Vacancy – Board Director – Finance
The Board of Directors of the Wexford Arts Centre is currently recruiting for a new Board Director with financial expertise. This is a voluntary role and an opportunity for contributing to advising on the sustainability of Wexford Arts Centre’s ongoing delivery of its vibrant arts programme for all in the Wexford community.
Wexford Arts Centre is a registered charitable arts organisation delivering a vibrant arts programme in County Wexford including visual arts exhibitions and performance arts events and workshops for all ages with emphasis on contemporary arts practice and participation. Wexford Arts Centre is Ireland’s oldest regional arts centre in operation since 1974. The art centre is situated in Cornmarket Wexford but also manages Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, Creative Places Enniscorthy, Westgate studios, Wexford and manages a Living Arts education programme in schools, Emergence artist award, Creative Youth Lab and off-site exhibitions and events including support for festivals across the county. The art centre is part supported by grant funding including Arts Council Ireland, Wexford County Council and Pobal.
The Director will Chair the Finance Committee. The role of the Finance Committee is to oversee the effective financial and risk management of Wexford Arts Centre CLG, including the raising, collection and outlay of all monies required to fund its activities, and to report and make recommendations to the Board thereon. The Finance Committee works closely with the Board, CEO, Company Secretary and Fundraising Committee. The Director as Chair of Finance Committee, presents quarterly finances to the board and works with the bookkeeper and CEO to prepare and present annual budgets to the board and present progress against these budgets and provide assurance to the board that the robust financial control environment remains in place. Desired preference for a director with accountancy qualifications.
The Director will be required to attend approximately four board meetings during the year usually held Monday evenings at 6pm Wexford Arts Centre or by Zoom and be required to chair approximately four Finance meetings held in the evening usually by zoom and report to board on these meetings. Board governance pack and opportunity for board director training will be provided. Invitations to openings and complimentary tickets to events where possible are on offer to board directors.
Further information on Wexford Arts Centre on what we do and on Board and governance including annual report and audited accounts may be accessed on https://www.wexfordartscentre.ie/what-we-do/ and https://www.wexfordartscentre.ie/board-and-governance/.
Expressions of interest for the role highlighting relevant experience for the role along with a CV should be emailed to admin@wexfordartscentre.ie and note in subject of email: Attention: Chair of Wexford Arts Centre – Board Director Finance.
We encourage and welcome applications from people of all genders, nationalities, races, cultural backgrounds, ages, religions, languages, abilities, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses.
Deadline for receipt of applications of interest: Friday 21st November, 2025
We confirm that our organisation complies with The Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland. We also commit to comply with the principles of good fundraising!
Links to Constitution for Wexford Arts Centre CLG and most recent Audited accounts and Annual report below.
wac_constitution_2016.pdf
Download File
Audited Accounts and Annual Report 2024
Financial Statement for year ended 31 December 2024
Wexford Arts Centre Strategic Plan 2022-2026
Board Members
Brendan Howlin (Chair)
Brendan is a former politician who has over 42 years of experience in the Oireachtas. He served as Leader of the Labour Party from 2016 to 2020, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform from 2011 to 2016, Leas-Ceann Comhairle from 2007 to 2011, deputy leader of the Labour Party from 1997 to 2002, Minster for the Environment from 1994 to 1997 and Minister for Health from 1993 to 1994. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wexford constituency from 1987 to 2024. He also served as a Senator from 1983 to 1987, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.
Brendan grew up in Wexford town and was educated locally in the Faythe and at Wexford CBS. He later attended St Patrick’s College in Dublin and qualified as a primary school teacher. During his career as a teacher, he was active in the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation before embarking on a career in full-time politics. Brendan served on both Wexford Borough Council and Wexford County Council and as Mayor of Wexford in 1986/87.
Board Member since 2025.
Ann Hensman, Chair Governance Committee
Ann returned home to Wexford having enjoyed an international banking career in the UK and South Africa for twenty years. She brings with her solid experience from her progressively senior roles across the disciplines of governance, risk, and client relationship management, coupled with extensive multicultural and multi-market exposure.
Ann holds an M.B.A. from University of Surrey and a B.A. (Mod.) Economics and Business Studies from Trinity College Dublin. She is currently undertaking further studies.
