Cork Midsummer Festival transforms the city into an extraordinary stage. Our vision is to ignite bold ideas and build bridges that connect art and audiences, artists and communities, Cork and the world.
Established in 1997, Cork Midsummer Festival is one of Ireland’s leading multidisciplinary arts festivals.
‘Urban Cork is a place the Midsummer Festival makes its own’
The Irish Times
‘Cork Midsummer Festival proved to be 2024’s Outstanding Arts Festival for serving up some decidedly brilliant treats’
The Arts Review
‘Definitely book in advance for one of the excellent site-specific productions, a once-in-a-lifetime experience’
The Lonely Planet
Director Lorraine Maye / lorraine@corkmidsummer.com
Producer Rose-Anne Kidney / roseanne@corkmidsummer.com
Communications & Dev. Manager Conall Ó Riain / conall@corkmidsummer.com
Head of Participation & Engagement Susan Holland / susan@corkmidsummer.com
Production Manager Aidan Wallace
Digital Marketing Emer Casey
Health & Safety Joe Stockdale
Graphic Design Gareth Jones
Website Path
Auditors KSi Faulkner Orr
Solicitors TJ Hegarty & Sons
/ Ruairi O'Connor – Chair (General Manager, The River Lee Hotel)
Appointed February 2017
Ruairi O Connor is the General Manager of the River Lee Hotel in Cork city, a Doyle Collection hotel. The Doyle Collection is an Irish, family-owned international luxury hotel group that comprises eight hotels in five vibrant cities around the world. These design-led properties provide luxury havens for modern day travellers, as well as stylish bars and restaurants for local consumers. Ruairi has 20 years’ experience working in hotels across Ireland and France, having spent time in Ashford Castle, Hayfield Manor, Radisson hotels prior to joining the Doyle collection in 2008. Supporting The Arts, Culture and Design is embedded into The Doyle Collection family history. Through his work in various hotels Ruairi has been involved with many arts and tourism projects both nationally and in the Cork Region.
/ Nick Canham (Talent Agent)
Appointed February 2020
Nick has been a talent agent for over 20 years, working with some of the biggest names in broadcasting, comedy and sport. His first role, as Head of Live Promotions for Avalon in London, saw him responsible for over 2500 live comedy shows per year, including runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Aspen Comedy Festival and major West End productions. He has worked extensively with broadcasters across Europe and was an Editorial Director at Harper Collins publishers. He relocated to Cork in 2018 with his wife and young family and, whilst he continues to work for Vivienne Clore Management in London, he is growing his client list across a range of presenters and sports personalities in Ireland.
/ Fiona Kearney (Director, The Glucksman)
Appointed August 2020
Fiona Kearney is a curator, academic and writer. She is the founding Director of the Glucksman, an award-winning museum contemporary art museum on the campus of University College Cork. In this position, she has curated numerous exhibitions of Irish and international art including Enter Stage Left: the craft of theatre in art; Gut Instinct: Art, food and feeling; 2116: Forecast of the next century, Boolean Expressions: Contemporary art and mathematical data and Folly: Art after Architecture. Kearney has received several distinguished awards including the designation of college scholar by UCC, the NUI Prix d'Honneur from the French Government, a UCC President’s Award for Research on Innovative Forms of Teaching and the Jerome Hynes Fellowship on the Clore Leadership Programme. From 2009-2014, she served as a member of the Arts Council of Ireland and she is currently a board member of the Irish Architecture Foundation and VISUAL Carlow.
/ Patricia Reilly (Head of Animal Welfare, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Marine)
Appointed December 2020
Trish Reilly is a veterinarian, leading the Animal Welfare Division at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Recently returned from Brussels, Trish was Deputy Head of Cabinet to the European Commissioner responsible for the Creative Europe and Erasmus+ programmes 2014-2019. Prior to this, she was a member of Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s Cabinet, where she was responsible for research and innovation policy for health and the bioeconomy, and led the integration of gender equality across Horizon 2020, Europe’s €80 billion research and innovation programme. Trish is a member of the Board of the Tyndall National Institute, and chairs the Governance Committee of SFI research centre, BiOrbic. With eclectic interests and an open mind, Trish is deeply committed to supporting excellence in the Arts.
/ Michael Gleeson
Appointed March 2020
/ Jonathan Healy
Appointed August 2022
After graduating with a degree in law from University College Cork, Jonathan Healy worked in radio, television and online media for two decades. He has been a presenter with Newstalk 106-108fm and a senior correspondent with Sky News, with his work featuring prominently on both stations. Jonathan also has experience working with TV3, RTE, FM104, The Cork Independent and Cork’s RedFM. Having conducted thousands of interviews with people from all walks of Irish life, he is a skilled interviewer and proven cross-platform content creator with extensive contacts across politics, business and public relations throughout the country. Jonathan is also a proven event facilitator and engaging MC. He has also delivered high impact voice-over work for corporate videos and campaigns.
Cork Midsummer Festival is the registered trading name of A Sense of Cork Mid-Summer Arts Festival Limited.
The organisation keeps detailed financial records, maintains strict financial controls and is transparent in its audited financial statements. You can find the most recent statement of audited accounts (2023) here. These statements are compliant with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities and not-for-profit entities, which is currently accepted as best practice in Ireland.
The organisation complies with all regulatory requirements and operates in accordance with its memorandum of association. We are committed to good governance and compliance with The Principles of Good Fundraising.
A Sense of Cork Mid-Summer Arts Festival Limited is a registered charity - CHY 19295 / RCN 20075514 - and is compliant with the Charities Regulator Governance Code. A Sense of Cork Mid-Summer Arts Festival Limited is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, full details as above. The latest Charities Regulator - Annual Report is available here.
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/ Jean O'Donnell
Jean is a Senior Technology Capability & Change Leader with extensive expertise in Employee Experience & Talent Development. She specialises in designing, developing, and implementing innovative people development, employee engagement, and change strategies globally. She is passionate about fostering positive organizational cultures, driving behavior change, and enhancing employee wellbeing.
Jean has significant experience in digital transformation and organizational change, enabling data-driven decision-making processes within organizations. Her strengths lie in identifying opportunities for growth, driving positive change, and fostering a collaborative environments.
She is passionate about the arts and creating inclusive opportunities for creativity. She is also Chair of Women in Technology & Science Ireland.
To find out more about previous editions of Cork Midsummer Festival, browse our festival brochures
