Moya Doherty receives RDS gold medal for enterprise

RTÉ chairwoman and ‘Riverdance’ co-creator first woman to be awarded the medal

RTÉ chairwoman and Riverdance co-creator Moya Doherty has become the first woman to be awarded the RDS gold medal for enterprise.

Ms Doherty received the award at a ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall on Wednesday.

Previous winners include businessman Peter Sutherland, former Intel chief executive Craig Barrett, IAG head Willie Walsh, Glen Dimplex founder Martin Naughton, Alltech founder Pearse Lyons and former Smurfit Kappa CEO and Arytza chairman Gary McGann.

Though synonymous with Riverdance, Ms Doherty's influence is far broader. She is a founding director of the independent production company Tyrone Productions, a founding director of Today FM radio station and a former chairwoman of the Dublin International Theatre festival.

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The RDS Gold Medal for Enterprise builds upon the founding aims of the RDS which is to actively promote excellence in key areas of Irish life. The recipient must have shown outstanding professional and leadership skills, and have an outstanding track record in business achievement which has contributed to employment and economic development in Ireland," said RDS chief executive Michael Duffy.

“Moya Doherty has amply displayed all of these qualities during her career and we are delighted to recognise her successes in this way.”

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor is a former Irish Times business journalist