International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is run by an Executive Committee, all of whom give their services on a full volunteer basis.
The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (IDGTF) is a company limited by guarantee (Company registration number 409686). The people working on this either behind the scenes or in the public face include:
Robert (RC) Bates – Managing Director
R.C. has worked on our Tech Team since 2015 after relocating from the United States, and became Managing Director in 2024. In addition to managing the Festival, he manages the technical aspects of the Pearse Centre theatre, is a Technical Venue Manager for the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival and has worked for Home You Go Productions, Glass Mask Theatre, and No Drama Theatre in Dublin. Prior to relocating to Ireland he worked for more than a decade at St. Marks Players in Washington, DC, as both a board member and on productions. He was also the Legislative Director for Equality Maryland, an LGBT civil rights organisation.
Ivan Lynch – Treasurer & Company Secretary
Ivan joined us in 2015 having previously been a long-time supporter and patron of the Festival. He has served on various voluntary committees in the past and has over 20 years experience in the world of Corporate Accounting in Dublin, London and Sydney. A keen supporter of the Arts, he’s delighted to be able to put his skills to good use in overseeing the Corporate Governance of the Festival.
Derek O’Neill, Technical Coordinator
A long-time supporter of IDGTF, Derek took over as Technical Director for Festival 2016, a responsibility he shared with R.C. Bates though 2024. Derek has many years of experience in the arts and arts administration combined with a professional career as a senior medical scientist.
Gareth Hurley, Board Member
Gareth has been on the IDGTF executive committee for more than ten years, serving in a number of roles most recently as Company Secretary. He has also represented the Festival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a number of years. An IT professional he has experience in areas including web, social media, management and administration. He has a long time interest in theatre and the arts. He has previously been involved in a number of other festivals and university societies including the Dublin Fringe Festival as well as a regular attendee of arts festivals in Ireland and abroad.
Eimhear Ó Dalaigh – Volunteer Coordinator, Executive Committee
Eimhear brings extensive experience in theatre, festivals and volunteering to Festival 2022. Her previous experience includes Volunteer Coordinator for the Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival.
We are supported by our Board as well as over 40 volunteers annually.
Brian Merriman, Founder, Artistic Director Emeritus
Brian is one of Ireland’s leading producer/directors, and an accomplished actor, writer and singer in music and theatre at home and abroad. In all he now has over 360 productions to his credit. He has won many awards for directing, acting and singing at International Festivals including for Best Producer, Best Director, Best Show and Best Actor at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, The Association of Irish Musical Societies and The Northern Ireland Festival of Light Opera. Amongst other achievements, Brian devised, wrote and directed the biggest millennium night celebration in Ireland – 1000 artists, 15 hours of entertainment, culminating in an audience of 50,000 people on the Quay in Waterford. He has a strong commitment to diversity and equality in the arts and to date has sourced, developed and encouraged thousands of young artists and volunteers. He prioritises meaningful access to the arts by performers, writers, communities and audience.