She is a keen supporter of the performing arts and attributes her love of them to fond childhood memories taking part in local variety shows with her musical family.
Ann lives near Clonroche, with her daughter Roisin and crazy dog, Angus.
Board member since June 2017
Helen McLean
Originally from Holywood, County Down Helen’s art studio has been based in Wexford town for the last twenty years. Completing her degree in Fine Art and postgraduate studies in community arts at Lancaster University, Helen went on to study the art of mosaic and stained glass in Ravenna and Siena. In 1990 she moved to Glasgow working as a Visual arts officer in the west end arts centre before establishing her art studio McLean Fine Arts in the city.
Over the last 30 years Helen has created large-scale, site-specific artworks for Public and private clients. Commissioned in paint, glass and mosaic her artworks have been sited throughout the USA, UK and Ireland.
As a strong advocate for the community arts her teaching and workshop sessions run all year from her studio. Working with adults and young people Helen also runs art programmes in conjunction with WWETB, and local community groups.
Artworks completed in Wexford Town and County
- Rape crisis centre memorial mosaic, Ferrybank, Wexford (2022)
- Community Mosaic artworks Kilmore Quay mosaics Quay wall Wexford (2020-2023)
- Stations of the cross Our Lady’s Island, Wexford (2019 -2022)
- Wexford Whale Chanie mosaic on Wexford quay 2022
- Historical mosaics – The Bullring /County council building façade (2021)
- Alzheimer’s Carers mosaic artwork St. Brigid’s Centre external entrance wall
- School projects have included CBS Secondary Enniscorthy, Ramsgrange Vocational College, Kennedy Park, Scoil Mhuire, Mercy School, Curracloe National School, Barntown National School (2012-2017) Gorey National School,
- Ferns Town community mosaic wall (2017-2019)
- Enniscorthy Hospital mosaic installations.
- New Ross Hospital mosaics
Board Member since 2023
Michael D’Arcy
A proud Wexfordian, Mick is the lead singer of award winning Wexford based folk rock group ‘Corner Boy’.
Touring internationally across the UK & Ireland, Asia, North America and Europe, Corner Boy have played many of Ireland’s largest music festivals/venues. In November 2018 they released the ‘Goodbye Old Holy’ EP to critical acclaim, recorded in Grouse Lodge Studios by Grammy award winning producer Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphy’s, Old Crow Medicine Show). Mick is a former staff member of Wexford County Council’s Arts Department having worked on large scale arts & cultural projects including Three Sisters 2020.
Mick joined the board in March 2020.
Carol Long
Carol is a member of Wexford Drama Group for over ten years and a past Chairperson. She has directing plays for the group during the Opera festival. Her writing is primarily for theatre and she likes to help promote theatre writing as much as possible. She is co-founder of Wexford Playwright Studio in association with Wexford Art Centre and Wexford County Council. She was a committee member of Wexford Literary Festival, looking after the Short Play competition and the Meet the Publisher section. She is actively involved writing for a radio play podcast based in England.
Board Member since 2023
Eileen Morrissey
Eileen Morrissey has worked in the local government sector for almost thirty years and has gained a wide range of experience in strategic development for cultural services, arts, and libraries. Eileen was appointed Wexford County Librarian in 2016 and is the current President of the Library Association of Ireland, the professional body representing libraries and librarianship in Ireland.
Eileen holds qualifications in Journalism (DIT), Library and Information Studies (UCD) and Public Policy (DCU, 2023). As the Creative Ireland Programme Coordinator for County Wexford, Eileen works closely with members of Wexford County Council’s Culture Team, creative practitioners, cultural organisations, and local communities to encourage participation in cultural activities by all members of our community. Eileen enjoys creative writing, theatre, travel and the outdoor life in beautiful County Wexford.
Board Member since June 2023
Other Sub Committee Members
We also have great programme support from our sub committee participants which include:
Performing Arts Committee: Chaired by Michael D’Arcy, Jackie Hayden, Kevin Lawlor, Carol Long, Geraldine Cullen, Gerard Young, Heather Hadrill, Álanna Hammell and Andre Tschan
Visual Arts Committee: Chaired by Helen McLean, Mary-Ruth Walsh and Richard Carr.
