Hannah Kiely Steps Down as Chief Executive of Galway 2020

The Chief Executive of Galway 2020 is stepping down.

Hannah Kiely is parting company with Galway 2020 after extensive criticism locally about the manner in which preparations for the European Capital of Culture are progressing.

The development comes just over three months after the project lost its creative director, Chris Baldwin.

Galway 2020 chairwoman Aideen McGinley announced on Monday that Ms Kiely was stepping down, and two new appointments have been made.

Galway City Council senior executive Mark O’Donnell has been appointed Chief Operations Officer, and event manager Pearse Doherty, a former member of the Saw Doctors, had been appointed Head of Production.

Aideen McGinley thanked Ms Kiely for her “significant contribution, energy, passion and dedication” to the project.

In a statement, Galway 2020 said it will allocate €12.7 million in funding to 27 projects across the city and county.