The Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris has announced the artists awarded residencies as part of its 2024–2025 programme. The programme will support 44 artists across a range of disciplines, providing them with the opportunity to spend a minimum of one month in Paris to develop their work.

Eleven musicians and composers have been awarded residencies. They include Brían Mac Gloinn – folk musician and member of Ye Vagabonds; singer-songwriter Farah Elle; rapper Kevin Smith, who performs as Kojaque; and Ruth Clinton – folk singer and member of bands Landless and Poor Creature. There are also a number of residencies supported in partnership with music organisations, including the Contemporary Music Centre whose residencies were awarded to composers Áine Mallon and Timothy Cape; Galway County Council who will be supporting a residency for multi-instrumentalist and composer Matthew Berrill; the Irish Traditional Music Archive, whose residency was awarded to pianist and composer Ryan Molloy, who has also just been announced as the recipient of the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Composer award; Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which has awarded a residency to producer Sal Stapleton; the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland whose residency was awarded to film score composer Stephen Rennicks; and Music Network who will be supporting a residency for mezzo soprano Sharon Carty.

For further details on all awardees, visit www.centreculturelirlandais.com.

Evelyn O’Rourke

Evelyn O’Rourke has been appointed as RTÉ Arts and Media Correspondent. She takes over the role previously held by Sinéad Crowley.

A broadcast journalist with over two decades of experience, O’Rourke has contributed to programmes in both English and Irish for RTÉ and TG4 and has reported for Radio 1’s Today programme presented by Claire Byrne. O’Rourke has co-presented the Irish Books Awards for many years on RTÉ One television and has also presented and reported for the RTÉ Radio 1’s arts programme Arena. 

‘I am delighted to be appointed as the RTÉ Arts and Media correspondent at a time when Irish acting and writing talent is storming across the world stage,’ said O’Rourke on her appointment. ‘I am really looking forward to exploring the wide range of arts and cultural stories in Ireland as well as examining and reporting on the ever-changing media landscape here and bringing those stories to our audiences on digital, radio and television’.

To contact Evelyn O’Rourke, email evelyn.orourke [at] rte.ie.

Katie Stillman

Opera North has announced the appointment of Katie Stillman as the new Leader of the orchestra of Opera North, commencing in August 2024.

With a background as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader, Stillman currently holds the position of first violinist with the Villiers Quartet. Over the past season, she has led performances with ensembles such as the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Manchester Camerata, and Northern Chamber Orchestra, and has previously served as a guest leader for Opera North in several productions. She also is dedicated to music education, having contributed to the Bach to Baby series and taught at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music.

‘Over the past few years, I have been excited by the energy, imagination and musicianship of the amazing players, singers and conductors in this company,’ said Stillman on her appointment. ‘I was given my first orchestral work with Opera North when I was a student in Manchester, so it feels wonderful to now be involved in its future’.

Visit www.operanorth.co.uk.

Ray O’Donohue

Ray O’Donoghue, the director of Sea Sessions music festival in Donegal, has been appointed as Dublin’s Night-Time Economy Advisor. This position was created by Dublin City Council with the objective of enhancing the city’s night-time cultural and creative life over the next two years.

The appoinment follows a recommendations by the Night-time Economy Taskforce – established by Minister for the Arts Catherine Martin – in its 2021 report calling for the appointment of advisors to explore new economic opportunities and evening activities across Irish towns and cities. A number of Night-Time Economy Advisors have already been appointed across the country, including Kate Howard in Galway, Fiona Collins in Cork, Ashlene Reyburn in Limerick, Conor Sweeney in Kilkenny and Mark Davies in Drogheda. 

Oisín McAuley

Fiddle player and educator Oisín McAuley has been appointed to the role of Associate Dean of Pre-College & Professional Programs at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, having worked at the college since 2011 in the roles of Associate Director of Scholarships and Senior Director of Summer Programs. McAuley began his new role in February 2024.

Gilbert O’Sullivan and Cllr Joe Conway, Mayor of Waterford City and County

Singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan has been awarded the honour of Freeman of Waterford City and County. O’Sullivan, who was born in Waterford, became a successful songwriter in the 1970s with songs such as ‘Alone Again’, ‘Clair’ and ‘Nothing Rhymed’.

Last month, composers Shaun Davey, Andrew Hamilton and Ed Bennett were elected to Aosdána, and TG4 has announced the recipients of this year’s Gradam Ceoil awards, including accordion player Derek Hickey, singer Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, and dancer and choreographer Jean Butler.

For March appointments, see here.

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