Cultural Entrepreneur
Dónal is a cultural & creative entrepreneur with diverse experience in the worlds of performing arts, music & audio production, non-profit management, and education.
He is co-founder and inaugural Managing Director of the Irish Institute of Music and Song, an innovative non-profit organisation committed to making an impact on communities and audiences on a global scale.
His leadership role consisted of project management across the full team, delivering on long-term strategy in a fast-paced creative environment, designing and executing initiatives to enhance the impact of the company, according to its mission of Celebrating Diversity, Promoting Inclusion and Building Community Through Music. Since founding the Academy in August 2016, the Irish Institute of Music and Song has grown into an active educational organisation with a weekly reach of 1500+ students and a dedicated team of 25+ professional musicians. The campus is based in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and encompasses the La La café & restaurant, Bedford accommodation, and will soon include a brand-new 400-seat Concert Hall.
Between 2015 and 2016, Dónal was Production Coordinator for global touring ensemble, ANÚNA. This role involved social media management, assisting and coordinating production of performances, rehearsals and recording sessions, as well as managing artists, venues and technicians on international tours to Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan.
In 2020, Dónal completed the Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership at the Innovation Academy at University College Dublin (UCD), developing leadership and management skills, as well as knowledge of design thinking and problem-solving.
Dónal holds a Law degree from Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge and a Master’s degree (Distinction) in International Human Rights from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at National University of Ireland Galway. In 2014, he worked as Research Assistant to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders at the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). He previously gained a varied portfolio of practical experience with several human rights organisations in England, Northern Ireland and Dublin.
Between 2015 and 2016, Dónal was Production Coordinator for global touring ensemble, ANÚNA. This role involved social media management, assisting and coordinating production of performances, rehearsals and recording sessions, as well as managing artists, venues and technicians on international tours to Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan.
In 2020, Dónal completed the Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership at the Innovation Academy at University College Dublin (UCD), developing leadership and management skills, as well as knowledge of design thinking and problem-solving.
Dónal holds a Law degree from Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge and a Master’s degree (Distinction) in International Human Rights from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at National University of Ireland Galway. In 2014, he worked as Research Assistant to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders at the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). He previously gained a varied portfolio of practical experience with several human rights organisations in England, Northern Ireland and Dublin.
