(From top: Limerick City of Culture’s artistic director Karl Wallace, commissioning and legacy programmer Maeve McGrath and international programmer Jo Mangan. All resigned yesterday, on the first day of the year-long event.)

The Irish Independent reports:

“Speaking exclusively to the Irish Independent, [Wallace] has complained of staffing requests being rejected, of his team being “sidelined” in decision-making and of being left out of the preparations for the New Year’s Eve event which kicked off the festival.”

“He also claimed that there has been a breakdown in communication between his team and City of Culture chief executive Patricia Ryan.””Her appointment was criticised by former Mayor of Limerick John Gilligan when he raised questions about the contract not being advertised and no interviews being held.”

“Ms Ryan previously worked for Limerick City of Culture board chairman Pat Cox when he was a member of the European Parliament.“

So, who else is on the board of the Limerick City of Culture?

Pat Cox, Former MEP and Chairman of the Board
Paul O’Connell, Munster Rugby, Ireland and British and Irish Lions Captain
Bill Whelan, Composer, Producer and Arranger
Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion
Conn Murray, Manager / CEO Limerick City and County Council
Tim O’Connor, Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Gathering Ireland 2013 and former Secretary General to the President of Ireland
Brian McEnery, Partner on the Corporate Finance & Recovery Team of BDO Ireland
Dave O’Hora, Account Director with Southern Marketing Media and Design
Niall O’Donnchu, Assistant Secretary with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Neil Pakey, CEO at Shannon Airport Authority

Rightio.

Chaos for ‘City of Culture’ festival as three quit (Irish Independent)

Limerick city of culture

Pics: Limerick City of Culture, mic.ul.ie