Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20hor would like help, or if you engage with the newsletter here on Bluesky instead, drop us a message to the page & we'll confirm the discount code for you. Pt 12/12 000
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20h6. Irish Equity has a discount code for a Cast and Crew #Wellbeing event on in the #TeachersClub on Saturday 24 Oct: www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-wellbe... The copy of the newsletter you received by email has the promo code. If you have access issues seeing it, Pt 11/12eventbrite.ie 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20hWe are also aware that the #KarshanRuling has impacted negatively on performers, when it comes to their tax status & we are hoping to sit down with Revenue to sort it out. This is not imminent but we’re working on it. Pt 10/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20hsee that the legislation is upheld. Tying #481funding to compliance with the legislation, would be a good first step. We are making some progress with one or two people in the relevant Departments & will continue to push this. Pt 9/12eventbrite.ie 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20h5. At present, our main focus is lobbying the Government to get them to understand that it’s not enough for copyright legislation to exist – it must be enforced. This burden must not fall on the performer, as the weaker party, to enforce it. It is up to the Government to Pt 8/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20hin order for members to feel more engaged & better represented. We’re analysing the results of the survey currently & will share this with you, as soon as possible. 4. We are also planning our Christmas get-together & will share those details, as soon as we can confirm date & venue. Pt 7/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20h3. Many thanks to all of you who filled out the survey on the subject of the Equity AGM. It was very helpful to have such detailed feedback on what was working & what wasn’t, as well as ideas on changes we could make, Pt 6/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20h• The #SIPTU Services Divisional Biennial Conference will be held in Wexford, on 12-13 Nov. Gerry O’Brien & members of the Executive are invited to attend. Pt 5/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20hspace of time & continues to do so. We’re currently behind the curve & we need to try and get ahead of it. • The #FIA Executive meeting will take place in Avignon, France, 14-15 Oct. This will be attended by Equity President Gerry O’Brien & our Youth Representative, Shane Griffin. Pt 4/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20h2. There are a couple of important meetings coming up: • A meeting took place on 30 Sep, between Irish Equity, #MUI & #Praxis, to develop an #Arts&CultureAIPolicy. I think we all agree that AI has seriously impacted on our industry in a frighteningly short Pt 3/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20hThis was a ‘listening’ forum, at which the invitees were encouraged to speak to their issues, within their individual sectors. We certainly made the most of this opportunity! Pt 2/12 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 20h1. On 8 Sep Gerry O’Brien & Jessica Freed attended a Workers’ Forum in Leinster House, organised by #PeopleBeforeProfit. Their aim was to bring workers’ priorities into focus, coming up to the new Dáil term. Pt 1/12 111
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The great tour has now come to its conclusion and the final get out has been completed. Rest well, Julian. Gerry O’Brien President, Irish Equity on behalf of the executive and membership. 8 of 8 000
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026To his family Danny and Gemma, son-in-law Eoghan and daughter-in-law Emer, his partner Caroline, sister Gail, we offer our deepest sympathies and to his friends and all those who had the great good fortune to have known him, our condolences. 7 of 8 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026I can just see him standing there with that look on his face that said ‘right, lets get it up and running’. Some journey, from Ballyhaunis to Beijing. Our community has lost one of our greats. The quiet power behind all that we achieve dancing in the light. 6 of 8 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026In 1995 the phenomenon Riverdance opened at the Point Theatre and began its Global adventure with Julian at its helm as Executive Producer. In 2003 Riverdance was the first ever western international production invited to play inside the iconic Great Hall of the People. 5 of 8 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Numerous performers and young ASM’s had the privilege of working with Julian and his team. There were no problems for Julian during a complex get-in, only solutions delivered in his usual calm manner. 4 of 8 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026His time with the Irish Theatre Company, founded in 1974, saw him oversee productions on practically every stage in Ireland, and even in some towns that didn’t even have a stage, until that company's demise in 1983. 3 of 8 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026He stage-managed productions on all the major stages of the country. Generations of performers when they walked into the rehearsal room breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Julian sitting at the stage management table because they knew they were in safe hands. 2 of 8 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Irish Equity are deeply saddened at the passing of Julian Erskine. Julian’s career as a stage manager began in the 1970’s working with the major companies of the time when he was still in his teens. He was a consummate stage manager, stage director and production manager. 1 of 8 101
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026A real-terms cut of over 40% to Arts Council Northern Ireland funding over the past 10 years has deeply impacted artists, producers and communities. 17 of 17 #UnionStrong #ColleaguesSupportingColleagues 000
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026At just £5.07 per head in 2023/24, Northern Ireland Arts Council (ACNI) receives the lowest per capita arts council funding of anywhere in the UK - less than half that of the second-lowest, Wales. 16 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026A budget of £21.27 million for 2026/27 is the level identified by ACNI in February 2026 as necessary to stabilise core infrastructure, strengthen support for individual artists, improve regional distribution and enhance organisational capacity. 15 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026In 2025, the Minister promised an Arts Policy. On 3 July 2025 the Committee for Communities also requested that the Minister create an arts and culture strategy and secure proper funding for the arts. This has not taken place. 14 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026In 2025, the ACNI stated that “The arts budget continues to present significant challenges to the sector and to the Arts Council’s ability to meet the needs of artists, arts organisations and their audiences.” 