Latest news with #TheLirAcademy
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Trinity approves two-year loan repayment hiatus for the acting academy that helped launch Paul Mescal's career
The confirmation of the loan hiatus to the end of the 2027 academic year for The Lir Academy comes as it confirmed it has received a record 600 applications for this year's 16-place bachelor of acting programme where Mescal learnt his acting craft. Asked if The Lir has enjoyed a 'Paul Mescal dividend' in terms of numbers applying, The Lir spokeswoman said: 'We did see a surge in numbers after the success of Normal People. This coincided with Brexit and the point at which we became the only English-speaking conservatoire in the EU. 'The continued success of Paul Mescal – along with numerous other graduates – has increased the awareness of our programmes and supported the trend of growth in application numbers.' In selecting the chosen few for the 16 places, The Lir stages auditions in Dublin or online over Zoom for the first two rounds for overseas applicants. The loan hiatus is confirmed in recently published TCD finance committee minutes of its April meeting. At the end of September 2023, The Lir firm, Trinity College Dublin Academy of Dramatic Art Co Ltd, owed €496,554 to the college. The firm recorded an income of €2.908m in 2023 and saw a modest surplus of €16,357. TCD provost Dr Linda Doyle is chairwoman of the finance committee and the minutes record that The Lir CEO Gemma Bodinetz highlighted the academy's strong financial performance, including projected fee income in 2024/25 and future increases. Commenting on the TCD approval of Lir's loan hiatus application, Ms Bodinetz said: 'The Lir Academy has an excellent record of financial performance and we recognise the act of faith that Trinity College Dublin has placed in us by agreeing to our request. 'The decision to request the hiatus was taken in order to allow for additional financial flexibility so that we can further realise our ambition to achieve significant strategic aims. 'Our intention is to invest the retained surpluses into staff salary increases, programme resources and to grow new revenue streams. This will mean we will be in an even more robust position to resume payments in 2027.'
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
600 apply for the 16 places on Trinity acting course that launched Paul Mescal's career
Record numbers have applied this year for the 16-place acting programme at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) that helped launch the stellar career of Gladiator II star Paul Mescal . The Lir Academy on Thursday confirmed that it has received 600 applications for its prestigious Bachelor in Acting course—a record and a 10% increase on the 545 applications received last year. Advertisement A spokeswoman for The Lir said: 'We did see a surge in numbers after the success of Normal People. This coincided with Brexit and the point at which we became the only English-speaking conservatoire in the EU. 'The continued success of Paul Mescal—along with numerous other graduates—has increased awareness of our programmes and supported the trend of growth in application numbers.' Paul Mescal, who was nominated for an Oscar, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2017 from The Lir Academy at Trinity College and rose to prominence with the April 2020 lockdown release of Normal People. Other notable Lir alumni include Alison Oliver, Zara Devlin, Clinton Liberty, Ella Lily Hyland, Éanna Hardwicke, Danielle Galligan, Frank Blake, Kwaku Fortune, Aggie O'Casey and Patrick Martins. Advertisement To select the 16 successful applicants, The Lir conducts auditions in Dublin or via Zoom in the first two rounds for overseas candidates. Confirmation of the record applicant numbers comes alongside the release of minutes from a TCD Finance Committee meeting, which confirm that Trinity has granted The Lir a two-year loan repayment hiatus. At the end of September 2023, The Lir (officially Trinity College Dublin Academy of Dramatic Art Company Limited) owed €496,554 to the college. The academy recorded an income of €2.908 million in 2023 and a modest surplus of €16,357. TCD Provost Dr Linda Doyle chairs the Finance Committee. The minutes record that The Lir CEO, Gemma Bodinetz, highlighted the academy's strong financial performance, including projected fee income for 2024/25 and further expected increases. Advertisement While The Lir is performing well, the committee noted that reinvestment in the academy is limited by the need to prioritise repayment of the working capital loan and to meet significant rises in utility and operational costs. Lifestyle Leaving Cert: Teacher says many students found tod... Read More In approving the loan hiatus request, the committee acknowledged The Lir's positive repayment history and prudent financial management. Commenting on the decision, Ms Bodinetz said: 'The Lir Academy has an excellent financial performance record, and we recognise the act of faith that Trinity College Dublin has placed in us by agreeing to our request. 'The decision to request the hiatus was taken to allow for additional financial flexibility so that we can further realise our ambition to achieve significant strategic aims. 'Our intention is to invest the retained surpluses in staff salary increases, programme resources, and new revenue streams. This will leave us in a more robust position to resume payments in 2027.'
Evening Standard
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Paul Mescal headlines National Theatre's bold new season as Stormzy debuts for ground-breaking collaboration
For the actor, the National Theatre season represents both a homecoming and a significant step forward in his already impressive career. Having trained at The Lir Academy in Dublin and earned early acclaim for stage work including The Plough and the Stars at the Lyric Hammersmith, the actor has long been regarded as one of Britain's most exciting theatrical talents.
