Ministers Martin and Byrne announce new Chair of Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, have today announced that Siobhán Ní Ghadhra has been appointed as Chair of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Siobhán Ní Ghadhra will serve as Chair of the board until the end of this year.

Ms. Ní Ghadhra is an award-winning television producer who has won two Emmy awards and has experience in television, animation and live broadcasting. She began her professional career in the studio of filmmaker Roger Corman in Conamara, and she was appointed as Chief Operations Officer with Telegael in 2012. In 2015, she founded Danú Media.

She was a member of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland between 2010 and 2015, and has also been a member of the Blue Teapot Theatre Company and the University of Galway’s External Strategy Board. She is currently a member of the board of TG4 and the Creative Europe Desk in Galway.

Siobhán Ní Ghadhra has vast experience in business and television and in promoting these industries in the Gaeltacht.

Minister Martin said:

Minister of State Byrne said:

Under Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, Údarás na Gaeltachta has a board of twelve. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media appoints seven members, including the Chair.

The other five members are nominated by local authorities containing Gaeltacht areas to the Minister for appointment.

Arising from the decision of Government on 13 December 2022, the current board will serve a term up to the end of 2024 in order to allow for amendments to the legislation under which the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta is appointed.

Under the current arrangements, in the case of members named by local authorities containing the smallest Gaeltacht areas: Meath, Waterford and Cork County Councils, these members serve rotating two-year terms in the following order: Meath, Cork, Waterford; under Section 16 2a(vi) of the Act. The effective term of the nominee of Waterford County Council began on 1 March 2023.

Biography: Siobhán Ní Ghadhra

Siobhán Ní Ghadhra has won two EMMY awards and has many other credits for animation and drama productions throughout her career.

After school, she obtained a BA in Irish and Economics from the University College Galway, together with an Advanced Diploma in Applied Communication. She graduated with an LL.B degree in 2007.

She started her working life at the Roger Corman film studios in Galway in 1998. She was subsequently appointed as Head of Production at Telegael and later as Chief Operating Officer before leaving to set up Danú Media in 2015. She is currently an Executive Producer on Ros na Rún, one of the longest running television drama series broadcast in Ireland. Other recent credits include her as an Executive Producer on Fir Bolg for TG4. She was also the Executive Producer on the feature film "Sanctuary", which won the award for best Irish Feature Film at the Galway Film Festival in 2018. She was the Producer of the popular teen drama series "Saol Ella" which was broadcast on TG4 in 2023 and she is a Producer on the Cine4 feature film "Báite" which was filming in Galway in 2024.

She is a current member of the TG4 Board, Ardán and Creative Europe Desk in Galway. In the past, Siobhan was on the board of the Blue Teapot Theatre Company and the External Strategy Board for NUIG. Siobhán was a Board member of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland from 2010 - 2015. She was awarded the University of Galway Alumni award in 2016. She was born and raised in Na Forbacha in Cois Fharraige. She lives in Indreabhán with her husband and four children.