Dr Michael Ryan, archaeologist and scholar, has been appointed Director of the Chester Beatty Library, a post which he has been filling on a temporary basis, on secondment from the National Museum. He will now be able to oversee the move, later this year, of this under-appreciated library of oriental manuscripts and artefacts from Ballsbridge to its proposed new home at the more central location of Dublin Castle . . . The West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen is running a children's festival from January 10th-24th - events will include a dance workshop, a storytelling and poetry workshop and a puppet workshop and show - phone for information . . . Friday January 30th is the closing date for applications for the Ulster Bank Music Foundation award of £15,000; phone Tara Gilleece on 01-2830088 for further information and application forms . . . Full-length plays can be submitted until February 28th for the Esso New Irish Play Award, which carries a prize fund of £500 - plays should be sent to Colm Kelly, Griffith Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath . . . the Irish painter, Felim Egan, has won first prize at the International Festival of Painting at Cagnes-sur-mer, France - the theme of the year's festival was "the legacy and spirit of Renoir" . . .