Trinity College Dublin has approved a two-year hiatus on loan repayments for The Lir Academy, the esteemed acting school that counts Paul Mescal among its alumni.
This decision aims to provide the academy with financial flexibility to invest in staff salaries, programme resources, and new revenue streams.
The Lir Academy has experienced a surge in applications, receiving a record 600 for its 16-place Bachelor of Acting programme this year. This increase is attributed to the success of graduates like Mescal and the academy's status as the only English-speaking conservatoire in the EU post-Brexit.
View this post on Instagram
At the end of September 2023, The Lir owed Trinity €496,554. The academy reported an income of €2.908 million in 2023, with a surplus of €16,357. The loan repayment pause, confirmed in Trinity's April finance committee meeting, will extend until the end of the 2027 academic year.
CEO Gemma Bodinetz expressed gratitude for Trinity's support, stating, "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."
This move is expected to strengthen The Lir's position in the performing arts sector and support the development of future talent.
Tune in to World Wide Reb, weekday mornings at 8.45am on 98FM's Big Breakfast for all the latest entertainment news 🎬
