There was laughter and tears in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Wednesday 16 as Laois locals bid farewell to Director Michelle de Forge.

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Ms de Forge has held the mantle of Director at the arts centre for over 13 years, and has decided to step down this month.

"I will enjoy a long break, before I go on to do freelance work across Laois and Offaly," the Birr woman explained to the Leinster Express / Laois Live at the Portlaoise farewell party.

"It has been a pleasure, it has quite often been an uphill battle securing funding. It's all a sales pitch, at whatever stage of the programming and presentation of arts it is," she said.

"You are trying to sell to the idea to funders, the audience, the artists comes in with the ideas and to bring them to the audience, and it is all possible thanks to the fantastic staff team here who have positive attitudes, and try to collaborate as widely as possible.

"I'm so grateful for that, and it is the part I will truly miss. I hope to be freelancing and working in the arts for the future, after a suitable break," Ms de Forge joked.

"I'll certainly be back in Laois and across the midlands with various projects, so you won't see the back of me. I'm really grateful for my colleagues time, energy and positivity over the years, and I'll miss them all a lot," she finished.

Fianna Fáil Cllr and Dunamaise Arts Centre Board Member Padraig Fleming wished Ms de Forge all the best in her future. 

"We have a board meeting next week and we will be talking to you more then, there may be more surprises in store," Cllr Fleming teased to the room.

"I wasn't supposed to say that but I want everyone to know, that there are more surprises for us. It's an honour to be here, alongside and former board members and current members, who are great people that have kept the Dunamaise going," he said.

"The amount of joy and happiness I have seen from Michelle and her staff over the years, it has given the Dunamaise a great reputation, and we are all very proud of you for all of the work you have done," Cllr Fleming praised.

"We wish you all the best in the future. As I said a few minutes ago, there might be another case where I say a few more words in the future," he finished.

A recruitment process is currently underway in Laois to hire a CEO to run the Dunamaise Arts Centre and outdoor entertainment venue in Portlaoise's Old Fort Quarter. 

This role is separate from the Dunamaise's current management role; the new CEO role will have a broader remit for the Portlaoise venues.

"The CEO will lead the operations of the Laois Arts Theatre Company, incorporating the Dunamaise Arts Centre and the Fort Protector Outdoor Performance and Event Space, oversee artistic, strategic, and operational activities, and ensure that both centres remain vibrant, dynamic, and financially sustainable," the job description read.

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