National Concert Hall announces Nigel Flegg as new Chief Executive

The National Concert Hall has announced that Nigel Flegg, who is currently Head of Learning and Participation at the National Concert Hall, will succeed Robert Read as Chief Executive of the NCH from 1 February 2026. Mr Flegg has over 20 years’ senior experience across the music, education, and public sectors.

Maura McGrath, Chair of the National Concert Hall said: “Nigel brings a combination of creative vision, proven leadership and deep commitment to community engagement. His track record at the National Concert Hall, where he developed innovative programmes connecting music, education and wellbeing, demonstrates his ability to broaden our reach and impact while strengthening artistic excellence.”

Paying tribute to Robert Read, Ms. McGrath said: “Robert has served with distinction, leading Ireland’s home for music through one of the most significant periods of renewal in its history.  Under his leadership, the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, and NCH Choirs successfully transferred from RTÉ, audiences were restored to record levels, and major new philanthropic and government commitments were secured.  Robert’s vision and determination have positioned the National Concert Hall as a financially resilient, artistically ambitious, and socially inclusive institution, laying the foundations for the landmark redevelopment.” 

Welcoming the appointment, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, stated:  “I wish to congratulate Nigel Flegg and wish him the very best in his new role.  I know that Nigel will continue to build on the solid foundations laid by his predecessor to develop the National Concert Hall as a world-class centre for music.  Noting Nigel’s strong background in education and outreach, I look forward to seeing the further enhancement of programmes that increase access to our cultural offering for audiences across the country”.

Robert Read, outgoing CEO, National Concert Hall said: “It has been an honour to lead the NCH through a time of historic renewal – setting a new vision and values, strengthening the Orchestra and Choirs, growing and diversifying audiences, and advancing the redevelopment that will transform Ireland’s musical future.  None of this would have been possible without our incredible team, artists and audiences, to whom I am deeply grateful.  I am delighted to hand over to Nigel and wish him every success as he takes on the role of CEO in the new year”.

Speaking about the important role of the National Concert Hall in our cultural landscape, Nigel Flegg said: “I am honoured to take up the role of Chief Executive of the National Concert Hall at such a pivotal time as we progress landmark developments that will transform the campus for future generations. I am very grateful to Robert for the wonderful work he has done and I wish him the very best for the future. I am excited to work with our dedicated team, our artists and our audiences to ensure that the National Concert Hall continues to resonate as the beating heart of Ireland’s musical life.”

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

About Nigel Flegg

Nigel has over 20 years’ senior experience across the music, education, and public sectors. Since 2014, he has been a key member of the Senior Leadership Team at the NCH, where, as Head of Learning & Participation, he has shaped strategy, growth, and the organisation’s vision for inclusivity and artistic excellence. 

Before joining the NCH, Nigel was Director of Newpark Music Centre in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, where he developed Ireland’s first non-classical undergraduate music degree, the BA in Jazz Performance. Earlier in his career, Nigel was as a percussionist and drummer, working with leading Irish jazz musicians, Latin-American projects, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and touring internationally with Dead Can Dance. Nigel holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management, and a BA in Spanish and Classics from Trinity College Dublin, and additional qualifications in jazz performance and business studies.

Fógraíonn an Halla Ceolchoirme Náisiúnta Nigel Flegg mar Phríomhfheidhmeannach nua

Tá sé fógartha ag an gCeoláras Náisiúnta go nglacfaidh Nigel Flegg, atá ina Cheann Foghlama agus Rannpháirtíochta faoi láthair san Halla Ceolchoirme Náisiúnta, áit a bhfuil 
breis is 20 bliain de thaithí shinsearach aige sna hearnálacha ceoil, oideachais agus poiblí. 

Dúirt Maura McGrath, Cathaoirleach an Cheolárais Náisiúnta: “Tugann Nigel meascán d’fhís chruthaitheach, ceannaireacht chruthaithe agus tiomantas domhain do rannpháirtíocht phobail. Léiríonn a thaithí sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta, áit ar fhorbair sé cláir nuálacha a cheangail ceol, oideachas agus folláine, a chumas ár raon feidhme agus ár dtionchar a leathnú agus sármhaitheas ealaíonta a neartú ag an am céanna.”

