The Board of the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Cleary as the new Director/CEO of MoLI. The appointment follows an extensive national and international search process.

A collaboration between University College Dublin and the National Library of Ireland, MoLI is a landmark cultural institution in the heart of Ireland’s capital city and opened in September 2019 with support from Fáilte Ireland and the Naughton Foundation.

David Cleary is currently the Director of Sales & Operations for EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Dublin. He was previously Head of Sales for the museum and has also led the sales role for the Jeanie Johnston and The CHQ Building as an events venue.

In these roles, David worked in close collaboration with the EPIC Museum’s curators and marketing team over a six-year period which has seen a large expansion and growth in the museum’s activities.

David previously worked with Original Irish Hotels and has a depth of experience in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

He will take up his appointment as Director/CEO of MoLI in mid-February 2025.

Announcing the appointment, the chair of MoLI’s board, Geoffrey Keating said: “On behalf of the board of MoLI, and its founders University College Dublin and the National Library of Ireland, I am delighted to welcome David’s appointment.”

“David brings rich experience in leadership and strategic planning to this role, and we look forward to the continued growth of MoLI under his direction.”

“This is also an important occasion for us to pay warm tribute to the outgoing Director, Simon O’Connor. As the first director, appointed in 2017, Simon led the creation of MoLI from a concept to an indispensable part of the Irish cultural landscape; his creative vision and leadership have been vital to its success.”

Simon O’Connor’s work at MoLI has been recognised by many national and international awards, including the double award in 2023 of the prestigious Europa Nostra Award in the category of Citizen Engagement and Awareness-raising, and, in a first for an Irish cultural institution, the Jury Grand Prix.

Speaking of his appointment, David Cleary commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of Director/CEO of MoLI, an institution that celebrates the transformative power of storytelling and Ireland’s rich literary heritage.”

“I am committed to building on the remarkable achievements of Simon O’Connor and the entire team as we look to the future to foster inclusion, creativity and a deeper understanding of the written word.”

“My aim is to work closely with University College Dublin, the National Library of Ireland and the many donors, members and supporters of MoLI to bring the timeless beauty of literature to people from all walks of life.”