by Rose Rushe
THE resignation of former chief executive of City of Culture, Patricia Ryan, was met with responses from her board, the Government and the diverse mix of arts community in Limerick, the majority of whom had sought this at the public meeting in Clarion Hotel last Friday 3.
Limerick Post’s publication of her resignation statement, which was mysteriously leaked in advance, had received 10,000 hits within the hour.
Thanking Ms Ryan “for the considerable efforts that she has put in”, Minister for Arts, Gaeltacht and Heritage Jimmy Deenihan looks “to move forward in a calm and measured way”.
Promising the appointment of a new artistic director, he stated on Sunday 5: “The people of Limerick expect and deserve a varied programme of events to take place this year. That programme is designed. Over 100 events are scheduled to take place in the first quarter. Significant funding is in place.“Greater local artistic involvement in the Limerick City of Culture Board will be ensured, and a new director will be appointed”.
It had been put to Minister Deenihan on RTE Radio One’s ‘This Week’ programme that the nub of the problem was money, that funding had not followed through yet in the roll out of the €6million allocated: “..that is it not cheaper for the artistic director to resign than it is to sack a CEO mid-contract?”
Patricia Ryan’s resignation came shortly later.
The Minister, who has stayed away from the politics of the board and administrative conflict to date, is to meet with board, Limerick Local Authorities and with members of the arts community early this week.
The under-seige board to City of Culture made clear in its statement that is putting in place “arrangements to ensure the continued implementation of the extremely exciting” programme. It promised to announce a range of new measures on the coming days.
Speaking through PR officer Eugene Hogan, the unsigned statement expressed regret to by notified of Patricia Ryan’s resignation: ”We wish to thank Patricia Ryan for her contribution to the Limerick City of Culture project. During her tenure as CEO, she has worked tirelessly, with great diligence, professionalism and dedication in extremely challenging circumstances.
“We wish Patricia every success in the future and look forward to her continued support for the project”.
Chairperson Pat Cox rejected calls for his resignation subsequent to her appointment, which proved unworkable. Describing the former CE’s and the board’s meeting with the arts community in the Clarion Hotel as “humbling and cathartic”, he underlined his commitment to the project since he as first asked by CIty Hall in early 2013. “I am not a quitter,” he told press and yesterday, confirmed that there will be no more resignations in the wake of the political controversy.
Online and informal comment from arts individuals and groupings express overwhelming relief in her departure and the promise of a new appointment that will be advertised.
