Announcing New Festival Director

Dublin Fringe Festival is delighted to announce the appointment of David Francis Moore as its new Festival Director.

David Francis Moore is a Programmer and Producer with nearly two decades of experience working within the arts sector. He will join Dublin Fringe Festival following a successful tenure as Programme Director and Executive Producer at Carlow Arts Festival. He is currently Chairperson of Theatre Forum Ireland and a Trustee of Theatre Royal, Waterford. 

At Carlow Arts Festival David co-led on the development of the organisations most recent strategy and was instrumental in supporting the development of the festivals year-round programme to include a new artist support programme and a county wide community engagement, learning and participation programme, enabling the festival to broaden its reach and impact, diversify its audiences, increase funding and uniquely position itself with the wider arts ecology.

Prior to this David was Theatre Programme Manager at VISUAL Carlow. In his position as Programme Manager, David commissioned, co-commissioned and presented work by some of Irelands leading artists and companies. He was instrumental in developing the organisations artist support and development programme, supporting the development of artists and companies such as United Fall, Cian Kinsella, FELISPEAKS, Equinox Theatre Company and Bombinate Theatre.

The Dublin Fringe Festival Board said, "Following a competitive recruitment process with a strong slate of candidates applying from Ireland and overseas, we are thrilled to have appointed a visionary, dynamic and fearless leader for the Dublin Fringe Festival team in David Francis Moore. His passion for the festival, and all that the organisation has achieved so far, is married with an ambitious vision for where to take it next.  After an incredible four years with Ruth McGowan at the helm, we’re excited to see how David shapes an organisation that is a vital force within the Irish and international cultural landscapes. We're looking forward to seeing how artists, audiences and the Dublin Fringe community can continue to disrupt and reimagine our city under his leadership."

Taking over the reins from Ruth McGowan who joins the Abbey Theatre as Literary and New Work Director, Ruth shared her excitement at the appointment of Moore to Dublin Fringe saying; “Dublin Fringe Festival is an organisation that thrives on the new, so I’m excited to watch a bold new chapter begin under David’s ambitious leadership. Together with an ever-inspiring community of Irish artists, and working alongside a dedicated and mega-watt talented staff and board, with the news of David’s appointment today, the future of Dublin Fringe is bright.”

Commenting on his new role as Festival Director of Dubin Fringe, Moore said, “I am deeply honoured and excited to be appointed as the next Festival Director of Dublin Fringe Festival. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible success and achievements of Ruth McGowan, the outgoing director, and her unwavering commitment to the festival. It is an honour to follow in her footsteps and continue to build on the incredible legacy she has left behind.

Growing up in Dublin, Dublin Fringe Festival played an instrumental role in shaping me as a young artist. It provided a vital platform for experimentation and risk-taking and gave me the opportunity to connect with a vibrant and supportive artistic community. I am committed to continuing that tradition by supporting and nurturing the next generation of Irish artists, whilst ensuring that the festival remains an inclusive and welcoming space for all artists and audiences.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside the incredibly talented team at Dublin Fringe Festival and to continue to push boundaries and challenge conventions of what art can be with the best of Irish and international talent"

David Francis Moore, from Dublin, will take on the new role from May 2023.