Taoiseach appoints NUIG’s VP of Development to manage coronavirus campaign

By Sharon Dolan D’Arcy

NUI Galway’s Vice-President of Development John Concannon, has been appointed by the Taoiseach to manage the government’s public information campaign on coronavirus. 

This new role will involve coordinating the government communications across a range of departments and agencies for the coronavirus crisis. 

Mr Concannon has already commenced his new role, and said on Twitter today:

“I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Tony (Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer HSE). Unquestionable integrity, decency and yes, a really decent sound guy too”.

Mr Concannon, who is a graduate of NUI Galway has been Vice President of Development in the university since last year. He also works in a part-time capacity working with the UN Security Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Commenting on the appointment, a government spokesperson said: 

“As part of the Government’s communications response to Covid-19 and the escalating nature of the situation, John Concannon has been enlisted to specifically coordinate public information communications across Government and its agencies”. 

Previously, he was the marketing expert behind the Wild Atlantic Way, The Gathering and the 1916 commemorations. In recent years, he worked as head of the government’s controversial Strategic Communications Unit which was shut down in July 2018.

Locally, Mr Concannon previously worked as CEO of Ireland West Tourism, chairman of Cope Galway and of the Galway Age Friendly Initiative and is currently a board member of Connacht Rugby.