13 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Gordon Lyons was appointed Communities Minister - a role which covers arts and culture – in February 2024. The Arts Council Northern Ireland provided a 10-year plan for the arts between 2024-2034, which the Communities Minister chose not to sign off. 12 of 17 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026He has failed and the Assembly is continuing to fail artists and our communities. We say Save the Arts, end the funding crisis, and bring forward a policy for the arts now.” 11 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026“Equity is sending a strong message of No Confidence in Gordon Lyons as Minister responsible for the arts. His abject failure to address the crisis in funding and set out a policy for the arts is a dereliction of his duty. 10 of 17 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Alice Adams Lemon, Equity Official for Northern Ireland, said: “Artists across Northern Ireland are losing their jobs and communities are being badly impacted. Gordon Lyons keeps promising an arts policy, but while arts and culture suffer he still fails to deliver. 9 of 17 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/202610:45: Photoshoot at the ‘apron’ outside Stormont 11-13:30: artists holding meetings with their MLAs 14:00: Action takers in the public gallery for Ministers Questions to hear the question on arts funding crisis Photography and interviews available on request. 8 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Schedule for Tuesday 8 September: 10am for 10:15: Meet at main entrance on Upper Newtownards Road (A20). 10:15: Photoshoot followed by walk up Prince of Wales Avenue to Stormont 7 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Organised by performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, the action is timed to coincide with Ministerial Questions, where Gordon Lyons, who is responsible for Arts and Culture under the Northern Ireland Communities brief, will be quizzed at his Question Time in Stormont. 6 of 17 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026They will assemble for a photo opportunity before entering Stormont for meetings with their local MLAs and sitting in the public gallery for Ministerial Questions, where Gordon Lyons is expected to be asked about the arts funding crisis. 5 of 17 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026arts funding cuts and the delivery of a long-promised arts policy. The Northern Ireland creatives will walk up to the palace of Stormont holding campaign placards and a letter of no confidence. 4 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Actors, dancers, musicians, theatre directors, stage managers, cabaret performers, visual artists and more will descend on Stormont on Tuesday 8 September to issue a message of No Confidence in Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, while demanding an end to 3 of 17 110
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026It is sad that the dedicated talented and passionate creators who bring so much to their communities are forced to take such drastic action. Creatives to protest at Stormont Artists will deliver No Confidence letter in Communities Minister and demand NI arts funding and policy 2 of 17 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Irish Equity stands with our colleagues and fellow creatives on their day of action on Tuesday September 8th. It is deplorable that the Arts community in Northern Ireland are subject to such under investment. 🧵 1 of 17 111
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Our next bulletin will be in September. See you all there. 18 of 18 000
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026We urge you to continue to support your President and the Executive, so that together we can achieve what we know is possible. If you wish to help Equity and/or the Executive in anyway, if you have any skills or contacts that would help the Union, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 17 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026negotiating agreements, lobbying where necessary, supporting our community and doing our best to manage with the finite resources available to us. However, none of this can come to full fruition without your engagement. A union – any union – is only as strong as its members. 16 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026The Executive, including the President, is made up entirely of actors and theatre professionals – the same as every other member of the union. This Executive has and will continue to work very hard on your behalf, by fighting to enhance and enforce our collective rights, 15 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026In conclusion… As an affiliate of SIPTU, Irish Equity has a Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield and an Administrator, Andrea Holmes – both of whom work very hard on our behalf. It is worth remembering, however, that members of the Equity Executive are not paid trade union officials. 14 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026If you get no reply, forward the letter on to the co-producers. No amount of effort on Equity’s part will move this forward, without the involvement of its members. The producers need to be receiving these requests en masse, in order for legislation to have any practical effect. 13 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026All you need to do, is to include your own name, the name of the film or television project you worked on, your name – or your agent’s – at the end of the letter and email it to the relevant producer. In the case of a co-production, send your letter to the Irish producer first. 12 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026If you haven’t done so already, please send (or ask your agent to send) the transparency letter, which you will have received recently. It’s imperative that the members actively seek the transparency to which they’re entitled. The letter is a template, which makes it very easy. 11 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026as they already exist in legislation, is ongoing. The Government’s passive resistance, when it comes to getting tough with producers who flout this legislation, is one of our biggest obstacles. This is where we need your help. 10 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026All creatives must stand together against it. Equity is working with our fellow unions, MUI and Praxis, to ensure that we can stand strong on this issue. Enforcement of existing copyright legislation: Our effort to ensure the enforcement of performers’ rights, 9 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026The Bill was passed unopposed. Our job now remains, as always, to make sure that any regulation that reigns in this existential threat to our livelihoods – and indeed humanity – is strictly enforced. The danger of a dystopian future, where AI flattens out all human creativity, is very real. 8 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026brought by Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on the Arts, Aengus O’Snodaigh, calling for the protection of all artists against the threat of AI. It was warmly and eloquently supported by all Opposition TDs. Government TDs also spoke in its favour - albeit with far less passion. 7 of 18 100
Irish Equity @irishequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Protection of Artists against the threat of AI: On Tuesday the 14th of July, Irish Equity President, Gerry O’Brien, members of the Executive and other Equity members, joined musicians, writers, artists and members of the Oireachtas for a Dáil debate on a Private Members Bill, 6 of 18 100
