The chief executive of the Wexford Festival Opera , Jerome Hynes, has died, aged 45.
Mr Hynes, brother of theatre director Garry Hynes, was also the deputy chairman of the Arts Council. He died last night after he took ill while making an announcement on stage in the Theatre Royal, in Wexford.
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue
A native of Galway, he is survived by his wife Alma and three sons.
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, paid tribute to Mr Hynes.
"It is with great sadness and regret that I learned of the sudden and unexpected death of Jerome Hynes, director of the Wexford Festival Opera," the minister said.
"I worked closely with Jerome for many years, both as director of the Wexford Festival Opera and in more recent years in his role as deputy chairman of the Arts Council.
"His passing is a great shock to all in the arts community, both nationally and internationally, and I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Jerome's wife and family."
Mr Hynes graduated from NUI Galway before becoming administrator and then general manager of the Druid Theatre Company, which grew into a major international touring company under his management.
In 1988, he was appointed managing director, and later chief executive, of Wexford Festival Opera.
A prominent figure in Irish arts, he served as a member of the executive of the International Festivals Association, a judge in the Irish Times Theatre Awards, a director and vice president of Wexford Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
He also sat on the advisory board of Arts from Ireland at The Kennedy Centre, Washington, the board of Business 2 Arts and the board of directors of the National Concert Hall.
In 2003, he was appointed deputy chairman of the Arts Council and chairman of the Special Committee on the Traditional Arts.