Loughlin Deegan, executive producer of Rough Magic Theatre Company, has been appointed director of the Dublin Theatre Festival.
He starts as artistic director and chief executive of the festival in January, but will immediately begin to work with the board to prepare for the 50th Dublin Theatre Festival in 2007.
Mr Deegan takes over from Don Shipley, who is to return home to Canada after two years in Dublin to be co-artistic director of the Stratford Festival.
Mr Deegan has worked with Rough Magic for nine years, initially as literary manager and since 2003 as executive producer.