Age & Opportunity is pleased to announce the appointment of two new curators for the Bealtaine Festival 2026-2029: Valerie Bistany as Literature Curator and Billy McGrath as Performing Arts Curator. They will join Anne Hendrick, who continues in her role as Visual Arts Curator, a position she has held since 2023.
These appointments reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to artistic excellence and to celebrating the creativity of older people through a diverse and inclusive national programme.
Valerie Bistany brings over 30 years of international experience in arts management, programming, and strategic development. She has worked with leading organisations including Dance Ireland, Dublin Youth Theatre, and the Abbey and Pavilion Theatres. Most recently, she served as Director/CEO of the Irish Writers Centre (2013–2024), and now works independently across the arts sector. She currently serves on the boards of the Dublin Book Festival and the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.
Billy McGrath has been a pioneering figure in Ireland’s cultural and media landscape since the late 1970s. His work spans live performance, television, and documentary production, with credits including RTÉ, Channel 4, and Windmill Lane. He is the founder of Sideline Productions and has recently returned to the stage with his one-man show GUSTO, alongside producing acclaimed documentaries such as Citizens of Boomtown and Ballroom Blitz.
Anne Hendrick, who has curated the visual arts strand of Bealtaine since 2023, brings a strong contemporary visual arts perspective to the festival. Her continued involvement ensures continuity and depth in the festival’s visual arts programming.
Together, the curatorial team will shape the artistic vision of Bealtaine 2026, building on the festival’s legacy as Ireland’s leading celebration of creativity in older age.
Read more about our full festival team here:
