Dublin's Abbey in search of new director to lead Ireland's national theatre
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Dublin's Abbey in search of new director to lead Ireland's national theatre

IRELAND'S national theatre, the Abbey in Dublin, is looking for a new director.

The Abbey board are looking for someone to succeed Fiach Mac Conghail whose successful 12 year tenure as director ends in December 2016.

Dr. Bryan McMahon, chairman of the Abbey Theatre said, “As Fiach Mac Conghail hands over the baton of leadership of our national theatre at the end of 2016, we are seeking an enterprising and visionary new director to lead the Abbey Theatre through its next stage of development in Ireland and beyond.

“We invite Irish and international candidates with a proven track record of leadership, creativity and innovation to apply for, what is the most influential and exciting job in Irish theatre.”

For 110 years Ireland’s foremost writers have presented their work at the Dublin theatre, including Seán O’Casey, Bernard Shaw, J.M. Synge and WB Yeats to Marina Carr, Brian Friel, Thomas Kilroy, Frank McGuinness and Tom Murphy.

Many Abbey productions appear throughout the world, from London to Sydney.

Currently, Death of a Comedian by North of Ireland playwright Owen McCafferty, an Abbey Theatre commission, is showing at the Soho Theatre, London.

In interpreting some of the great iconic roles of Irish theatre, a host of extraordinary international stars such as Gabriel Byrne, Sinéad Cusack, Ciarán Hinds, Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea and Fiona Shaw have treaded the boards at the Abbey, and many actors such as Wilfrid Brambell (Old Man Steptoe) began their careers at the theatre.