Agus ómós á thabhairt aici do Robert Read, dúirt an bhean uasal McGrath: “Tá Robert tar éis seirbhís den scoth a thabhairt, ag treorú bhaile ceoil na hÉireann trí cheann de na tréimhsí athnuachana is suntasaí ina stair.  Faoina cheannaireacht, aistríodh Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann, agus Cóir NCH ó RTÉ go rathúil, athbhunaíodh lucht féachana go leibhéil taifead, agus daingníodh gealltanais mhóra nua daonchairdiúla agus rialtais.  A bhuíochas le fís agus le diongbháilteacht Robert, tá an Halla Ceolchoirme Náisiúnta ina institiúid atá athléimneach ó thaobh airgeadais de, uaillmhianach ó thaobh na healaíne de, agus atá cuimsitheach go sóisialta, agus leagann sé bunchloch don athfhorbairt shuntasach seo.” 

Agus fáilte á cur aige roimh an gceapachán, dúirt an tAire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt, Pádraig Ó Donnabháin:  “Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Nigel Flegg agus gach rath a ghuí air ina ról nua.  Tá a fhios agam go leanfaidh Nigel ag cur leis an mbunchloch dhaingean a leag a réamhtheachtaí chun an Ceoláras Náisiúnta  a fhorbairt mar ionad ceoil den scoth.  Agus cúlra láidir Nigel san oideachas agus sa réimse for-rochtana á thabhairt faoi deara agam, táim ag tnúth le feabhas breise a fheiceáil ar chláir a mhéadaíonn rochtain ar ár dtairiscint chultúrtha do lucht féachana ar fud na tíre”.

Dúirt Robert Read, Príomhfheidhmeannach atá ag imeacht as oifig, an Cheolárais Náisiúnta: “Ba mhór an onóir dom an Ceoláras Náisiúnta a threorú trí thréimhse athnuachana stairiúla – fís agus luachanna nua a leagan síos, an Cheolfhoireann agus na Cóir a neartú, lucht féachana a fhás agus a éagsúlú, agus an athfhorbairt a chur chun cinn a chlaochlóidh todhchaí ceoil na hÉireann.  Ní bheadh aon cheann de seo indéanta gan ár bhfoireann, ár n-ealaíontóirí agus ár lucht féachana dochreidte, agus táim thar a bheith buíoch díobh.  Tá áthas orm an ról a thabhairt do Nigel agus guím gach rath air agus é ag glacadh leis an ról mar POF sa bhliain nua.”

Ag labhairt dó faoin ról tábhachtach atá ag an gCeoláras Náisiúnta inár dtírdhreach cultúrtha, dúirt Nigel Flegg: “Is mór an onóir dom glacadh le ról Phríomhfheidhmeannach an Cheolárais Náisiúnta ag am chomh ríthábhachtach agus muid ag dul chun cinn le forbairtí suntasacha a athróidh an campas do na glúnta atá le teacht. Táim an-bhuíoch de Robert as an obair iontach atá déanta aige agus guím gach rath air don todhchaí. Táim ar bís oibriú lenár bhfoireann dhíograiseach, lenár n-ealaíontóirí agus lenár lucht féachana chun a chinntiú go leanfaidh an Ceoláras Náisiúnta de bheith ina chroílár i saol ceoil na hÉireann.”

CRÍOCH

Nótaí don Eagarthóir
Maidir le Nigel Flegg
Tá breis agus 20 bliain de thaithí shinsearach ag Nigel sna hearnálacha ceoil, oideachais agus poiblí. Ó 2014 i leith, tá sé ina bhall lárnach den Fhoireann Cheannaireachta Shinsearach ag an NCH, áit a bhfuil sé, mar Cheann Foghlama & Rannpháirtíochta, tar éis straitéis, fás agus fís na heagraíochta maidir le cuimsitheacht agus sármhaitheas ealaíonta a mhúnlú. 

Sula ndeachaigh sé isteach san NCH, bhí Nigel ina Stiúrthóir ar Ionad Ceoil na Páirce Nua i gCarraig Dhubh, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath, áit ar d’fhorbair sé an chéad chéim fochéime ceoil neamhchlasaiceach in Éirinn, an BA i dTaibhiú Snagcheoil. Níos luaithe ina ghairm bheatha, bhí Nigel ina chnagadóir agus ina dhrumadóir, ag obair le ceoltóirí snagcheoil Éireannacha móra, tionscadail Mheiriceá Laidinigh, Ceolfhoireann Cheolchoirme RTÉ, agus ag camchuairt go hidirnáisiúnta le Dead Can Dance. Tá Céim Mháistreachta i gCeannaireacht agus Bainistíocht Oideachais ag Nigel, agus BA sa Spáinnis agus sna Clasaicí ó Choláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath, agus cáilíochtaí breise i dtaibhiú snagcheoil agus i staidéir ghnó.