Northern Ireland

Former Sinn Féin special adviser joins Arts Council board

Irish News columnist and former Sinn Féin special adviser Jarlath Kearney has been appointed to the board of the Arts Council.
Irish News columnist and former Sinn Féin special adviser Jarlath Kearney has been appointed to the board of the Arts Council. Irish News columnist and former Sinn Féin special adviser Jarlath Kearney has been appointed to the board of the Arts Council.

A former special adviser to culture minister Carál Ní Chuilín has been appointed by her to the board of the Arts Council.

Irish News columnist Jarlath Kearney took up the four-year appointment at the start of December.

Mr Kearney has previously served as a special adviser to the minister, replacing former IRA prisoner Mary McArdle, and has been active within Sinn Féin in recent years.

A former journalist, he was previously a board director of the Community Relations Council and the minister said he "brings experience in strategic planning, and skills in equality and social inclusion".

From a well-known republican family, his brother Declan is currently Sinn Féin’s chairman.

Mr Kearney is one of three new members to be appointed to the board and will be joined by Cian Smyth, who has experience in the arts and film sectors, and west Belfast community worker Roisin Mohan.

Five existing members of the board were reappointed by the minister including Anna Carragher, a former controller of BBC Northern Ireland.

Ms Ni Chuilín said: “I am pleased to make these appointments given the wealth of skills and experience that each appointee brings.

“Although this is a challenging time for the Arts Council NI Board, I am confident that each member will be of great assistance to the board as it progresses and leads in the development of the arts, particularly with disadvantaged and isolated communities and individuals.”

The minister also offered her thanks to outgoing board members including vice-chair Damien Coyle.