revenue Law in the National University of Ireland, Galway for a number of years. She is currently a member of the Governing Body of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
Originally from Co. Sligo, Mary is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute and holds an B. Comm degree from National University of Ireland, Galway.
Vivian Chambers (appointed 2022)
Viv has over 20 years experience as a qualitative researcher and strategic planner in various research and advertising agencies. This has entailed developing strategies for marquee companies ranging from Three Mobile to Heineken and Coca Cola.
Viv founded Bricolage in 2014 as a leading strategic and cultural understanding agency.
In that time Bricolage have worked on a wide array of projects with a cultural and social remit including work for RTE, The Arts Council and Udaras na Gaeltachta. More recently the agency have completed several studies on the rising influence of Generation Z on culture.
Paul Farrell (appointed 2022)
Paul has over 30 years’ experience as a senior leader across a range of companies and different industry sectors. Paul is the CEO of Hibernia College Group the leading provider of blended professional education programmes in Education and Health Sciences. Prior to joining Hibernia, Paul was the Managing Director of Virgin Media Television. Paul’s career has seen him working in senior roles predominately in Telecoms, Financial Services and Media sectors across the US, Europe and in Ireland. He has worked with some of the most significant and highest profile brands through his career including O2, The Irish Times, Davy, and Virgin Media.
Paul is a strong advocate for the needs of children and young adults with Autism. He has served on a number of boards of management and charities over the years to help further the awareness and development of appropriate interventions and supports in this area.Paul holds an MBA and was made a fellow of the Marketing Institute in 2007.
Caroline Miney (appointed 2023)
Caroline has over 30 years’ experience working in Financial Services, having worked with Ulster Bank in a variety of roles in Corporate and Retail Banking. Latterly, as Regional Director, Caroline led the SME and Corporate Team of Midlands and West Region
Since leaving Ulster Bank in 2020, Caroline has developed her own business as an experienced Independent Interview Chair and panellist across the Finance, Public Sector, Healthcare and Not for Profit Industries. Caroline is a volunteer Board Director of Claddagh Credit Union and supports a number of charities in the West. She is also a Mentor, Coach and Interview Trainer supporting people to challenge themselves and excel in their chosen field.
Caroline is a member of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland, with Professional Banker status. Originally from Cavan, she is a passionate supporter of the artistic and social life of her adopted City of Galway, which she has called home for the past 20 years.