Ms Marie Donnelly, chairwoman of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, tendered her resignation to the Minister yesterday after a week of controversy concerning the appointment of a director.

On Monday night the board of the IMMA voted, by seven votes to two, to invite Dr Brian Kennedy to accept the position as director.

The two directors who voted against, favouring a further search for a director while continuing to consider Dr Kennedy, Mr Niall Crowley and Ms Terry Prone, then resigned.

Ms Donnelly's resignation was accepted yesterday by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Ms de Valera will now appoint two directors to replace those who have resigned, and a new chairman of the board.

In her letter of resignation Ms Donnelly said that the candidate chosen by the board, Dr Brian Kennedy, had declined the offer.

"His decision is understandable given the controversy that has already been created," she said.

She also said: "I was, at an early stage in the process, made aware of your personal views about Dr Kennedy's candidature.

"I am completely dismayed and astonished at the events that have transpired which have caused enormous damage to a very fine individual and to the museum itself.

"In my tenure as chairman my sole concern has been to ensure that the museum can fulfil its remit and that it would have a director of international standing with the breadth of vision needed to realise its great potential.

"In view of what has happened with regard to Dr Kennedy's candidature I am forced to the conclusion that there is nothing further I can do to advance the interests of the museum.

"I wish, therefore, to resign both as chairman and as director of the museum with immediate effect."

In her letter accepting the resignation Ms de Valera added: "For the record, I wish to categorically refute the statement in the second paragraph of your letter of resignation. At no stage in the process have I expressed to you or to anyone else any view on the candidature of anybody, or of Dr Kennedy in particular."

Ms Donnelly also made public yesterday her letter to Mr Peter Cassells, who intervened in the controversy during the week to challenge her version of the interview process.

"I fail to see how your position has been misrepresented as you allege," she said, pointing out that she had said he stood by the minute of the final panel meeting.