Artistic Director of Wexford Festival Opera David Agler has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of RCSI for his outstanding contributions to the arts in Ireland.

The Fellowship was conferred at a ceremony which took place at the College on St Stephen's Green.

The Honorary Fellowship of RCSI is the highest distinction the College bestows – recognising the outstanding achievement of the recipient in their field.

David Agler joins the ranks of RCSI Honorary Fellows which includes the late Seamus Heaney, Padraig Harrington, Sir Bob Geldof and Joe Schmidt.

Speaking at the event, Mr Kenneth Mealy, President of RCSI, said: "At RCSI, we recognise the contribution the arts can play in improving physical health and wellbeing, providing ways to nurture creativity, tackle social and health conditions, and support long healthy lives. We greatly admire David for his work cultivating the Wexford Festival Opera as a truly international festival.”

“With the unwavering support of the local community and the Arts Council of Ireland, the festival has flourished. David has led an ambitious festival that has explored the neglected and often obscure opera repertoire and continued to surprise and intrigue audiences. We applaud him for those achievements and celebrate his vision, determination and success over his 15 years in Wexford,” Mr Mealy concluded.

The Honorary Fellowship citation was delivered at the ceremony by Mr David Quinlan, RCSI Council Member, who recounted the highlights of David Agler’s career and legacy.