By Business & Finance 
Richard Tierney is a commercial professional with over 35 years of experience in the live entertainment and sports sectors. He joined St. Patrick’s Festival as Chief Executive Officer in July 2022, with a remit to develop and implement an ambitious strategy for growth and organisational sustainability for the festival.
By Héloïse Chaudot
What are your main priorities and goals for St. Patrick’s Festival post 2025?
As we move into St. Patrick’s Festival 2026, our priority is to cement St. Patrick’s Festival as not just Ireland’s top cultural event, but one of the world’s top cultural events while deepening its relevance at home and within the hearts of Ireland’s famous diaspora.
2025 was a monumental year for us, as we saw 15% economic growth vs 2024 (€138M revenue for the Irish economy) and 3% increase in footfall (1.2M in 2025), so there’s an upward trajectory that we want to continue upon.
Our 2026 – 2029 strategy focuses on delivering an unmissable festival programme, exceeding audience expectations, and strengthening stakeholder, community, and volunteer engagement with the support of the Irish Government.
In terms of actions, we of course aim to grow our international reach, expand our citywide footprint, champion inclusivity, and weave in sustainability across all operations, ensuring the festival remains a powerful driver of tourism, economic impact, and cultural expression.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
I would say the biggest challenge is balancing the scale and global expectations of the festival with the realities of operating as a not-for-profit arts organisation. Delivering a world-class event requires constant innovation, strong governance, and financial stability in a landscape of rising costs.
It might seem obvious, but it is also crucial to ensure we have the right resources, talent, and infrastructure to safely produce a festival that attracts over half a million people.
How do you keep your team/ staff motivated?
I think it’s of the utmost importance that as CEO, I lead by example when it comes to ensuring a culture of collaboration, respect and creativity, which are the pillars of motivation.
Of course, the festival’s mission naturally inspires people, and those people gravitate to our work, but we strengthen that by prioritising wellbeing, professional development, and clear communication.
What are the challenges facing the festival going forward?
Key challenges include rising production costs, increased pressure on city infrastructure (last year’s festival saw 550,000 attendees in the city), and the broader competition for tourist attention internationally. As the Festival grows, maintaining accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability becomes increasingly complex and expected
That said, these are good challenges to have as they highlight growth and a need to continually be on top of our game.
Finding the right partners for the Festival can be a challenge as we endeavour to create long-term, sustainable partnerships that celebrate Ireland all-year round.
With 60% of overseas attendees being first-time visitors to Ireland, there is increased pressure to highlight Ireland’s rich heritage in its entirety in a concentrated amount of time, but that’s when we must get creative, and that’s where the festival curators and partners shine.
What new trends are emerging in Irish events / live entertainment?
We’re seeing strong growth in immersive and interactive experiences, audience-led design, digital content extensions, and hybrid cultural engagement.
We also support the government’s continued implementation of Night-Time Economy Taskforce recommendations and expansion upon pilots such as Night-Time Economy Advisors, as a response to Dublin’s need for a more developed night-time economy that promotes our cultural vibrance / animation of the city and offering, while prioritising health & safety.
How do you define success, and what drives you to succeed?
I define success as delivering a festival where every participant has a memorable experience, attendee satisfaction improves year after year, the event is delivered on budget, and, above all, everyone returns home safely. What drives me is the privilege of being entrusted with the leadership of a national festival, and my determination to honour that trust.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
Two ears, one mouth.
What advice would you give to others starting out in business?
Be true to your beliefs and remember the tough days are tough, but the good days are brilliant.
What have been your highlights over the past three years at SPF?
Seeing the excitement of the performers/participants backstage before my first parade and then walking the route to my seat… I got overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
And by developing the relaxed parade space for neurodivergent families, and experiencing the joy they felt.
What’s next for the festival?
Well, we of course have the staples of the festival; The iconic parade, Céilí Mór, and city-wide activations that reflect the festival as a globally sought-after bucket list event, blending excellence, innovation, and a strong sense of place to deliver unforgettable moments.
What is the best book you’ve ever read (non-business) and why?
Open by Andre Agassi – a truly inspirational story of conflict, win at all costs and joy – one of my childhood heroes.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
My favourite hobbies include padel, squash and golf, as well as being outdoors and listening to music.
What is your mantra for life?
We’re here for a goodtime not a long time.
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