Corporate Information

Under the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015, the NCH became the statutory body charged with establishing both the national venue for music performance, and the institution responsible for promoting and supporting music as an integral part of Irish life. This legislation obliges the NCH to provide and operate the national venue for musical performance and appreciation, and to deliver activities, including the promotion of concerts and recitals “having regard to international standards and good practice”.

National Concert Hall Board of Directors

The National Concert Hall Board consists of a Chairperson and 9 ordinary members appointed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport & Media. Each Board member is appointed for a specific term. The current Chairperson of the Board is Maura McGrath.

Members of the Board are:

Maura McGrath - Chairperson. NCH Board member since 2014. Extensive experience in Human Resource Management and Corporate Governance

Don Thornhill - Former Secretary General of the Department of Education. Extensive experience on a wide range of boards and selection committees

James Cavanagh - Orchestra conductor and trumpet player with extensive experience as a music educationalist. Previously Head of Performing Groups, RIAM and in demand nationally as an adviser and music consultant

Rebecca Gageby - NCH Board Member since 2014. Over twenty years of experience in corporate governance, project management, public relations and in working strategically with multiple stakeholders in the public and private sector. Previously, she worked in the Royal Irish Academy and has a particular interest in equality, diversity and inclusion as drivers of innovation

Hilary Hough - Certified accountant and chartered director with a wide range of corporate finance, accounting and general management experience. Held a number of senior positions in Bank of Ireland including Corporate Lending Manager, Head of the SME Division, Head of Group Public Affairs and Managing Director of Bank of Ireland Finance. Hilary teaches on the Trinity College MBA programme

Michelle O’Sullivan - Over 21 years HR experience working at senior leadership level in a multi-national investment bank. As qualified and accredited coach & mentor she holds the Practitioner Diploma in Coaching with Neuroscience. Experienced in leading multi-cultural teams delivering global HR strategy & ensuring fit for purpose across multiple countries. Excellent stakeholder & relationship management experience partnering with senior executives & passionate about ensuring alignment of HR & business strategies to deliver on business objectives.

Peter McKenna - Stadium Director of Croke Park and Commercial Director of the GAA. His business expertise covers strategic planning, sales and marketing, innovative new business development, and financial planning. He has extensive experience in developing sponsorship relationships and fundraising. He is a recognised leader in sustainability practice in venue management. His experience also extends to the delivery of major projects

Niamh Murray - Principal of Kilmacanogue National School on secondment as Director of Blackrock Education Centre. Her career in Education has facilitated a very positive connectivity with young people and enabled her to help develop their life skills and abilities, most especially in Music. She is regarded as one of Ireland’s finest sopranos. She was a regular and popular performer at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, for many years and indeed throughout her long and varied singing career, Niamh appeared in the National Concert Hall on more than a hundred occasions

Professor Cliona Doris - Senior Lecturer in Music, TU Dublin Conservatoire, Technological University Dublin. She has broad experience with several national music organisations and internationally with the World Harp Congress. Her orchestral experience includes her former role as Head of Orchestral Studies at TU Dublin Conservatoire, and working as a harpist with orchestras (including the NSO) in a freelance capacity. 

Secretary to the Board of the National Concert Hall is Margaret Larkin

National Concert Hall Team

The day-to-day management of the Hall is the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Robert Read who is accountable to the Board of Directors for all aspects of the Hall’s operations. He is supported by his Senior Management Team, as follows:

Catherine Abbott Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy (Maternity cover for Helen Carroll)

Joe Csibi Head of Orchestra & Chorus

Nigel Flegg Head of Learning and Participation

Margaret Larkin Acting Chief Operating Officer

Shane Nugent Head of Human Resources

Gary Sheehan Head of Programme Planning

Barry Walsh Head of Operations

Rosita Wolfe Head of Marketing and Communications

Barry Walsh is the Access Officer for the National Concert Hall and can be contacted here

National Concert Hall Patron

The National Concert Hall is privileged to have Mr Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, as its honouree patron. 

A passionate political voice, a poet and writer, academic and statesman, human rights advocate, promoter of inclusive citizenship and champion of creativity within Irish society, Michael D. Higgins has previously served at almost every level of public life in Ireland, including as Ireland’s first Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

President Higgins and his wife, Sabina are regular attendees at concerts and events here at the National Concert Hall.