Garry Hynes founded Druid in 1975 and has worked as its Artistic Director from 1975 to 1991, and from 1995 to date. From 1991 to 1994 she was Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

Born in Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon in 1953 Garry moved to Galway with her family in 1965. In 1971, she started an Arts Degree (History & English) in University College, Galway, now NUI Galway. Upon leaving college in 1975, Garry founded Druid Theatre with Marie Mullen and Mick Lally.

Garry has also worked with The Abbey and Gate Theatres (Ireland) and internationally with The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Royal Court (UK), and with Second Stage, Signature Theater and Manhattan Theater Club in New York; and with The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.