Liam Hannaway has been appointed as Chair of the Board of the Arts Council NI. It's one of several appointments announced today by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.

Mr Hannaway is a former Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and has a long history of interest and involvement in the Arts in a voluntary capacity, especially within amateur drama as part of Lislea Drama Festival in his native Lislea.
Other appointments include William Leathem as Vice-Chair of the Board and Board members Paul Boyle, Mr Paul Brolly, Mr Joe Dougan, Laura McCorry and Dr GearĂ³id Trimble.
The appointments are effective from 1 February 2021 until 31 January 2025. Mr Hannaway previously served as an Arts Council NI Board Member from 1 July 2020 to 31 January 2021.
The Arts Council has a key role to play in developing and improving the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, and increasing public access to and participation in the arts. It is also responsible for the distribution of Lottery grants. Its statutory functions are set out in The Arts Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.