Solas Nua announces today that its Executive Director, Andrew Dolan, will step down from his position by the end of year. Over his three and a half years, Dolan reconceived the organization’s administration and nearly doubled its staff and budget.
“Being the Executive Director of Solas Nua has been one of the highlights of my career,” says Dolan. “I began my artistic career working with Irish artists in 2004 and it has been thrilling to reconnect with some of the best performance and writing coming out of Ireland. It’s been a tremendous honor to work with our artists and connect them with both D.C. audiences and international audiences while on tour in North America, and across the island of Ireland. We’re blessed with a staff and board who will go above and beyond to support what artists need.”
During his tenure, Solas Nua brought President Mary Robinson, Enda Walsh, Panti Bliss, and more to Washington, D.C., while Distillation, a co-production with The Abbey Theatre, toured Ireland, North America, and now heads to Australia. The Capital Irish Film Festival has grown year over year, and the 2026 Season was a multidisciplinary celebration of the organization’s 20th anniversary.
“Andrew’s leadership and vision have helped build an exceptionally strong foundation for Solas Nua's future,” said Brian Maney, Chair of the Solas Nua Board of Directors. “His commitment to empowering Irish artists, expanding our audience, and solidifying our administrative structure has left the organization in a position of remarkable strength. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are grateful for his dedication and wish him the very best in his next artistic chapter.”
Rex Daugherty, Solas Nua’s Artistic Director of Theatre, added, “I’ve seen Solas Nua through so many different periods in my time with the company, from our founder era to the current, and what Andrew has accomplished during his tenure has been an incredible period of growth, expansion, and sustainability. Throughout all of it he has led with a ‘people-first ethos’ that has been a huge inspiration to the staff and the artistic community. I’m so grateful to have shared this time with Andrew and I look forward to continuing that legacy of Irish hospitality.”
Dolan added, “While I will be moving on from the Executive Director role, I will still be here as a supporter and look forward to continuing my work with Irish artists as a director and designer. We are putting the final touches on our 22nd season, and I am excited to share it with you all in a few months.”
Solas Nua’s Board of Directors will soon announce a search for Dolan’s successor to lead the organization through its third decade.
