The National Concert Hall 2014 Annual Report

Key Highlights:

The National Concert Hall (NCH) made a direct economic contribution of over €38 million to the local economy for the year ended 31st December 2014

Key programming developments include the augmenting of the International Concert Series and new initiatives in chamber music and family programming, to see the hosting of close to 900 events during the year

Third highest attendance figures achieved of almost 330,000 people

Turnover of €6.8 million achieved a break-even financial position, with Government subvention of less than one third of income and the balance sourced from commercial and fundraising activities

Capital funding allocation of €6 million secured for the restoration of the Kevin Barry Room and other spaces, as a project for the 2016 commemorations, in addition to other infrastructural improvements planned for 2017  

Proposed legislation to establish the NCH on a statutory basis, will secure its position as a cultural asset and maximise the further development of the Hall into a world class centre of musical excellence
 

The National Concert Hall (NCH), one of Ireland’s leading cultural institutions and a national centre of excellence in musical performance and education, has today published its 2014 Annual Report. The total economic impact that the NCH has on the local economy for 2014 was €38.7m¹.  During this period, the NCH had turnover of over €6.8 million, box office ticket sales of just over €7m, and hosted close to 900 events securing the third highest attendance figures to date, with almost 330,000 people coming through their doors.  

Commenting on the publication of the 2014 Annual Report, Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, said: “The results for 2014 illustrate the important contribution the National Concert Hall makes to the social, economic and cultural fabric of Dublin and it is very encouraging to see attendance numbers on the rise. The NCH will play a very important role in next year’s 2016 Commemorations. The Hall will host a series of seven concerts over Easter Week next year and, of course, the newly restored Kevin Barry rooms, where the treaty debates took place, will be opened in 2016."

“I intend to publish legislation in the coming weeks which will place the NCH on a statutory footing; something I believe will be a very positive development for the future of the Hall in the years to come. I would like to commend the NCH for the strong set of results for 2014, and I wish everyone involved in the Concert Hall the very best for the rest of 2015.”

Gerry Kearney, Chairman, National Concert Hall, said : “In 2014, within the framework of our mission, the NCH hosted close to 900 events.  Numbers in attendance of almost 330,000 were the highest in recent years and the third highest ever for the NCH. The proposed establishment of the NCH on a statutory basis, and the investment of €6m to refurbish key historic areas of the Earlsfort Terrace site as part of a 2016 commemoration project are two Government initiatives which are welcomed by the Board and will be important to the future of the NCH”.

Simon Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, National Concert Hall, said: “We are dedicated to improving public access and engagement with music and culture, and our future success in attracting new audiences must go hand in hand with effective fundraising.  It is essential for the Hall that we balance our artistic and public service remit with sound commercial and business judgement.  2014 was an important year in realising our strategy for the wider redevelopment of the Earlsfort Terrace site as the dedicated centre of musical performance ensuring the long-term future of the Hall and site itself”.  

Investment by Government in repurposing and redeveloping the Kevin Barry Rooms and other spaces is an important step in realising the National Concert Hall’s full potential and will leverage a new era of investment and development at the Hall.  This project is currently undergoing final planning with construction due to commence late summer 2015.
The proposed legislation to establish the NCH on a statutory basis will come into effect later this year.

View a Digital Version of the Report Here

ENDS
For further information, please contact:   
Robert Marshall, Wilson Hartnell
Tel: +353 1 669 0030
Mob: +353 87 647 8542
Email: robert.marshall@ogilvy.com

Rosita Wolfe, National Concert Hall
Tel: +353 1 417 0077
Mob: + 353 87 915 3049
Email: rosita.wolfe@nch.ie

Notes to Editors
¹ This figure is based on the economic contribution derived from spending on tickets, artists, travel, food and the supply of goods and services, wages and other ancillary activities.

About The National Concert Hall

Ireland’s National Concert Hall is regarded by performing artists as one of the finest concert halls in Europe. At the heart of Dublin’s city centre it boasts a thrilling programme of the world’s greatest performers and Ireland’s finest musicians. With weekly performances by resident orchestra, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestras as well as a range of performances  and activities covering classical, opera, traditional, jazz, musicals, popular music and education and community outreach, the National Concert Hall is a thriving venue catering for all musical tastes. Upcoming highlights include Maxim Vengerov with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, The Ulster Orchestra with cellist Alisa Weilerstein, Berlin based composer and pianist Nils Frahm, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmy-Lou Harris, Bryn Terfel with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, singer songwriter Keaton Henson, amongst others