Musician, arranger and composer Dónal Lunny has been announced as one of three Artists-in-Residence at the new Creative Futures Academy.

The Creative Futures Academy, which will be launched in 2022, is a new partnership between University College Dublin, the National College of Arts and Design and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, offering students training for the creative and cultural sectors.

Lunny will be based in the School of Irish, Folklore and Celtic Studies. He will provide workshops to students and advise on module and programme development.

Commenting on the news, Lunny said:

The last time I was in Belfield was many years ago, performing in the legendary Theatre L. I feel honoured to have been asked to be Artist-In-Residence in UCD this autumn and I’m very much looking forward to visiting the campus again.

Also appointed are Jennifer Jennings, theatre-maker and director of THISISPOPBABY who will work with students in drama and the performing arts across the College of Arts and Humanities, and actor and writer Mark O’Halloran who will be based in the School of English Drama and Film and will contribute to UCD’s new MA in Writing for Stage and Screen.

UCD Associate Professor PJ Mathews, Director of the Creative Futures Academy, commented:

I am delighted to welcome Dónal, Jenny and Mark to the team. It is a privilege to collaborate with such distinguished Artists-in-Residence as we work to re-energise the creative sector in rising to the challenges of the post-pandemic period. All three are highly-regarded and internationally-recognised practitioners, who are relentless innovators within their own disciplines, and who embody the spirit of artist-led creativity.

For more, visit www.ucd.ie.