Áine Hensey, a Board member in ITMA since 2018, has worked in broadcasting since 1979, beginning with RTÉ Radio 2 (now 2FM). She spent a period in Radio 1 and Clare FM before joining Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1995.

Áine has been a broadcaster since 1979. She began her career with RTÉ Radio 2 (now 2FM), and worked with Radio 1 and Clare FM before joining Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1995. Best known as a presenter and producer of traditional Irish music programmes (Heather Breeze, Sunday Folk, the Mist-Covered Mountain, Mind the Dresser, Béal Maidine, An Ghaoth Aniar, the Late Session, Binneas Béil, An Ghealach Ghorm and more) she has also been involved in the production of current affairs, sport, and history shows at both local and national levels. Most recently, she produced the flagship Raidió na Gaeltachta series of debates on the legacy of 1916. She is a regular contributor to programmes on TG4 and has acted as a script consultant on Geantraí, Gradaim Ceoil TG4 and other productions. She was a member of the selection panel for the Gradam Ceoil awards.

Áine has many years of experience in the field of arts administration and public relations, having worked with the renowned youth festival, Slógadh, from the late 1970s. She has been musical director of Éigse Mrs Crotty in Kilrush, project animator with Oidhreacht an Chláir, and, since 2014, co-director of Consairtín, the national concertina convention. She has previously served as cathaoirleach of Gael-Linn and is currently a member of the steering group of Music Generation Clare. She was awarded a PhD in early modern history from Maynooth University in 2012.

Commenting on her new role, she said: “I am deeply honoured to be taking up the position of chairperson of the Irish Traditional Music Archive. ITMA plays a hugely important role in serving the traditional arts community in Ireland and around the world. Access to the important collections and materials housed in ITMA is intrinsic to the health of a living tradition and I am hugely excited by the significant developments taking place in terms of increased in-house digitisation, accessibility through a new website and engagement with the broader arts community. ITMA is no longer the preserve of those fortunate enough to be present in Merrion Square, the Archive is being taken to the world digitally,which helps underpin the transmission of the tradition.

“I’d like to thank outgoing chair Brian Montague who has overseen a period of rapid change within ITMA, particularly in terms of internal structures and processes along with the implementation of ITMA’s ambitious 2019-2023 five-year strategy.

“I’d also like to thank the Arts Council for its unstinting support for ITMA and its activities since 1987 and to our other funders and supporters, the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Heritage Council, the OPW, Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Also to our partners in TG4, RTÉ and the National Concert Hall.”

Outgoing chairperson Brian Montague said: “It was a particular privilege for me personally to have served ITMA both as a Board member since 2014 and as Chair since 2018 and to see the positive developments in the organisation as a critical resource for the community of Irish music, song and dance.

“The appointment of Director Liam O’Connor in 2019 was, I believe, a significant milestone for ITMA. His vision for the future of the Archive, the process of transferring the physical to digital, the democratisation of access to the rich materials we hold, the development of ITMA’s artistic programming and the planned restructuring of ITMA’s home as a fit-for-purpose public-facing resource for the traditional arts are enormously encouraging.

“I was delighted to play a part in supporting this process and I wish Áine the very best in her new role. I would also like to thank the Board members who served alongside me during my tenure and the ITMA staff who continue to realise the organisation’s strategic goals. And a particular thanks to the musicians and collectors who contribute so much to the collective health of our great tradition.”

Said ITMA Director Liam O’Connor: “On behalf of ITMA staff and the community we serve, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Brian Montague who gave so generously of his time, organisational expertise, and leadership skills during his tenure as Chair. By any barometer, Brian led the Board and organisation through a period of very significant growth, success and development. Brian is a passionate traditional musician whose business and governance acumen and experience contributed greatly to the shaping and successful delivery of ITMA’s Strategy 2019-23. Brian will forever occupy a very important place in the history of the Archive.

“Bá mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do Áine Hensey a thofadh mar Chathaoirleach nua TCDÉ. Is duine fíor-cumasach í le réimse leathain taithí ar ghnéithe éagsúla de na healaíon traidisiúnta. Áine is widely recognised and respected as a highly skilled leader and advocate for the traditional arts community. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure that the organisation goes from strength to strength in the coming years.”