Dublin is a city of creatives, of singers, musicians and actors. That’s why it’s no wonder that there are several great theatres, often with beautiful architectural traits. From classic Shakespeare interpretations to modern plays, from concerts to dance performances, you’ll find something for every taste. So when you’re visiting Dublin, a visit to a theatre is certainly worth it. In this post, we’ll let you know where to find the best ones in the city.
Abbey Theatre on Lower Abbey Street
Located right in the heart of Dublin, Abbey Theatre is a cornerstone of the city’s cultural identity. It was founded in 1904, has a capacity of 492 guests and hosted famous playwrights like W. B. Yeats, Lady Gregory and John Millington Synge. As the first state-subsidized theatre in the English speaking world it is also Ireland’s National Theatre until today. What can you expect today? A mixture of classical and contemporary Irish plays as well as international works. And if you’re interested in getting creative yourself, you can also attend workshops in the theatre building.
Gate Theatre on Cavendish Row
This theatre building was part of the New Assembly Rooms before it was founded in 1928. The impressive front of the building invites you into an elegant and intimate theatre. The Gate tends to lean into more experimental and avant-garde theatre styles which it combines with Irish productions. Here, the main focus is art, craft and boundary-pushing performances. The theatre has a capacity of 371 guests.Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Grand Canal Square
With 2,111 seats, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre is Ireland’s largest fixed-seat theatre and with that size also the only one to be able to host major London West-End shows. That’s why here, you can see international touring productions, big dance shows, musicals and concerts. During those performances there’s also often a bigger cast and more elaborate staging.3Olympia Theatre on Dame Street
This theatre is one of the prettiest ones you’ll find in Dublin. Mostly, it hosts concerts from national and international acts, but it also does theatre and comedy. That the Olympia is one of the main addresses in Dublin for creatives is also shown by the list of prominent guests it already hosted: In its almost 150 years of being a theatre and concert venue, the building has seen names like Charlie Chaplin, David Bowie, R.E.M., the Foo Fighters and many many more.
Gaiety Theatre on South King Street
Also absolutely stunning from the inside with several circles and balconies to find your seats on, Gaiety Theatre mainly hosts musical and operatic productions as well as dramatic shows. It is situated right in the centre of Dublin near Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green. It was founded in 1871, has a capacity of about 2000 people and was even host to the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, the first one to take place in Ireland.Before you visit the theatres in Dublin
You want to visit one or more of Dublin’s theatres during your stay? Great decision! Best check for shows before you arrive, as big shows, festivals or the smaller venues often sell out. However, if you want to stay spontaneous, a visit to the box office on the day of the performance can still be successful and sometimes even get you a great deal. If you need extra steps regarding accessibility, such as wheelchair access or hearing loops, also keep an eye out for those when booking seats. And then have fun getting to know the cultural, creative and performative side of Dublin!Image sources:
Header: Denise Jans on Unsplash
1: Warre Van de Wouwer on Unsplash
2: Luis Gherasim on Unsplash
3: Ludovic Migneault on Unsplash