Ray O’Donoghue

Current Role

Ray O'Donoghue was appointed Dublin City Council's Nighttime Economy Advisor in April 2024, becoming the city's first person to hold this role. The position was born after a 2021 report from the Council's Night-Time Economy Taskforce, established during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on expanding the city's economy between 18:00 and 06:00. In this capacity, he works closely with Dublin City Council, the Department of Culture, and key stakeholders, incorporating public opinions through Your Dublin, Your Voice surveys.

Now two years into the role, O'Donoghue has studied what similar night-time advisers in other European cities have achieved. His major achievement includes launching the Dublin City Night-time Economy Strategy in October 2024, built around three core pillars: safety, transport and mobility, and cultural activity.

Career History

• Festival and Events Director (25 years immersed in festival and events world, including 15 years with Sea Sessions)
• Director of Sea Sessions festival in Bundoran, County Donegal (from 2012) — stepped down in 2025 to focus full-time on Dublin City Council role
• Promoter of Coastal Beats festival from 1999 for approximately five to six years
• DJ (kicked off career 30 years ago, playing in clubs including The Kitchen, Pod, and Rí Rá)
• Musician, actor, and comedian
• Events company operator running various events and activations with festivals

Known For

O'Donoghue is known for helping Sea Sessions become one of the most successful festivals in the country. As Night-Time Economy Advisor, he has become known for merging culture, safety, and public engagement to revitalize Dublin's nightlife. Recent projects he has supported include Brigid Late, Comedy Culture In The Capital, and Nocturnal Beats.

What O'Donoghue could bring to his Night Mayor role: With three decades of experience in Dublin's nighttime entertainment sector, O'Donoghue brings operational festival management expertise, stakeholder coordination experience from working with councils, gardaí, planning authorities, and residents, and deep knowledge of the music, DJ, and events promotion landscape. His ability to establish himself as a bridge between cultural institutions and city governance positions him to drive tangible on-the-ground change for Dublin's 24-hour economy.